Your own private Island?

[Daisy]

Have you ever thought about having a house on your own private island? I'm sure you're thinking of sunshine, tropical blue seas, white sandy beaches and a gentle, warm breeze as you sip your sundowner from the comfort of your own deck admiring the view of the Italian village on the nearby mainland.

For about £350,000 you could be that person, with a few changes. Forget the sunshine, blue seas and white sandy beaches, and probably the warm breeze, otherwise it's all there.

No, it's not in an undiscovered corner of Italy, or anywhere on the Med. It's much closer to home. Wales to be exact, a 17-acre island called Ynys Gifftan. The island has an old stone farmhouse that needs a lot of work, and you'd need a boat to make the short journey to the mainland, except at low tide when you can walk. If you've ever visited the Italianate village of Portmeirion you may have stood overlooking the fast flowing tidal water between the mainland and Anglesey and wondered about the little offshore island. On a beautiful sunny day the view is idyllic, and even in winter views over Snowdonia (now Eryri) National Park are beautiful.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdx4xkkly9qo

[Oma]

Oh goodness yes , even if it was blowing a gale most days I would take it ,
Just the peace and quiet no traffic, no litter, no awkward neighbours,
Pure bliss ,

But I suspect you would soon get bored with that and want company ,
Plus what if you were ill and needed help quickly?
At least you wouldn't need a car just a boat , but then again I get sick on small boats ,
So not ideal for me 😁

[Daisy]

Oma, it is an incredibly beautiful location. To walk to the mainline at low tide apparently takes about 5 minutes, so you might be able to tolerate a small boat in an emergency. You would have to leave your car on the mainland, though.

[Nanto2girls]

I couldn't live anywhere like that.
We live on an estate and i like it it with other houses very close.
I couldn't live anywhere remote and neither could hubby.

[Daisy]

Nanto, and that's probably why you both enjoy your often unexpected visitors so much, you're friendly sociable people.

I've never lived anywhere where we didn't have houses next door, and it's great to have friendly neighbours. On the other hand I enjoy taking the dog out on my own and (weather and fitness permitting) going for long walks in the Forest, where you can walk for miles and not see anyone else. It feels like the best of both worlds for me.

That particular island isn't actually remote as it's just the 5 minutes walk at low tide into the Portmeirion Italinate village, but I imagine there is also another route onto the mainland.

[Gemini]

I think someone with the money and imagination could turn it into wonderful home.

[Daisy]

Gem, you're right. It could be idyllic. Some years ago the Welsh Tourist Board used the view from Portmeirion looking north along the Menai Straights as its flagship advert. It looked like a Greek Island, bathed in glorious sunshine.