Khaberni - Have you ever dreamed of escaping the hustle and bustle of cities and living on a remote island? The opportunity is now available on the small Bardsey Island, which is located just two miles off the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales.
The island has only three permanent residents and lacks public electricity, cars, or indoor plumbing, yet it attracts thousands of visitors annually, thanks to its stunning natural beauty and rich history.
The island, known in Welsh as Ynys Enlli, has 15 properties used either as vacation spots or accommodations for seasonal workers. It recently announced 3 job vacancies, starting from March next year, with all positions offering free accommodation for employees, according to the British newspaper "The Sun".
The available positions
1- Visitor Reception Assistant
This job will be part of the visitor welcome team, with shared accommodation provided, complete with internet and a communal area for food growing. Visitors can reach the island via a 20-minute boat trip from Porth Meudwy costing 50 British pounds. The boat has a capacity of 12 people, and trips operate subject to weather and demand, according to the Bardsey Island Boat Trips website.
The island and its features
Bardsey is distinguished as being the first sanctuary for dark skies in Europe, besides being a national nature reserve and a site of special scientific interest. The island also carries a rich Celtic Christian legacy, being a center of power and a sacred place in the Middle Ages, and it is referred to as the "island of 20,000 saints" due to the legend of 20,000 saints buried there. In the 12th century, Pope Calixtus II declared three pilgrimages to it, and traditional poets described it as "the gates of paradise".
2- Position for Farmers or Families
This job requires agricultural experience and starts in September 2026, with work handover periods throughout the year with the current tenants. The employee will be provided with livestock and farming equipment upon arrival and will move into an off-grid three-room farmhouse, with an organic outside toilet. Despite having only three permanent residents, the island hosts about 200 grey seals and 300 sheep, making the sheep to human ratio higher than that of New Zealand.
3- Project Manager
The job includes managing outreach and engagement projects on the island and the mainland, working part-time from home, with a salary of 26,437 British pounds based on the proportion of work performed.
The Challenges
Those eager to work must be prepared to live in an environment akin to stepping back in time, where there is no public electricity, cars, or indoor facilities. Also, mobile phone coverage is weak due to the island's location, 55 miles west of Ireland.
