In 2001, Bear Grylls bought a remote island off the coast of north Wales for £95,000. At the time, the island had just one house, which Grylls described as a “complete wreck”. He and his friends then spent four years rebuilding the property, turning the isolated place into a family retreat.
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The island is about six miles off the north Wales coast and is connected to a lighthouse, The Guardian reported. The house, which stands around 300ft above the sea, was once used by the lighthouse keeper’s family. Grylls said the location can become difficult in winter, when sea spray can reach over the roof.
The property was bought as a place where Grylls could escape the demands of his work. In a 2007 interview with The Guardian, he said the island had no telephone, email or other people. His family would drive to a marina, load food and other supplies into a RIB, and then travel about six-and-a-half miles to reach the island.
In a 2024 interview with National Geographic Traveller, he said his family owns “a little island” a few miles off the coast of north Wales that is “totally off-grid”. He said the house is powered by wind and solar, while rainwater is collected from the roof.
A remote family retreat
For Grylls, the island is a place where he can spend time with his family without the schedules and meetings that are part of his working life.
In the 2007 interview, he said his filming and work kept him away from his family for long periods. Even when he was at home, he often had meetings and a busy schedule.
“What I find so hard about my work life and my filming life is that I'm away from my family so much,” Grylls said. “Even when I'm home it can be mad, with constant meetings, so what's so precious about this is that it's literally just us, no meetings, no nothing.”
The family spent about six weeks on the island each summer. Getting there was part of the experience. They would travel from the marina by RIB with food, the children and everything else they needed for their stay.
Once there, their days were centred around outdoor activities and family time. Grylls said they would swim, climb, use hammocks, have barbecues and take shelter in the house when the weather turned wet.
