Standerton, Monmouth, NP25 4RH

Standerton is the much-loved home of a distinguished fashion writer and broadcaster and its layout mixes open plan living with more intimate spaces in a way that's stylish and sophisticated, making the most of Victorian period features and amazing views towards the Brecon Beacons.

A light and airy kitchen/dining room/family room serves as a wonderful first impression of the living space within Standerton, a renovated and extended stone and brick cottage.

Measuring 9.60m (31ft 6ins) long, it's the beating heart of the home with its aga stove and modern, painted fitted units with wooden worktops that complement the timber floorboards.

Designed to make the most of stunning panoramic views of the Brecon Beacons, this is a perfect space for family living and entertaining friends.

French doors lead to a sunken patio that extends this room into the garden on warm days.

A matching pair of these doors leads into a large sunroom, with a doorway leading to a decked balcony area in front of the house.

The kitchen/dining room also allows access into an intimate library area. The garden room lies at the opposite end of the house to the sunroom and has a pair of French doors leading outside.

A sitting room, aptly named the snug', with a log burner and beautiful period features such as picture rails, beamed ceiling and an elegant fireplace; small study and a handy WC with plumbing for a washing machine complete the layout of the ground floor.

A sweeping staircase with turned wooden newel posts and balusters leads from a small hallway to four generously sized bedrooms, two of which have en suites.

One of these first-floor rooms is currently used as a sitting room that benefits from spectacular views of the Black Mountains.

There's also an elegant family bathroom fitted with pale green-grey metro-style tiles. A useful loft room lies on the second floor.

Standerton has much to offer those looking to work from home but require excellent transport links to different parts of the UK.

Standerton's position on an escarpment means it has sweeping uninterrupted views over breathtaking landscape towards the Brecon Beacons. On a clear day it's possible to see across 60 miles.

Surrounding the property are several farmers' fields that add to the beauty of the rural setting. The landscaped gardens include mature trees and shrubs, along with small areas of lawn.

A sunken patio lies beyond French doors leading from the kitchen. The house lies off a country road, which leads to a large, flat parking area that can accommodate six vehicles.

Steps lead from here to the garden to the rear of the property.

EPC Rating: D Location Lydart is located within a hamlet on an escarpment that slopes down to the valley of the River Trothy and has fabulous views of the Black Mountains.

It's close to the village of Mitchel Troy, which has a church dating back to the 13th century and a community centre offering a range of activities.

Lydart is three miles from Monmouth, which has an upscale, traditional shopping street with independent boutique shops, a Waitrose supermarket and M&S Simply Food, along with several places to eat, a variety of services and two theatres.

The town hosts regular markets and a busy programme of events.

Leisure and recreation facilities include a golf course and two Michelin-starred restaurants, The Walnut Tree and The Whitebrook, are just a few miles away.

Lydart is around 15 miles from Chepstow, with its bustling high street, racecourse and castle - the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain.

There are several excellent educational institutions locally, including the Haberdashers' independent schools for boys and girls in Monmouth and the Llangattock School Monmouth with its Montessori-inspired pre-school.

There are excellent transport links with Lydart being close to Junction 2 of the M48 Motorway, which crosses the Severn near Chepstow and links to the M4 giving easy access to Cardiff, Newport, Bristol and London.

The railway station at Newport runs a direct train to London.