Property experts reveal where to buy ….
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales
What’s the attraction?
Talk to anyone who has visited Pembrokeshire and it won’t be long before they refer to the national park as the ‘new Cornwall’. They have a point – Pembrokeshire Coast NP has the wild, untamed beauty of the South West, yet it hasn’t sold its soul to gastro pubs.
It is heaven for outdoorsy types. Quite apart from the glorious coastal path with its beaches and views of dolphins and whales, there is sailing, fishing, riding, hill climbing in the Preseli Mountains and great surfing at Whitesands Bay.
The housing stock is diverse, ranging from bungalows to farmhouses and grand Georgian residences. They are good value, too. The average house in Pembrokeshire cost £253,000 last year compared to £373,000 in North Cornwall.
However, Carol Peett of West Wales Property Finders http://www.westwalespropertyfinders.co.uk offers a warning: ‘The beauty of the national park is preserved by the stringent planning restrictions. It’s worth consulting the planning department if you are buying a property that you hope to extend.’
Where to buy: Narberth
If you are moving to the Pembrokeshire coast full-time you may find some villages too remote, particularly in winter. Better to settle a couple of miles inland in the buzzy little town of Narbeth.
The town has good sports facilities, a butchers, bakers and greengrocers, all in a picture postcard setting with a strong community feel. They gather together in the swimming pool they saved from closure and Hwb, the food hall and tap room converted from a derelict school. Don’t ignore Ultracomida, a wine bar hidden behind a deli that has a noisy, Spanish vibe.
There is a thriving arts scene – The Queens Hall attracts performers of the calibre of Rhod Gilbert – and it’s a good place to bring up children. It is worth noting, however, that Narbeth Community Primary (rated good by Estyn, the Welsh Ofsted) is bilingual and two nearby secondaries are both Welsh speaking. All this and not a mention of the Grove at Narbeth, the local hotel that makes the travel reviewers come over all faint.
Getting about: Trains get you to Carmarthen in half an hour and to Swansea in one hour and 15 minutes. London Paddington is another 2 hours 45 minutes down the line. It’s just over a two-hour drive to the Severn Bridge, depending on traffic near Newport.
Property: The average price of a house sold in Narbeth last year was £234,000. A detached home cost on average £308,000 and a terraced property £175,000.
The Daily Mail – Monday, 4th November 2024 – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-14015725/best-places-live-retirees-Britain-national-parks-London-family-homes.html
If you are looking to move to Pembrokeshire, or buy a property there or in West Carmarthenshire or South Ceredigion, give West Wales Property Finders a call on 01834 862816. We can find your perfect property for us whilst saving you time, stress and often money too. We have access to properties that often never hit the open market.
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