South Wales lighthouse goes on the market for £1.5m

30 July 2010

Anyone with £1.5 million to spare could wake up every morning in the castellated Point Lynas lighthouse, to the scene of dolphins swimming by in the Irish Sea, and a perfect sunrise.

It was reported that the Grade II listed property - located on the northern coast of Anglesey in South Wales - had been put up for sale, in Cardiff's Western Mail newspaper yesterday.

Point Lynas lighthouse, which is on the market with Williams and Goodwin estate agents, is perched on top of a rocky outcrop overlooking the dramatic panorama of the Irish Sea, where it has guided ships to safety for 175 years.

The somewhat hefty price tag not only includes the freehold of the functioning lighthouse, but the buyer also gets three properties, and two holiday cottages, which are all set on 17 acres of headland.

Housed within a walled courtyard, the properties enjoy sea views, and have the feeling of a castle-like community.

The working lighthouse tower is leased back to Trinity House, the navigation authority for England.

 Even better, no manual work is required from the owner to navigate boats through storms, as it is operated remotely from Harwich, in Essex.

The current occupiers, Robin and Lona Beckmann bought Point Lynas for about £200,000 a decade ago, but have since carried out extensive refurbishment to reverse years of neglect.

Williams and Goodwin said there is no underlying reasons why the couple are selling up, and they are simply ready to move on to pastures new.

Melfyn Williams, the estate agent, spoke to the Western Mail and said it's the first time he has marketed a lighthouse in 25 years of business.

A co-director of Williams & Goodwin, he said: "The benefit of this is that you've not just got the lighthouse, but three properties as well, plus the headland. Also it's producing a good income from the two holiday cottages now and that's something that really can be built on. It could have charm and appeal from a B&B point of view or, with planning, a restaurant even."

County councillor Aled Morris Jones also spoke to the newspaper, and called for Anglesey council to investigate finding support to buy the property.

"This is of historic interest and I would welcome it being bought for the whole community. I appreciate at this time the council could not fund this, but it could act as a facilitator to encourage other organisations like the National Trust or Cadw to become involved."