Susan and Carwyn Richards, who live in the village that’s like a mini Hamptons (Image: John Myers)
In a quaint seaside community, there’s a row of houses that make residents exclaim ‘wow’ every morning. Living here feels like a year-round holiday, regardless of the weather.
There’s no need for a coastal trip when you can see the sea as soon as you open your curtains. Welcome to Pentre Nicklaus Village on the outskirts of Llanelli in south-west Wales.
Although it’s just a stone’s throw from the town’s centre, the serene views and tranquillity make it feel worlds away. Two decades have passed since the first of about 170 homes were built here, offering views found in few other parts of the UK.
The properties in this development were designed in a ‘New England style’, giving you the feeling of being in a Welsh mini-version of The Hamptons – an area in Long Island, New York, known for its grand homes with spacious terraces and balconies overlooking breathtaking sea views.
In fact, it bears a striking resemblance to Seahaven, the fictional small, privately-owned beachside town from the Truman Show, made famous by Jim Carrey in the 1998 hit comedy drama, reports Wales Online.
A quaint street scene in the village, which looks like it could be a film set (Image: John Myers)
From your balcony, on a clear day, you can enjoy stunning views of Gower on one side and Tenby on the other.
« I’m always in awe – in the summer in particular it’s just breathtaking, » said Janice Gallacher, a local resident who enjoys a stunning view of the Millennium Coastal Path, a picturesque trail along the Loughor Estuary that leads into the bounteous Carmarthen Bay.
« But whatever the season, it’s beautiful. Every day is different, every day you get to see the sunset. Even when the tide is rough it’s brilliant to watch. »
In 2004, Janice moved to Pentre Nicklaus with her husband Stuart, a Llanelli legend known for his achievements in the rugby world, both in union and league, before taking up prestigious roles as chief executive of Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets.
Stuart passed away in 2014, but Janice has stayed passionately connected to the area they chose together. Now a great-grandmother, the locale continues to offer plenty for her to do.
Displaying her sizeable open-plan upper-floor residence, Janice raves about the local wildlife and the extensive coastal vistas at her doorstep. She also touts the convenience to Llanelli’s town centre saying: « I can walk to the nursery in 10 minutes, we’ve got the golf club around the corner – it’s a wonderful place to live. I can see the coast for miles around. We knew when we bought the place almost 20 years ago that it was a home for life. »
From their balconies, whatever the weather the residents here can watch the sunset (Image: John Myers)
Carwyn and Susan Richards, who live next door to Janice, are also blessed with a coastal panorama and remember how the sight of the house sealed their decision to move in instantly. The couple are from Llanelli and found their way back here in 2014 after a stint in nearby Gower.
« We had to travel into and through Swansea to get anywhere, but here we’re close to shops, we’re close to family and we’re close to the M4, it’s perfect. Summer time is the best time to live here but it’s beautiful all year round, » they enthused. A snapshot taken by Carwyn, which graces their wall, perfectly encapsulates the breathtaking view from their residence.
« We’ve moved around a lot over the years with my job, » Carwyn recounted. « We had a lovely place to live in Gower, right by the beach. When we decided to come back to this area, we looked at several places. But as soon as we stepped through the door here, it was June and straight away we saw that view. That was it. We knew within 30 seconds that this was where we wanted to be. »
« We’re not moving again! » Susan declared emphatically. « This is home. »
Garry enjoys the view from his balcony (Image: John Myers)
Further down Pentre Nicklaus, Garry is immersed in his renovation. Unlike most homes of similar design that feature a wall dividing the kitchen and living room on the second floor, Garry has chosen to demolish it, creating an expansive open-plan space that maximises the impressive coastal views through the large glass windows.
Garry and his family were drawn to their home in Pentre Nicklaus six years ago, primarily for its stunning views: « We wanted this place because of the view. We originally came here because it’s near the sea and the coastal path and I love cycling – all that is literally right in front of us, so it was a lifestyle choice. »
Nestled in Llanelli, a town with a rich rugby heritage, Garry’s residence has a notable connection to the sport, having once been owned by Gareth Jenkins, the former player and head coach of the Wales national side, a fact Garry proudly shares from his balcony.
Pentre Nicklaus was built 20 years ago and the residents love it here (Image: John Myers)
« We wanted this place because of the view. We originally came here because it’s near the sea and the coastal path and I love cycling – all that is literally right in front of us, so it was a lifestyle choice.
« Some people might look at the land down there (between his home and the estuary) and think it’s just wasteland but we don’t see it like that. We have wild foxes here, we have birds of prey – for us it’s a nature reserve on our doorstep.
« The best part about the view is that it changes every hour. It’s expensive to buy a property here but it’s free for everyone to enjoy the path and the surroundings. We used to commute a lot, which is bad for the environment and it’s bad for our health. Thankfully I’m able to work from home. People might think you take it for granted after a while but you don’t. It’s just stunning. »
Living in Pentre Nicklaus offers the best of both worlds. While the town centre’s hustle and bustle is just a short walk away, your home provides a tranquil retreat.
Gazing out of your spacious lounge window in the evening, you’re enveloped by nature and the sea, feeling as though you’re a million miles away from everything else.
Source link
