Sometimes strolling off the main street of a coastal location and away from the sea, however hard that might be, can reward you with some hidden secrets to find.
And if you love discovering little lanes and secret streets that are packed with properties you never knew existed, then Mumbles is as good a place as any to enjoy rummaging around and turning quiet street corners to find hidden homes.
If you're happy to veer off the main Mumbles Road that hugs the beach and coastline of Swansea Bay you will find Village Lane, and just the name is enough to tempt you to discover what delightful properties might be waiting for you if you give into your nosey instincts and wander up this little road.
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But this lane offers an even smaller lane to discover, and it's a delight. It is a tiny lane that is an exclusive home to just six pretty cottages, three on either side of the central walkway that can only be accessed on foot and via a set of stone steps. No cars parked outside here, just benches and pots of plants next to the facades of these characterful homes.
The estate agent selling one of these rarely available half a dozen homes on the tiny lane of Rockhill calls it a prime location and it would be hard to argue with that.
It's a hidden place to call home, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the thriving location of Mumbles that centres around the seashore promenade and the centre of the town that can boast a variety of independent shops and eateries, as well as national chains.
With Swansea in one direction and the glorious Gower peninsula beaches in the other direction, surely not many people from the area or who have visited Mumbles were surprised when property portal Rightmove announced in November 2022 that the town was, at that time, Britain's top house price coastal hotspot. Find out more about that here.
More recently, Rightmove states that Mumbles has seen prices increase by 16% on the previous year and 23% up on the 2018 peak of £328,275, with an overall average price increasing to £393,525 over the year to October 2022.
The majority of sales in Mumbles during the last year to October 2022 were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £340,534. Flats sold for an average of £278,269, with detached properties fetching £641,383.
So this purple paradise tucked away on Rockhill seems like a perfect place for a tidy buying budget. And if a busy location is good for seaside strolls and a social life, but so is a being away from the hustle and bustle in a quiet corner, then maybe this cottage is the perfect balance.
The cottage itself is a good blend too, a balance of period character and modern interiors that hits you as soon as you walk through the front door. Exposed ceiling beams and a wooden floor are the perfect character above and below, while white-washed walls are accented with tones of blue and green and tactile layers of fabrics, from throws to rugs, cushions to accessories.
The ground floor is a mainly an open-plan layout with the lounge area cwtched around a log burner with a wooden mantle nested into the wall above. This inviting space flows into the rear kitchen area through a wide opening that includes a cute and clever breakfast bar that's integrated into the kitchen design and a section of the side wall.
The kitchen is a lovely space not only flooded with light but with white Shaker-style units and a wooden worktop to establish a strong visual relationship with the walls, floor and beams - balance is achieved. The section of the units missing so a breakfast bar can occupy the space is a a genius idea that is worth highlighting again as it's easy to miss.
Another surprise extra is the utility area through an archway at the rear of the property and next to this a door that gets you into a pretty pink and white toilet and sink cloakroom at the back of the house, but if you're after a refreshing shower, you'll find that upstairs off the landing.
Also on the first floor is the main bedroom at the front of the cottage, and a second bedroom at the back of the property currently being used as a home office.
This tiny terraced street is such a cute spot to live, and you're going to get to know the neighbours pretty quickly, especially as there is a communal garden that is shared with the handful of neighbours on this small, no vehicle street.
This parcel of lawn is surely going to regularly tempt you out with your morning coffee and evening cocktail because from its elevated position a sea view, as well as the roof-tops of Mumbles, is one of the surrounding features to join you.
But if you want your own strip of outdoor space this surprising cottage can surprise you again with its own private balcony, accessed via the second bedroom, and with its own sea view on the horizon.
It's yet another reason why snooping around the back streets of some of Wales' most popular and pretty coastal locations is worth the time and effort, because you find character and charm around the corner of most streets.
The purple Rockhill cottage is for sale for £270,000 with Purplebricks covering Swansea, call 020 3889 9181 for further details. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors - join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter , sent to your inbox twice a week.
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