A charming period property in a rural Welsh village, yet with city, seaside and airport all in easy reach
The Old Vicarage combines elegant interiors with lush grounds in a rural village within easy reach of Cardiff International Airport.


It's not easy finding homes which tick both the 'rural idyll' and 'easily accessible' boxes on the buyer's checklist, but this place does a fine job. Within 2¼ acres of gardens and grounds in the vibrant village of Penmark, the Old Vicarage offers a slice of country life close to the market town of Cowbridge and within easy reach of Cardiff International Airport. There's even seaside at hand, in the form of the old-school bucket-and-spade spot at Barry Island just a few minutes away.
Dressed in Welsh stone and slate, this elegant period property is for sale through Watts & Morgan at an asking price of £1.35 million.
A gabled porch leads to the impressive interiors, which span more than 4,500sq ft.
Each of the three reception rooms has beautiful details, from the fine fireplace in the magnificent drawing room to the panorama in the sitting room, which looks out on the grounds from two sides, and the dining room, which has a large bay window.
The kitchen and breakfast room has kept intact the original servants’ bell and even the utility room has something special — the original bread oven.
Upstairs are five bedrooms, including the large master suite, which comes with a stylish bathroom and its own dressing room, while the basement cellar provides excellent storage space.
The property is perfectly suited for family living, with extensive interior space and grounds that offer a mix of lawns, woodland and an orchard with a range of fruit trees, as well as a tennis court.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
A coach house and stables to the eastern side of the property offer scope for conversion, subject to the relevant planning consent.
The Old Vicarage is for sale at £1.35 million via Watts & Morgan — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Penmark: What you need to know
- Location: Penmark is only a short drive away from Cardiff Internationa Airport and the market town of Cowbridge.
- Atmosphere:Developing along the main road, the village has a lovely mix of houses and a charming pub, the Six Bells.
- Things to do: Fonmon Castle, in nearby Barry,combines architecture with nature walks and a dinosaur hunt that's sure to be a hit with children.
- Schools: Llancarfan Primary School is rated as good Find more properties in the area.
An elegant Georgian country house set in 14 acres of rolling Cornish countryside
Penny Churchill takes a look at a magnificent house near Truro.
A sprawling 1,500-acre estate in the heart of Scotland, full of potential for the future
Penny Churchill takes a look at the sale of the Leckie Estate, a huge swathe of land with a fine
Carla must be the only Italian that finds the English weather more congenial than her native country’s sunshine. An antique herself, she became Country Life’s Arts & Antiques editor in 2023 having previously covered, as a freelance journalist, heritage, conservation, history and property stories, for which she won a couple of awards. Her musical taste has never evolved past Puccini and she spends most of her time immersed in any century before the 20th.
-
The transformative renovation of a Grade II-listed property with an 'unusual footprint'
Having inherited this fine London townhouse, the new owner asked Sims Hilditch to help refresh the interiors, resulting in a youthful, yet elegant kitchen.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
‘One of the most effective pieces of propaganda ever made’: the Bayeux Tapestry heads to Britain for the first time in almost a millennium
A historic agreement between this country and France sees the 225ft-long tableau — which may have been made in Britain but has been in France since 1077 — arrive at the British Museum in Autumn 2026.
By Carla Passino Published
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countryside
Hartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in Cornwall
The Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its history
In the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston Martin
A new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
By James Fisher Published
-
The Mediterranean Magic of Malta
With historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
By Holly Kirkwood Published
-
Four country houses with their own tennis courts, as seen in Country Life
If Wimbledon has put you in the mood for more tennis, Annunciata Elwes is here with a selection of homes with their own tennis courts.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for sale
Great estates in the unspoilt setting of the New Forest are always a welcome sight on the market, and Newton Park is a wonderful example with a sad story to tell. Anna White tells more.
By Anna White Last updated
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in years
The ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
By Lotte Brundle Published