A Welsh Island for the Price of a London Flat, But You'll Need Wellies

For the price of an average UK home, you can now own a 17-acre private island off the coast of North Wales. The catch? Getting to Ynys Gifftan involves a five-minute wade across a tidal estuary at low tide. At high water, you’ll need a boat.

The island, whose name translates to 'Anne's Gift Island' after a 1700s royal grant, sits in the scenic Dwyryd Estuary near Portmeirion. It comes with a Victorian stone farmhouse, vacant since the 1970s and requiring a complete renovation. Past residents famously removed their shoes for the crossing to the mainland.

Estate agent Carter Jonas has set a guide price of £350,000. 'I don’t think we’ve ever sold an island before,' said surveyor Elis Jones, noting significant interest. Viewings will be accompanied, with strong warnings about tidal safety. The terrain is overgrown, historically used for grazing sheep, and offers sweeping views of the Eryri National Park.

‘It’s a unique opportunity for someone who values an exceptional location and a serious project,’ said Hugh O’Donnell of Carter Jonas. The Royal Geographical Society advises visitors to consult tide tables carefully, as the window for safe foot access is brief. Two river channels bisect the route; if they run too deep, the advice is simple: turn back.