Latest news with #islandliving
The Sun
03-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I live in a tiny floating house on a secret UK island home to famous rock stars, lagoons & even its own sauna
A WOMAN has shared an insight into her life living in a tiny floating house in the middle of a huge city. The island which was once home to famous children's authors and rockstars, is just 400 metres long. 5 5 5 Linda, who is originally from South Africa, purchased a house on Tagg's Island, a tiny island in the River Thames back in 2019. The floating home was originally built in the 1980s, but she knocked it down in 2024 and decided to completely rebuild it and turn it into a "tropical oasis". "I just felt like island living, like you see in the Caribbean, could be here in the UK", she told Into Their Space. Her driveway is packed with gorgeous tropical plants, immediately transporting you to an exotic haven, and the home has huge floor to ceiling windows that have a gorgeous view of the Thames. "Living on the lagoon is all about communing with nature and quieting down and going tech-free, so I was very keen that the lounge area would have a view on the lagoon", she said. She added the she loves to sit in her reading chair with her morning coffee, and watch swans or early morning rowers pass by. Despite only being 60m2, Linda has room to fit a king four-poster bed into the house and the place is even fitted with a sauna. "It's a beautiful little redwood sauna, the benefits are great!", she said. The floating home also has a huge flat roof, that Linda and her husband use to sunbathe on in the summer. "We love our rooftop. My husband is always up there, whiling away the hours stringing his guitar, reading a book or listening to YouTube videos", she said. We're being kicked out our Chelsea houseboat to make way for swanky 'mega' barge - fees cost MORE than property itself As well as living on the island, Linda also owns the two floating homes next to hers, and rents them out to guests. She decided to buy both homes because she was worried about somebody noisy moving in, and has now quit her 9-5 to focus on the guest accommodations, as well as working as a management accountant and a commercial director. Linda adores her life on Tagg's island, as she is able to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, whilst still being super close to the centre of London. "It's a different way of life, you just commune with nature, and you're just up the road from theatres and local amenities", she said. Pros and cons of living on a house boat Houseboats can be cheaper than buying a home on dry land but doesn't come without risks. You may be able to get a special type of mortgage for a boat, but it can be more difficult than getting a traditional home loan and have higher rates of interest. You won't pay stamp duty when buying a boat to live on, and you can move to a different location whenever you want without having to sell up. You might even be able to live in a location where you wouldn't be able to afford a bricks and mortar house. But space can be more limited, and the value of houseboats can generally go down over time, like a car or motorbike. A licence which you need from the canal and river trust can cost anywhere between £510 and £1,100 a year depending on the size of the boat. There are likely to be ongoing costs for maintenance and mooring as well as fuel, a boat safety certificate and, of course, insurance. There's always something that needs to be done on a boat – from engine servicing to treating rust spots, not to mention emptying the toilet and filling the water tank. Energy bills could be higher on the boat than a home as they are generally harder to insulate. If your boat is moored permanently, it will typically be in the lowest tax band, with single occupants benefiting from a 25% reduction. However, if you're happy to move every two weeks as a 'continuous cruiser,' you won't have to pay this Tagg's Island is home to 62 houseboats, some of which are three storeys high. Houses are not permitted to be built on the island, which is accessible by a single track road bridge. It's only half a mile upstream from Hampton Court Palace and you can get fantastic views from the island. The island is home to some of the Thames' most expensive houseboats, and has had a number of famous residents, including Peter Pan author J.M Barrie and the theatrical duo Gilbert & Sullivan. In 1986, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour bought a houseboat named The Astoria on the island, and the band used it as a recording studio. 5 5
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
How to move to a remote Irish island, to live a ‘better way of life'
Ever dreamed of living on an island? What if you could get an €84,000 grant to do it? That's exactly what is on offer if you renovate a vacant and derelict property on some of Ireland's offshore islands. The Our Living Islands scheme offers a supersized grant to renovate a home on an Irish island. If you are tired of urban living, if you can work remotely or you want to be part of something with a bigger purpose then this could be a head-turning sum. But what does the scheme entail, could it help you start a new life and, two years on from its launch, has anyone moved? What supports are available? Our Living Islands is a government scheme to ensure that sustainable, vibrant communities can continue to live – and thrive – on the offshore islands. Grants for housing there are part of an effort to attract more permanent residents to contribute to island life. READ MORE The scheme garnered global media headlines when it was launched by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage two years ago. Ireland would pay generous cash incentives to anyone moving to its islands, headlines from the Miami Herald to Forbes Magazine trumpeted. [ Now you can earn up to €90,000 by moving to remote islands ] But that was not quite true. Applicants needed to own and renovate a vacant or derelict property to get the money. They must plan to live in it full time, too, or rent it to someone who would. There were 65 populated islands off the coast of Ireland in 2022 with 8,931 people living on them, according to census 2022 figures. The Living Islands scheme offers a topped-up grant for properties on 23 of them, including some of the most habitable and picturesque. These include: Árainn Mhór, Toraigh, Inis Meáin and Uaigh Island in Co Donegal; Clare Island, Inishturk and Inishlyre in Co Mayo; Inishbofin, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr in Co Galway; and Bere, Heir and Sherkin Islands in Co Cork. Applicants have until 2033 to apply. How does it work? The first step to qualifying for the grant is to find a vacant or derelict island property. It can be a house or a property that has not been used for residential purposes before. The property must have been vacant for two years or more and have been built before 2008. Applicants must own the property or be in the process of buying it. They must plan to live in the property as their principal private residence when the work is completed or make it available for rent and register with the Residential Tenancies Board. The standard vacant property refurbishment grant is up to €50,000 and up to €70,000 if the property is derelict. A vacant property on an offshore island, however, qualifies for up to €60,000 for refurbishment, and up to €84,000 where the property is confirmed to be derelict. That is a 20 per cent uplift to the same grant for mainland homes. The grant is inclusive of the VAT cost of the works. If the renovation costs more than the grant then you will have to pay for this. The scheme is managed and administered by local authorities, so that is who you apply to and they make the approval decision. Buyers can also avail of separate Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grants towards improvements such as insulation, a heat pump and solar panels. Work covered by the SEAI scheme is not covered by the vacant property refurbishment grant. What's available? Properties on the islands do not come up often, but they do come up. Sales in recent years include a 1930s-built cottage on Cape Clear island, off Co Cork, advertised for €45,000 in 2022. Vacant since the 1950s, it would certainly have qualified for the vacant and derelict island properties grant. It didn't have a toilet or a septic tank, so it would have required major work to make it habitable. For sale now, on the western shores of Long Island, or Inis Fada, off Co Cork, is a ruin on a 0.15-hectare (0.37 acre) plot. The island, known for its wild scenery, abundant wildlife, shingle beaches and the Beacon lighthouse is accessible from Schull, a five-minute boat ride from Colla Pier. 'If you are looking for a restoration project and an escape from modern day stresses, then this could be a real tonic,' the sales blurb of auctioneers and estate agent James Lyons O'Keeffe says. The seller is asking for €150,000, but is open to offers. Getting to know the local estate agents handling island sales can give you the lie of the land. Islands are small, tight-knit communities, so selling to the 'right' buyer who is going to contribute positively to island life and make a good neighbour will be important to some sellers. Who is moving? The Our Living Islands scheme has received 35 applications from people wanting to renovate vacant and derelict island properties since its inception two years ago, the Department of Housing says. Of these applications, 22 have been approved so far, it says. Just one grant has been drawn down, but more are expected to follow as works are completed, the department says. While a breakdown of the applications by island is not available, figures to the end of June show that Donegal has received by far the most applications numbering 16 for islands Arranmore (6), Gola (2) and Inishbofin (8). This is followed by Cork with 11 applications for renovations on its islands; Galway has four applications, three for Inis Mór and one for Inis Meáin; and Mayo (2). Sligo's Coney Island has received two applications, Sligo County Council says. Mayo County Council has been actively supporting applications, particularly in relation to Clare Island and Inisturk, says Tom Gilligan, director of services with Mayo County Council. 'We have received several enquiries from individuals looking to relocate or return to the islands and renovate vacant and derelict homes using the grant,' he says. 'To date we have received two applications: one for Clare Island and one for Inisturk.' Approvals are progressing and there are 'indicators of positive momentum', he also says. A chance to live in an area of natural beauty in a community with a strong heritage are the big attractions of the scheme, Gilligan says. Remote working has broadened the pool of those who may be able to move. 'Both the island and mainland grant schemes offer a genuine pathway to home ownership and community regeneration,' he says. Island living offers new residents the opportunity to contribute their skills and experience to the bigger purpose of sustaining and developing island life too. Buyers need to be aware of the planning, renovation and funding timelines involved, he says. 'Engage early with the council or a vacant homes officer for guidance,' Gilligan says. 'Be realistic about the scope and the scale of the works, especially in remote heritage areas.' 'We are always happy to support potential applicants and provide information.' Bridging-loan scheme One of the criticisms of the wider vacant property refurbishment scheme is that the grant is only paid out once works on the property are complete, meaning homeowners must pay for the work upfront. This means the scheme remains inaccessible for some. First-time buyers and fresh start applicants who cannot get bank funding, however, may be eligible for a Local Authority Purchase and Renovation loan – this is a government-backed mortgage and loan to buy and renovate a derelict or uninhabitable home. The loan comprises a fixed-rate mortgage and, helpfully, a bridging loan for the amount you have been approved for the vacant property refurbishment grant. You pay the bridging loan back as soon as you get the grant. The bridging loan is interest-only, which means you repay the balance and the interest but are not charged for the loan. Applicants must have a gross annual income of less than €70,000 for single applicants and €85,000 for joint applicants and your repayments must be less than 35 per cent of your net household income. Welcome There will be a welcome for permanent residents who want to move to an island under the scheme, says Rhoda Twombly, secretary of Comhdháil Oileáin Na hEireann, the representative body of Ireland's offshore islands. She has lived on one of the qualifying islands, Inishlyre, in Co Mayo's Clew Bay, for 26 years. She was resident on Inis Mór for 13 years before that. Housing, employment and education are all critical to the survival of island communities together with other vital infrastructure such as ferry connections and broadband, the organisation says. For those thinking of participating in the vacant island home scheme, most of the larger islands have builders, but it can take some organisation to get materials shipped out. Local builders will be well able to advise and cost this, Twombly says. As anyone who has undertaken a renovation project in recent years will be aware, €84,000 does not go very far in Ireland. This is especially so where building materials and some labour will have to be transferred by boat. Food on the islands can be expensive, with residents paying for the cost of its transport too. Broadband has hugely improved on the islands, Twombly says. She advises buyers to do their research on broadband and phone reception in an area before purchasing. It is a different culture and a different way of life – a better way of life Buying and renovating a home on an island is about more than just bricks and mortar as you will be buying into a sense of shared enterprise too. 'We would welcome families with kids with open arms because a lot of our schools are in trouble,' Twombly says. The ÁRAINN Gaeltachta initiative, however, provides funding for post-primary students from the mainland to spend a full school year attending any one of the three post-primary schools on the Aran Islands. Moving to one of the offshore islands is 'not for daydreamers', Twombly says. Islanders have to be quite versatile and their lives can be especially interconnected. Her partner, an island native, combines work for Irish Lights as a lighthouse attendant with being a postman, fishing, being a ferryman and a small farmer. Try out living on the island first before buying, she says. 'Don't just jump in, try it out. Some people have the misfortune of finding out too late that island life isn't for them. Just be aware that it is a different culture and a different way of life – a better way of life – and be aware of the costs,' she says. For new residents, island life can provide a change of pace, Twombly says. One recent London visitor reported a quality-of-sleep reading of '100 per cent' on his wearable sleep tracker, she says. 'To me, it's beautiful. Even on a day like today when the rain is going straight up and down, there is a sense of peace.'
The Guardian
23-06-2025
- The Guardian
Travels in Moominland: summer in Tove Jansson's Finland
It's after 10pm and the sky has only just lost the high blue of the day. Sitting by the Baltic Sea, toes in the water, I gaze at distant, tree-covered islands as gentle waves lap over the long, flat rocks. I follow a rough, winding path back to my cabin, through woods so quiet you can hear the pine needles fall. I'm in Santalahti woods, near Kotka on the south-east coast of Finland, on the trail of Finnish author, novelist, painter and illustrator Tove Jansson (1914-2001). Best known as creator of the Moomins, and for her love of island living, Jansson also wrote for adults. Last year, her first novel, The Summer Book, was made into a film starring Glenn Close and directed by Charlie McDowell. One film critic has described it as 'an ode to Finnish archipelago nature'. The Summer Book is a series of 22 vignettes on island summer living, featuring a young girl, Sophia, and her grandmother. I first read the slim volume in the early days of the Covid lockdown. During that uncertain, fearful time, and every year since, reading it has been a balm, a reminder to slow down and pay attention. I've come to Finland to explore Finnish summer living, fill my lungs with archipelago air and try to find a little of the stillness and wonder that Jansson's writing gives me. In Finland, summer is to be savoured. The south of the country receives just six hours of daylight a day in winter, and in the far north the sun remains below the horizon in December. It's this darkness that makes Finns revere and celebrate summer. Schoolchildren get a 10-week summer holiday, and most Finns take July off work. Summer is mostly spent in one of the half a million summer cottages, known as mökki, usually by a lake or on one of the tens of thousands of islands scattered along the coastline. Amenities vary, but there's a deep affection for traditional rustic cabins: off-grid, without electricity or running water, and definitely no wifi. Cottage living, or mökkielämä, is focused on slow living in harmony with nature: time in the woods, in the sea, picking berries, and relaxing in the sauna. I begin my journey on Pellinki, in the Porvoo archipelago, about an hour east of Helsinki. This part of Finland is bilingual. (Like 80% of Pellinki residents, Tove Jansson was a Swedish speaker; in Swedish the island is called Pellinge). It's a quick hop across the water on a free ferry into a different, slower pace of life. Through the woods I spy dozens of cute red and yellow painted cabins, each by a stretch of water. Tove spent many childhood summers on Pellinki, and she drew her first Moomin cartoon here – on the wall of an outhouse – as a teenager. To generate extra income, island families would rent their homes for the summer, moving into an outbuilding. Tove's family rented the home of the boat-building Gustafsson family. Abbe Gustafsson, the same age as Tove, became a lifelong friend and the children turned their daily chore of milk collection into an elaborate challenge: there were trees to be navigated in one direction, streams to jump over and 'evil' cracked rocks to sprint past. This childhood game was the inspiration for The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My, which has been adapted into the puzzle-solving outdoor Island Riddles trail. Clues are in rhyme, and I try a few, filtering water to make the next clue rise to the surface in a small well, and hunting for a red umbrella in the trees. 'You just have to play like a child and use your imagination,' Erika Englund, a local who devised the trail, tells me. From the woods you can see the small island of Bredskär, where the Jansson family built a house in 1947. Craving further solitude, Tove built a cabin on the even tinier island of Klovharun in 1964, where she spent 28 summers with her life partner, graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä. The couple lived a very simple life here, with the island, each other, and their vast imaginations for company. The landscapes of Pellinki, Bredskär and Klovharun are easily recognisable throughout Tove's work in all mediums. The sea and the weather play a central role: storms rage, belongings are lost and found in the sea, and life is lived with respect for the elements. Porvoo is the nearest town to Pellinki and a stopping point on the way to the archipelago. The old town is one of the best preserved in Finland, built after a catastrophic fire in 1760. I wander through the winding streets, admiring the colourful wooden homes and learning about the town's history as a salt trading port, with Birgitta Palmqvist from Porvoo Tours. I stay at the handsome art nouveau-style Runo hotel in the town centre. The building has been a bank and the town library, and now has 56 minimal, Finnish-style rooms, changing art displays and an award-winning breakfast. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion On the outskirts of Porvoo I visit Kannonnokka, where a sauna has been partly built into rock deep in the woods. Sauna culture is essential to Finns: in 2020, Unesco recognised Finnish sauna culture as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and there are an estimated 3.3 million saunas in a country of 5.6 million people (though everyone I speak to gives a higher number). Even in the tiny cabin on Klovharun there was a sauna in the cellar (more important than running water). Kannonnokka sauna is kept at 60C for longer, laidback sessions, with dips in the cold plunge pool and gently warm whirlpool bath. Afterwards, the young couple who run the venue cook delicious pancakes over the fire. As a young artist, Tove painted murals for local buildings in towns along the Finnish coast. In Kotka, 50 miles east of Porvoo, a huge fairytale mural remains on show in the town's youth work department. It's a delight, with layers of stories, hidden Moomin characters and gemstone embellishments. In Hamina, a neighbouring town, panoramic fantasy scenes decorate the walls of the town hall: mermaids flirt with cadets under water and shipwrecked treasure fills Hamina harbour. In Kotka, I visit Maritime Centre Vellamo, where Courage, Freedom, Love! A Moomin Adventure launched this year (it runs until March 2027) to mark 80 years since the first Moomin book was published. Children can play inside a replica Moomin house, clamber on the rocks surrounded by an animated sea, and dress up in a little theatre. Also on display is Tove and Tuulikki's boat, Victoria, built for the couple by Abbe Gustafsson. From Kotka I catch a free ferry to Kaunissaari (90 minutes). The island's name translates to 'beautiful island' – fitting, given its pine forests, long white beaches and pretty marina. The harbour is a cluster of red wooden cottages with wildflower gardens, and boat sheds with spooled fishing nets outside. There's a fascinating island museum, packed to the rafters with memorabilia from centuries of hardy island living. I follow winding paths through the trees to find a long, sandy beach, which I have all to myself. I can't resist a swim – even without a sauna to plunge into. I warm up at Kaunissaaren Maja restaurant, where the simple salmon soup recipe has not changed in 70 years. Near Kotka I stay in my own little summer cottage. The amenities are basic: a kitchen diner and one bedroom, but of course a sauna. I set it to heat then spend an hour walking through the woods and around the bay, watching the sunset. The long daylight hours are perfect for happihyppely, a Finnish concept translated literally as 'oxygen hopping': taking a short walk for fresh air and exercise. Back at my cabin I jump between the heat of the sauna and dips in the icy Baltic Sea. I exhale, with the night, the light and the summer stretching out in front of me. I can see why Tove Jansson loved this coastline: all I need for a dreamy summer is right here. The trip was provided by Visit Finland. Runo Hotel in Porvoo has doubles from €171 B&B. Self-catering cabins at Santalahti resort start from €89 (sleep two); sauna cottages from €198 (sleeps up to four)
