The run-down property was shrouded by a tangle of trees and bushes – and no one knew where the keys were
05:00, 17 Jan 2026Updated 10:00, 17 Jan 2026
When Ryan and Jen viewed the property, it was partly obscured by trees and bushes (Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)
An Anglesey couple bought a run-down house without seeing inside – and were amazed what they found. Ryan Knight and wife Jen Peters-McKnight, both 47, submitted a “cheeky bid” for the dilapidated property and were bowled over when their offer was accepted.
They decided to film their renovation journey as they began the arduous process of clearing “tonnes and tonnes of junk”. In the week since they completed the purchase, they’ve become instant social media stars: their first video went viral, surpassing two million views in six days.
The couple currently live on a tenanted smallholding in Bodedern where they run a livery. Looking for a renovation project, they chanced on a pink-painted 1970s house listed for auction and realised they had to have it.
Jen said: “Initially we were looking for a small house so we could do a flip and sell. But then I came across this property on Rightmove. Realising it was just down the road, we drove there next day.
“Sadly, the previous owners had fallen ill and the property had been empty for at least a couple of years. It was covered in bushes with vegetation growing into the house and an old caravan abandoned outside.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get in because no one knew where the keys were – we asked the auctioneers several times. We managed to get through the trees and bushes so we could peer inside – but the windows were so dirty we couldn’t really see anything.
“We were told squatters had been using it. The location was fabulous – beautiful woodland, two streams and a pond. So we put in a cheeky bid the same day we visited.” Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
After clearing bushes and trees, Ryan and Jen can now reach the front door without battling brambles(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)
Although the property was up for auction, offers could be submitted in advance. Ryan and Jen’s initial bid was rejected but they weren’t deterred.
Back home, more investigations revealed an enticing feature not mentioned in the sales literature. Jen said: “We looked it up on Google Earth and, viewed from above, we discovered there was a big glass peak at the centre of the house.
“It was an atrium, quite a unique feature. So we submitted another cheeky bid just before the auction was due.”
To their surprise, this was accepted. Contracts were exchanged on Friday, January 9, and the property was promptly christened the “Pink House”.
Vines growing inside the property(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)
After forcing their way inside, they were in for a double shock. “As soon as we got in, we found a big bunch of door keys hanging up!” said Jen.
“But we’ve changed all the locks anyway, and bought a new door to ensure the place is secure: we don’t want urban explorers trying to get inside. We’re here most of the time anyway.
“Inside was piled high with junk – there was tonnes and tonnes of it. We don’t know if squatters brought in stuff but it looks like the previous owners may have had an hoarding issue.
“There was lots of brand new stuff – clothes still with tags on, rugs still wrapped in plastic. There were new towels, new bedsheets – lots of stuff. But there was also mounds of rubbish that will have to be removed in skips. It looks like the previous owners had good intentions but it never materialised.”
The ‘Pink House’ in its heyday(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)
From cardboard boxes to plastic chairs, boxes and bags – even spare sinks and rolled-up carpets – the sheer volume of detritus meant it was difficult to move around the house.
The first job was to cut bushes obscuring the front steps, the second was to create a path through the house. Only then could they start clearing rooms of rubbish – while dicing with “giant spiders”.
This threw up more surprises. “From the outside we could see it was a decent-sized house,” said Jen. “But it only when we finally got inside that we realised just how big it was – there’s almost 3,000ft of floor space!
“We found the house also had lots of big arched windows. These and other features gives it a bit of a Spanish or Mediterranean feel.”
As well as four bedrooms, the Pink House has four bathrooms and loo room by the front door. There are two spacious reception rooms, an atrium and a large kitchen, where grime-stuck cupboard doors were forced open to reveal a sizeable stock of decaying food. “Someone forgot to do the dishes!” said Ryan, a gundog trainer, in one of his progress videos.
Ryan has been clearing rooms of rubbish despite an aversion to spiders(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)
Jen began posting clips of the renovation process on the day the couple completed their purchase. To her shock, her Facebook followers leapt from 600 to 76,500 within six days.
Realising the amount of interest, she’s now launched @thepinkhousediaries2026 channels on YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok. Also new is a Facebook subscription option providing premium content, with an early bird 50% discount on the normal 99p-a-month payment.
“We’ve had interest from all over the world,” she said. “A lot of people want to know where Anglesey is! As Ryan has an Irish accent, a few people have asked if we’re in Ireland.
“I thought we could monetise our posts to help pay for the renovations. There’s been so much interest that I’m getting a social media consultant in to see what else can be done.” Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter – sent every Friday
Rubbish piled high in the foyer(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)
At the moment the couple are still full of excitement and wonder at the spectacular property they bought almost by accident. They have a mountain of work ahead of them: new electric wiring and plumbing is needed throughout, and some floorboards and plasterwork need need replacing. When the builders and tradespeople move in, Ryan will continue as a labourer.
The aim is to move in properly in 12 months. “Buying the house was a big leap of faith,” said Jen. “We know it had been up for sale multiple times with no successful offers.
“It had been effectively abandoned, and the mortgage company wanted it sold. It’s exciting, we’ve never taken on such a big challenge but we’re looking forward to it. We have good friends who are helping us, which makes a big difference.
“We’re going to take the house back to how it used to be. It will be beautiful. Our dream is to move in by next Christmas, and we’ll be sharing our progress as we go along.”
You can follow the couple’s progress on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. The TikTok page is here.
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