The ‘one of a kind’ property renovation with sunken courtyard garden that was once two cottages

If you adore beautiful cottage interior design and a home packed full of character features, then Lion Cottage is going to make you roar with delight. And even if cottages and period design is not your thing, you can still surely marvel at the way this property has been transformed into a modern home with classic cottage elements and some surprises too – and they start before you even go inside.

It’s not only grand country houses that can boast a sweeping, statement staircase, Lion Cottage has one too, except this one is on the outside. It gives any visitor the overwhelming desire to run up them and rush into this period gem to discover more.

The external staircase is one of the many elements that make this cottage so special, and don’t worry because the house also has internal stairs, so when the estate agent selling this amazing abode describes it as ‘one of a kind’ it’s likely most people will agree.

READ MORE: ‘We’re converting a 500-year-old church into our dream upside-down house’

According to Cadw’s website the home was once two cottages, described as being single storey with a basement.

The two properties were designated a Grade II listing in 1990 for their group value as a whole, which of course it is now – one whole home. And even Cadw are captivated by this cottage, calling it ‘picturesque’ within their description.

This most attractive of properties is thought to date back to around 1780 and is nestled within the maze of character packed, small winding streets and squares of Dolgellau, Gwynedd, next to a quaint church and opposite The Grand Lion Royal Hotel.

The cottage is just around the corner from all the charming independent shops and places to socialise within the town, that is found within the striking beauty of Snowdonia National Park.

Website Visit Snowdonia states that Dolgellau is not only a town that is a very handy base from which to explore the national park, but that it is going places too.

The site states: “Its go-ahead attitude is reflected in an ever-improving range of local events and festivals, outdoor activities and places to stay and eat.

“But Dolgellau’s natural resources remain its number-one asset. The handsome, dark-stoned market town is set beneath Cader Idris, the legendary ‘Chair of Idris’, on the approach to the beautiful Mawddach Estuary.”

But there’s so much beauty to admire back at the cottage too, so forget hills and hiking for now and start exploring the lower level of this pretty home.

Entering from the sunken courtyard garden at the lower ground floor and there’s a feast of yummy features and delicious decors to satisfy your visual hunger.

The agent states the cottage has been sympathetically refurbished, retaining many character features including sash windows, window shutters, exposed beams, and painted wooden flooring and is immaculately presented throughout.

A substantial section of this lower ground floor is occupied by a stunning kitchen diner that has another surprise – an English Rose kitchen – it’s not the country cottage kitchen you might have been expecting, but it is a fabulous surprise.

The English Rose kitchen was designed in the late 1940s, grew in popularity during the 1950s and the distinctive design is credited by some people as being the first modular ‘fitted’ kitchen.

It was born out of Warwickshire-based company Constant Speed Airscrews (CSA) having a surplus of aluminium and an idle workforce and machinery, after their work manufacturing parts for spitfires and Lancaster bomber aircraft diminished.

Lion cottage can boast a gunmetal grey English Rose kitchen that extends along one wall of this generous space.

There’s a very pleasing log burner at one end of the room that is nestled within the chunky chimney breast with a stone mantel above that is a bit of a beast.

In the corner, next to the door out to the courtyard, is another classic kitchen design with the addition of a free-standing blue 1950s kitchen cupboard.

The room easily has enough space for a dining area and from there you can admire the extra character of the cottage, from the thickness of the exterior walls to the exposed beams.

The grey slate floor is a classic cottage choice and the sheen to its surface helps to bounce light around and add visual impact when combined with the grey kitchen units.

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At the other end of the kitchen diner is a cosy seating area with feature window shutters framed by exposed wooden lintels.

On this lower floor there is one of the three bedrooms with its own door to the outside and its own interior design style, combining a classic wrought iron bed with restful tones that include a juicy berry accent and tactile fabrics on the bed, floor and at the window.

The mix of heritage green and soft creams in this bedroom are the main shades that run throughout most of the cottage, along with berry and blue accents, the layering of fabrics and textures and vintage, timeless furniture.

Although each room has its own personality and design, each room is a harmonious member of the overall, over-arching interior design that is effortlessly singing ‘fantastic flow’ between the spaces.

The addition of a classic set of upcycled pine drawers and a Lloyd Loom chair ensures this room oozes country and vintage charm, complemented by the characterful internal doors that boast classic ironmonger that links to the black bedframe and radiator.

This bedroom has a handy ensuite that has the most pleasing of tactile stone walls, a section of the exterior wall that has been white-washed.

Up some steps and along a corridor, which is the entrance of the cottage if you take the stone staircase outside, there’s a sitting room that is another social hub of the home.

With a stunning wooden fireplace housing a log burner as the focal point for the sofas and chairs to crowd around, the room oozes country cottage charm.

Timeless, traditional furniture are the added stars of the show, that bring in tactile textures and cool, pale blue shades and warm, berry tones to the space.

Up some more stairs and there’s an attic studio to discover which is currently being used as a home office and studio. There are plenty of quirky features to revel in within this space, including cute arched doorways into the eaves. The painted floor with feature stencil can grab your attention below and exposed, lime-washed beams above can easily demand you look too.

There are stone walls wearing the soft shade of cream found elsewhere in the cottage, plus a sweet window at floor level that looks out over the winding streets of Dolgellau. A landing then takes you to two more bedrooms with one designated as the master as it can boast an ensuite.

Again the green and cream palette of tones, tactile textures and timeless designs are in evidence. There’s more vintage furniture too, upcycled to revive it and painted to bring it seamlessly into the colour scheme. The room is welcoming and warm, cosy and comfortable and can offer a stylish ensuite too.

There’s no let up in the careful thought brought to the interior design of this house, even in one of the smallest spaces like the master bedroom ensuite.

In here, the green tone is on the floor via painted floorboards and the soft grey tiles and splash of teal via the towels and wall cupboard add another layer of shades, no doubt influenced by the absorbing blue tones of the artwork on the wall.

The space above the toilet is an awkward one to manage, with most people probably rescuing it from blandness by putting up a mirror – but not in this one of a kind home. The cupboard that fits beautifully into the alcove has successfully made this spot arguably the star focus of the room.

Then to the final room, and the final bedroom. Of course it’s a stunning composition of design and decor because it fits seamlessly into the whole wonderful interiors scheme and updated renovation of this most gorgeous of properties.

Lion cottage is for sale for offers in the region of £350,000 with estate agent Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, call the Dolgellau branch on 01341 422278 to find out more. And to make sure you never miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, which is sent out to your inbox twice a week.