PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: Inside a £1.625m Victorian former vicarage with 1.7 acres of grounds

A remarkable piece of Welsh history has come to the property market — and this isn’t your average family home.

Swiss Gables, in Dyffryn near Neath, is a Grade II listed former vicarage dating back to 1881, and is now on the market for £1.625 million.

Set in approximately 1.7 acres of private landscaped grounds, the striking Victorian residence occupies an elevated position surrounded by mature trees, woodland and rolling countryside.

And its appearance certainly makes it stand out.

With steeply pitched roofs, ornate gables, decorative bargeboards and impressive chimney stacks, the property takes its architectural inspiration from the Swiss chalet style, giving it a distinctive appearance rarely seen on the South Wales property market. (Rightmove⁠)

The property was commissioned by philanthropist Howel Gwyn and designed by architect Henry Ward, with the original Victorian craftsmanship still evident throughout the house.

Inside, there’s a grand entrance hall with 11-foot ceilings, original encaustic tiled flooring and a pitch-pine staircase, alongside a collection of original fireplaces, ornate cornicing and mahogany-framed windows.

The main accommodation includes seven bedrooms, three reception rooms and three kitchens, spread over three floors, offering plenty of flexibility for modern family living.

There’s also a bespoke country-style kitchen, while the upper floors feature generously proportioned bedrooms with original fireplaces and high ceilings.

But perhaps one of the property’s most interesting features is its substantial self-contained secondary accommodation.

Complete with its own farmhouse-style kitchen, bedrooms and a dramatic double-height living space known as the “Cwtch”, it could potentially provide space for multi-generational living, guests or other uses, subject to the relevant permissions.

Outside, the property arguably becomes even more impressive.

The approximately 1.7-acre grounds include extensive lawns, mature trees, landscaped gardens, far-reaching countryside views, ample off-road parking and stable facilities.

The result is a property that combines the grandeur and character of a Victorian country residence with the flexibility expected from a modern home.

At £1,625,000, Swiss Gables is certainly aimed at the higher end of the market — but for anyone looking for a distinctive home with history, land and plenty of space, it is a rather special proposition.

Property of the Week: Swiss Gables, Dyffryn, Neath
Price: £1,625,000
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 3
Property type: Grade II listed detached former vicarage
Grounds: Approximately 1.7 acres
Council Tax: Band H
EPC: E

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