Community 'devastated' as Grade II-listed Ugly House put up for auction

A cafe manager says she has been left "heartbroken" as the Grade II-listed historic cottage in north Wales which houses her business is set to go up for auction.

The Ugly House, or Tŷ Hyll, is a familiar landmark for Gwynedd residents, and is believed to be linked to the Welsh tradition of tŷ unnos (house in one night), where a house erected with its chimney smoking by dawn could be claimed by the builder.

The Snowdonia Society, which owns the building, is auctioning it at a guide price of £199,000 and says the proceeds will go "directly into Eryri's landscape, wildlife and people".

But hundreds have signed a petition calling on it to pause the sale and explore community‑focused alternatives.

The building, located on the A5 between Betws-y-Coed and Capel Curig, was bought by the Snowdonia Society in 1988 and has been used as a tearoom since 2012.

Its manager, Jane Davies, said she had offered to buy the building, but was told the sale had to go through a public auction.

Davies added her biggest fear was the building being turned into a private property.

"I don't want it to be closed to the public... I want it to be open for everyone to come and see the house," she said.

"They don't stipulate [in the auction listing] what happens to the house, and that's what worries me the most."

Posting on social media, she added she was "so upset" but was planning to relocate her business following the sale.

James Charlton, who works in the cafe occasionally, added: "The place is very popular with local people and a lot of tourists come here too.

When asked what made Tŷ Hyll so special, he added: "It's not ugly at all, it's cute.

"The place is like something out of Lord of the Rings."

On its website, the Snowdonia Society says: "Some claim the name, Tŷ Hyll, is a corruption of Llugwy, the name of the river burbling away on the other side of the road.

"Or maybe it's the big, crude boulders that give the house its name - the word hyll in Welsh can mean rough or crude, as well as ugly."

But it added "no-one really knows who built the house or when".

The property spans more than five acres, comprising the historic cottage along with with adjoining land, including a car park.

Town and Country Property Auctions said: "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."

A petition calling for the preservation of the building for the public has so far received more than 850 sigantures.

Its creator, Catherine McGuinness, wrote: "The community is devastated. Tŷ Hyll is not just a building, it is a symbol of Snowdonia's heritage, folklore and identity.

"Generations of locals and visitors know it as a place to get a taste of homemade Welsh food, to experience the peace of its grounds and get lost in it's beauty.

"We urge all relevant bodies to work together to protect this landmark for future generations."

The Snowdonia Society said the decision to sell "was not an easy one", and it did not intend to "devalue the love and hard work that has gone into making the building, the garden and the woodlands what they are today".

But it added it believed "the best use of our resources, in the future, will be more appropriate elsewhere" and "others are likely to be in a better position to continue looking after the building and the land".

"All the money will, in due course, be reinvested directly in the landscape, wildlife and people of Snowdonia."

Director Graeme Cotterill added that any new owners would be encouraged to "continue to welcome visitors to the historic property, wildlife-friendly garden and neighbouring woodland", adding the organisation was "committed to helping them to do so, including through supporting groups of local volunteers to help maintain the grounds, if there is sufficient interest".

The auction is due to be held on 23 September.

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