At £280,000, a welsh hideaway home is offered for sale, replete with an Italian village model in the yard.
A 6 foot Rialto Bridge from Venice, a miniature Cathedral from Florence, and a miniature Leaning Tower of Pisa are among the more than 30 famous locations in the small Italy collection.
It was painstakingly built adjacent to their 19th-century home by the late poultry farmer Mark Bourne and his wife Muriel over the course of 25 years.
After repeated journeys overseas to his beloved Italy, Mr. Bourne initiated the tribute to Italian architecture.
The next six weeks were spent building his masterpieces out of chicken wire and mortar when he returned home with sketchbooks filled with sketches.
In addition to recycling trash, farmer Mr. Bourne utilized an old washing machine to mold the dome of his Tempietto.
The late couple’s home, which has whitewashed stone walls and is tucked into a hillside down a secluded drive, is now for sale.
The house is located close to the settlement of Corris in Gwynedd, North Wales, and has views across the Afon Deri valley and surrounding forests.
There is a sizable kitchen and eating area inside, as well as a separate living room and shower room on the main level.
Three bedrooms and a cloakroom are located on the upper floor, allowing purchasers access to the space at night.
Prior to his passing, local planning officials visited the property, which Mr. Bourne said made them laugh with its distinctive garden elements.
Before the pandemic, the Little Italy Trust was established in an effort to save the home and gardens.
Trustee Richard Withers assumed the responsibility of site protector while family friend Jonathan Fell assisted with model maintenance.
While the structures are rickety and the stairs are lethal, some of the routes are not too awful, according to Jonathan.
At £280,000, the cottage and garden with 2.4 acres of land are now for sale.
The home is situated approximately half a mile above the hamlet and has a nice valley outlook over its own pastureland, according to estate agency Morris Marshall & Poole.
The Italian model village that can be located to the side and back of the home adds another special element. This was built by a previous owner and occupies a plot of land that is roughly a third of an acre.
It has a wide variety of ancient structures and monuments from Italy, including the Bridge de Verde, St. Mark’s, and other churches. There are various websites that explain this well-known landmark’s aspect.
»A remote Wales property with an Italian village imitation is for sale«