Situated in Snowdonia National Park in North Wales The Ugly House, or Ty Hyll in Welsh, appears to unfairly labeled.
Legend has it that its origins date from the 1500s when two outlaw brothers homesteaded the land. At the time the law allowed that if between sunset and sunrise you could build four walls and have smoke coming out of the chimney the building was yours. A property line was defined by standing at each corner of the house and throwing an axe as far as you could.
It’s unclear why it was named The Ugly House. One account maintains the home was named for the less than attractive outlaws, who used it as a hideout.
The last private owner moved out in the 1960s. The cottage lay derelict until the late 1980s when the Snowdonia Society bought it. It is open to the public during the peak summer season.
What do you think? Is this house ugly?
6 comments:
What an interesting story, Wendy. If only it were so simple these days to get a home...
strangely someone today was mentioning this custom of building a small house to get ownership
Andrew and Heather,
If the laws were still the same I'd be developing my axe hurling skills.
No, I don't think its ugly at all. It has a lot of character. Not sure I'd want to live in it, though.
Its lovely! Like a hardcore yet still romantic fairytale (:
Fly Girl, the setting in the national park is gorgeous. I'd be happy here for a week long stay.
Ana, It is very fairytale like. Looks like Gnomes would be happy here.
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