A seven-bedroom mansion for the price of a south London flat

Seven bedrooms. Six bathrooms. Five reception rooms. A sweeping staircase overlooked by a stained glass window. 22 acres of grounds that include gardens, woodland and grazing areas, and an elevated position offering magnificent, uninterrupted views across countryside, estuary and mountains.

Caerffynnon Hall is about as different from the average suburban flat as its possible to imagine - yet it's on the market for just £395,000. That's roughly the same price you'd pay for a nice one-bedroom pad near East Croydon station.

The house and grounds - which also include assorted outbuildings and a granny annexe - came onto the market at the weekend. It's located just a few of miles from Portmeirion in the village of Talsarnau, in the heart of Snowdonia.

That's not to say that there aren't a few issues which need addressing. Estate agents Strutt & Parker admit that it's a "do-er upper", and the interior pictures on this page show that there is clearly work to be done to get it back in top condition.

Then again, this is no empty shell in need of millions to be spent. It's a double glazed, centrally-heated building which could be made into wonderful family home, or else perhaps fixed up and re-sold by an enterprising buyer.

Snowdonia itself is famously beautiful and a popular holiday destination, and Harlech - with its beautiful beach and famous golf course, Royal St David's - is just a short drive away.

What's more, Talsarnau even has its own railway station, though don't expect a high-speed express. Birmingham is just over four hours away, Manchester is five and London is six.

Then again, if you'd swapped a terrace house or small flat in one of those cities for the chance to live in splendour, would you care about ever making it to the big smoke again?

Caerffynnon Hall is on the market with Strutt & Parker - you can get more details via the listing on their website.