In 2001, Bear Grylls bought a remote Welsh island for £95,000; after four years rebuilding its only house, it now runs off-grid on wind, solar and harvested rainwater

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.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 spend time away from the demands of his work. In a 2007 interview with The Guardian, he said the island had no telephone, emails or other people. His family would drive to a marina, load their food and other supplies into a RIB, and travel about six-and-a-half miles to 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.

Wind, solar power and rainwater

The island’s remote location means that the property operates differently from an ordinary home. In his 2024 National Geographic Traveller interview, Grylls explained that the house uses wind and solar power.“My family owns a little island a few miles off the coast off North Wales that’s totally off-grid,” he said. “The house is powered by wind and solar; we even collect rainwater off the roof.”Being off-grid also fits the kind of environment Grylls values. He said the island can sometimes feel isolating, but that is part of what he likes about it.“It can be isolating sometimes, but I love that,” he said. “I spend so much of my year around people and I’m not a natural extrovert. I need a little quiet time to sit and recharge.”The island also gives his family access to the surrounding coast. Grylls previously described the area as having sea cliffs, dolphins and seals. The family used their boat for trips along the coast, water-skiing and travelling back to the mainland.

A place for adventure

The island’s surroundings have also allowed Grylls to share his interest in outdoor activities with his children.In the 2007 interview, he said his son Jesse had been interested in activities such as skydiving, camping and climbing from a young age. Grylls said they climbed together and that he had also taken Jesse paragliding.The family also explored the coast around the island, using the boat to find coves for picnics. Grylls said the area was largely National Trust land.For someone whose career has centred on adventure, the setting offered many of the activities associated with his television work. But Grylls also described the island as a place that combined adventure with family life. “It’s just everything wild and cosy and family that motivates me in my life, so it has it all,” he said.