Historic Grade II-listed Ugly House fails to sell at auction

Tŷ Hyll (The Ugly House), a traditional Welsh tea room, garden and woodland, which received the recognition in the Bake and Brew Awards 2026 by LUXlife Magazine, went under the hammer on September 23 via Town and Country Property Auctions.

Two bidders went head-to-head for the property, with bidding starting at £199,000 at 5.30pm.

Bidder two then raised the price to £200,000, before bidder one returned with £201,000.

The bidding continued to rise, with the two bidders going back and forth, with a total of 20 bids taking the price to £219,000.

However, the reserve price was not met and the property did not sell at auction.

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Cymdeithas Eryri, which has owned the property since 1988, listed the historic house, tea room and woodland for sale after a decision was made to redirect resources elsewhere.

Prior to the auction, the society said in a statement: "Assuming that its still-to-be-determined reserve price is met, Tŷ Hyll will be sold at auction on September 23 2026.

"Whilst we recognise that we have no control over any new owner’s plans for the building and land, we hope very much that they will continue to manage the site in a spirit that acknowledges the years of effort put in by Cymdeithas Eryri staff and - more importantly - volunteers.

"Where possible, we may even be able to actively support them in their efforts to manage the site sustainably."

The sale of the property devastated the current occupant, who said they had offered to buy the property but this was turned down by the society.

A petition to save Tŷ Hyll has now attracted more than 1,200 signatures.

Cymdeithas Eryri said in their statement: "For almost 40 years, Tŷ Hyll, near Betws-y-coed, has been an integral part of the Society’s efforts to deliver its aims.

"Purchased in 1988, it was our headquarters until 2010 and for much of the period since has been a tea-room, hub for honey bees and demonstration site both for woodland conservation and wildlife-friendly gardening. Now, however, the Society’s trustees have decided that we need to re-direct our resources elsewhere, and we’re seeking a new owner for this historic house/tea-room, buzzing garden and beautiful woodland.

"The decision to sell was not an easy one, and does not in any way intend to decry the contribution that Tŷ Hyll has previously made to the Society’s work, nor intentionally devalue the enormous amount of love and hard work that have gone into making the building, garden and woodlands what they are today.

"It simply acknowledges that we think the best use of our resources will, in future, lie elsewhere - and that others are likely to be better-placed to continue to care for the building and land."

A description of the property by Town & Country Property Auctions said: "The property extends to approximately 5.19 acres, comprising the historic cottage together with adjoining land offering considerable amenity value. Subject to the necessary statutory consents, the property offers exciting potential for a variety of future uses including tourism, hospitality, educational or commercial purposes, whilst retaining its significance as one of the area’s best-known landmarks.

"Whether acquired as a private project, an investment opportunity or a flagship tourism venture, Ty Hyll represents a property of exceptional character and enduring appeal.

"Although requiring minor upgrading and improvement, this unique property provides purchasers with an increasingly rare opportunity to restore and enhance a building of genuine historic importance in one of the most sought-after locations within the Snowdonia National Park."

Prospective purchasers were warned that the existing drainage arrangements serving the property will require replacement or substantial upgrading.