Mel C's sweeping period home in the 'blissful' Welsh countryside where homes sell for £1m
Mel C, otherwise known as Sporty Spice, has lived much of her life in the spotlight being one of the five members of the 1990s chart-topping group, the Spice Girls. Despite her global fame, the singer is said to value her privacy, spending much of her downtime in the blissful countryside of Monmouthshire.
Nestled in the Wye Valley on the border of England and Wales, is Mel's stunning period home that she reportedly paid £1m for back in 2004. The sweeping property had been kept in the same family for almost a century before it went up for sale, as the Wales Online reports.
Monmouthshire, which is lauded for its natural beauty and rich history and culture, is also home to ancient castles, market towns and inviting pubs. The mum-of-one bought the house two decades ago with her then partner, property developer Thomas Starr. The couple were together for 10 years before splitting in 2012.
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"We have friends in the village and we go to the local pub - we were so lucky to find our house and we have been here for three years," Wales Online reported her as saying in 2007.
"The house is very old. It is made of Welsh stone and is very beautiful and we are still learning about it. It had been lived in by a family for a long time, they obviously cared about it and there are some great old trees in the garden. It's quite secluded, although it is near the village."
The six-bedroom period country home comes with a sprawling 1.4 acres of enclosed space, replete with lush greenery and the tranquil sounds of a nearby stream. Boasting a classic charm, this residence features exquisite herringbone floors, traditional open fireplaces and an impressive count of four reception rooms.
When it comes to property prices in Monmouthshire, there's quite a range to consider based on the property type, precise location, and sheer size. Many years after Melanie bought her dream Welsh home, those now eyeing detached homes commonly at the higher end of the market especially if they're nestled in rural spots or boast views to die for are looking at anything between £400,000 and well above the £1 million mark, particularly if the property comes with a generous slice of land or is steeped in history.
The more modest semi-detached homes tend to be easier on the wallet, typically presenting buyers with price tags in the £250,000 to £450,000 bracket, with variations influenced by where you're buying and how much house you're getting.
And for terraced properties, expect to shell out somewhere in the region of £200,000 to £350,000, again dependent on locator factors and dimensions.
Despite usually keeping her personal affairs away from the public gaze, Melanie has lent her voice to endorse the local recycling initiative, once remarking: "Recycling is so important for the future of our planet, and I think we should all do our bit for the environment. It feels good to know that a little effort goes a long way. All we have to do in Monmouthshire is pop our cans, paper, glass and textiles into the black boxes provided."