THIS little piece of history with links to Rolls Royce and Buckingham Palace - The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth - is on the market for £495,000.

The Grade II, semi-detached cottage was originally a Post Office and bakery and dates back to 1893.

It was built as part of The Hendre estate of the Rolls family - Charles Rolls was a pioneer of aviation and motoring and was one half of Rolls Royce.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

Sir Aston Webb was the architect responsible for the designs and he was also famous for designing the principle façade of Buckingham Palace.

The current owner has tastefully maintained the property using reclaimed period features in order to retain its original character and charm.

The property boasts a ground floor master bedroom with luxurious en-suite wet room with direct access to the garden.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

As you step up the time worn steps into the quaint black and white timber porch, which still retains the original post box, you can sense the history of this cottage.

No expense has been spared in order to keep the property as authentic to its origins as possible.

The kitchen has an Aga in the fireplace and it is made up of various items of antique freestanding furniture. These units are not included in the sale but could be purchased by separate negotiation. With these items removed the kitchen becomes a blank canvas ready for the new owners to put their own stamp on it.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

Original quarry tiles adorn the floor along with original shelving which held jars of sweets when the property was used as a Post Office and bakery back in 1893.

The ceiling is vaulted, a theme running through many of the rooms at The Old Post Office.

A small room open to the kitchen, where originally telegrams were sent, has space for a Belfast sink and further kitchen units.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

You step up from the kitchen into the dining room, which has a faux red brick feature fireplace and French doors opening out to the rear garden.

There is a pantry off the dining room which has space for a fridge and freezer under the counter. It has the original bread oven which measures approximately 5ft in depth and width as it was used historically to bake bread for the villagers.

A door from the dining room opens to reveal a staircase leading down to the cellar. The cellar has tiled flooring, power, lighting and a radiator.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

There is also an attractive lounge with a beautiful fireplace with a small range on the hearth and a bay window overlooks the front garden.

A porch with an original door with leaded window leads straight into the lounge from outside. The doorbell can be wound by hand. Exposed floorboards, a feature throughout much of The Old Post Office continue from the lounge into the sitting room.

The sitting room has an open fireplace with ornate wooden surround. Next to the fireplace is a recess with shelving.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

In order to allow for an upstairs bathroom in the property the current owners created a master bedroom with en-suite wet room on the ground floor. This room has underfloor heating, a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, storage in the open attic space and a door providing its own private access to the rear garden.

The en-suite wet room has a Moroccan-inspired concertina door, underfloor heating, floor to ceiling Mandarin Stone tiles, a traditional high-level WC, waterfall shower with hand held attachment and a stone wash hand basin.

Stairs from the lounge lead to the first-floor landing.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

On this floor are two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

The bathroom has a reclaimed ball and claw bath. A door at the rear of the bathroom opens into a smaller room with some restricted head height. The WC is located in here along with plenty of storage space.

Although there is no off-road parking at The Old Post Office, the vendors park two cars in front of a historical water trough/fountain dating back to 1894 located at the front of the property. A lychgate sits between two ancient oak trees. A path then leads to the main entrance. A beautiful Clematis climbs over the black and white porch.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

The front gardens are mainly laid to lawn with flower borders and a stream bordering one side. Mature trees and woodland provide some privacy from neighbouring properties. The enclosed rear garden has a large green lawn and a paved alfresco dining area outside of the French doors opening out from the dining room.

A public footpath is located within the boundary of The Old Post Office but does not encroach on the enclosed rear garden. The septic tank is shared with the property attached to The Old Post Office. It is located in a wooded area outside of the property's boundary.

The Old Post Office is located directly opposite the entrance to the Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

The historic border town of Monmouth being just over four miles away. Monmouth and the surrounding areas boast excellent schools including Haberdashers independent boys and girls schools, Llangattock School Monmouth with Montessori Nursery and recently rebuilt state-of-the-art Monmouth Comprehensive School.

Monmouth also offers boutique shops, Waitrose supermarket, M&S Simply Food, The Savoy Theatre and a range of recreational and leisure facilities.

An abundance of tourism and recreational activities exist within Monmouth and the wider region, especially within the beautiful Wye Valley which is only a stone's throw away and Brecon Beacons National Park located to the north of Abergavenny.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

The Old Post Office benefits from oil fired central heating, mains water and private drainage.

All fixtures and fittings in The Old Post Office are excluded from the sale but may be available by separate negotiation.

This property is for sale with Powells, Monmouth. For more information contact the agents on 01600 714140.

South Wales Argus: The Old Post Office, The Hendre, Monmouth

Or go to www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/82150868#/?channel=RES_BUY