{"id":376664,"date":"2026-01-18T09:45:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T09:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/376664\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T09:45:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T09:45:12","slug":"couple-left-stunned-after-buying-abandoned-welsh-house-without-stepping-inside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/376664\/","title":{"rendered":"Couple left stunned after buying abandoned Welsh house without stepping inside"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welsh couple’s renovation videos of junk-filled 1970s property go viral with on social media over two million views in six daysAndrew Forgrave Countryside and tourism editor and Joanne Ridout<\/a> Property Editor<\/p>\n

04:28, 18 Jan 2026<\/p>\n

\"After<\/p>\n

After clearing bushes and trees, Ryan and Jen can now reach the front door without battling brambles(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)<\/p>\n

A couple from Anglesey<\/a> purchased a derelict property without viewing the interior – and were astonished by what they discovered. Ryan Knight and his wife Jen Peters-McKnight, both aged 47, made a “cheeky bid” on the run-down house and were pleasantly surprised when their offer was successful.<\/p>\n

The pair decided to document their renovation journey<\/a> as they embarked on the challenging task of removing “tonnes and tonnes of junk”. Since completing the purchase just eight days ago, they’ve achieved instant fame on social media<\/a>, with their inaugural video going viral and amassing over two million views within six days.<\/p>\n

Currently living on a rented smallholding near Bodedern, where they operate a livery business, the couple had been searching for a renovation project<\/a> when they stumbled upon a pink-painted 1970s property listed at a property auction<\/a> and knew they had found what they were looking for. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: ‘We bought a house with damp, cracks, leaks an<\/a>d no clue what to do – here’s what you need to know’<\/a><\/p>\n

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Welsh cottage looks like it’s sat in the<\/a> Au<\/a>stralian Outback<\/a><\/p>\n

\"When<\/p>\n

When Ryan and Jen viewed the property, it was partly obscured by trees and bushes(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)<\/p>\n

Jen explained: “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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“We were told squatters had been using it, but the location was fabulous – beautiful woodland, two streams and a pond. So we put in a cheeky bid the same day we visited.”<\/p>\n

Despite the property being listed for auction, prospective buyers could submit offers beforehand. Ryan and Jen’s first offer was turned down, but this didn’t discourage them.<\/p>\n

Returning home, further research uncovered an appealing characteristic absent from the marketing materials. 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.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The ‘Pink House’ in its heyday(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)<\/p>\n

Much to their astonishment, this second offer was accepted. The exchange of contracts took place on Friday, 9 January, 2026 and the property was immediately dubbed the “Pink House”.<\/p>\n

When the couple first went into the Pink House they encountered an unexpected discovery. “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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“There was lots of brand new stuff \u2013 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.”<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/p>\n

Ryan has been clearing rooms of rubbish despite an aversion to spiders(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)<\/p>\n

The property was littered with everything from cardboard boxes to plastic chairs, bags, spare sinks and rolled-up carpets. The sheer scale of debris made it almost impossible to navigate through the building.<\/p>\n

The couple’s initial task involved trimming overgrown bushes that blocked the front entrance, followed by carving out a pathway through the interior. Only after these steps could they begin the room-by-room clearance whilst contending with “giant spiders”.<\/p>\n

This process revealed further unexpected discoveries. “From the outside we could see it was a decent-sized house,” Jen explained, “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.”<\/p>\n

\"Vines<\/p>\n

Vines growing inside the property(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)<\/p>\n

Beyond its four bedrooms, the Pink House contains four bathrooms and a cloakroom near the entrance. Two generous reception rooms, an atrium and an expansive kitchen complete the layout, where grime-encrusted cupboard doors had to be prised open, exposing a substantial collection of rotting food.<\/p>\n

“Someone forgot to do the dishes!” remarked Ryan, a gundog trainer, in one of his update videos. Jen started sharing videos of the renovation journey on the day they completed the purchase and to her astonishment, her Facebook<\/a> following surged from 600 to 76,500 in just six days.<\/p>\n

Recognising the significant interest, she has now established @thepinkhousediaries2026 across YouTube, Instagram<\/a> and TikTok. “We’ve had interest from all over the world,” she said. “A lot of people want to know where Anglesey is!<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

\"Rubbish<\/p>\n

Rubbish piled high in the foyer(Image: @thepinkhousediaries2026)<\/p>\n

Currently, the pair remain filled with excitement and amazement at the remarkable property they acquired almost by chance. They face a substantial amount of work: complete rewiring and new plumbing throughout are required, whilst certain floorboards and plasterwork need replacement.<\/p>\n

Once builders and tradespeople arrive, Ryan will carry on working as a labourer. Their goal is to move in fully within 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.<\/p>\n

“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<\/a>, and we’ll be sharing our progress as we go along.”<\/p>\n

For more property, renovation, and interior design stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here<\/a>.<\/p>\n