Right outside the window, the wild Atlantic stretches before you at this cosy little cottage on Swansea Bay. It’s in Mumbles, a seaside suburb with a Victorian pier, a long sweep of sandy beach and a medieval castle. We’re not exaggerating when we say the beach is mere footsteps away, just across the road. From here, you can follow the traffic-free walking path along the coast to Swansea, or to the wild headland in the other direction. Returning to this cottage after a brisk seaside walk is a delight, especially with the electric fireplace glowing in the living room. You can watch the waves from the comfy sofa, thanks to the big sash window in the living room. There’s a dining table in here too, or you can opt for the more casual breakfast table in the full kitchen. Upstairs, the sea view continues in plush bedrooms and the loft landing is home to a bean-bag-strewn hang-out den. The piece de resistance is the private walled garden out the back with a cute wrought-iron dining set for an evening tipple in the sun.

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