Your own deserted island for the price of a London room

The island seen at sunset
The island seen at sunset

Five hundred pounds a month won't get you much living space in most of the UK right now, but it could get you a farmhouse on its very own island.

For the same price as a flat-share in London, the new tenant of Ynys Giftan will get an 18-acre island in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales that's been unoccupied for 20 years.

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Naturally, there's a catch or two. The farmhouse is structurally sound, but not fit for habitation.

And the owner, the 7th Baron Harlech, is letting it out on a 20-year improving lease, meaning that it will be the tenant's responsibility to do it up - at a cost estimated at around £100,000.

There's no electricity or heating, the land is very overgrown and the mains water supply may or may not be working. Agents Strutt & Parker say the house is currently pretty dangerous.

The dilapidated farmhouse
The dilapidated farmhouse


Right now, it has two reception rooms, a kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, with one large en-suite bedroom above, although the agents say this could be split into two.

And the new tenant won't be picked on financial grounds alone.

"The island's location provides it with ideal opportunities for maximising tourism and responses and expressions of interest would be welcomed on the basis of any future tenant broadening the tourism strengths of the island and maintaining and enhancing the wider public's affection for the island," say Strutt & Parker.

They are keen to hear from anyone with ideas for, say, an eco-resort or an upmarket camping site.

View of the island
View of the island


It's certainly a lovely spot, overlooking the Italianate village of Portmeirion and with stunning views of the coastline, mountains and the Irish Sea and it's one of only 43 unbridged tidal islands in Britain.

It's been owned by Lord Harlech's family since the early 1700s, when it was given to them by Queen Anne - hence the name, which means 'Anne's Gift Island'.

If you'd like to gift it to yourself for the next 20 years, contact Strutt & Parker before the end of August.

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