FAQ's
1. Commitment to the Residency
Artists are expected to fully engage with the residency, using the time on Ynys Enlli to focus on their creative work. We do not expect you to deliver finished works at the end of the project.
2. Delivery of a Workshop or Public Engagement:
As part of the residency, each artist is asked to deliver a workshop or engage with the local community, whether through talks, open studios, or working directly with residents or visitors. This is an essential part of the residency, offering artists the opportunity to give back and share their practice. The event can be advertised on a board in front of Yard Nant. Please bring all the tools and materials required with you. You can expect up to 10 people for a session. For a workshop, you are welcome to charge between £5-£10 to cover the cost of materials.
3. Documentation of The Experience:
Artists should take time to document their process and experience while on the island. This may include photographs, written reflections, or any other form of documentation that helps capture the essence of their time on Ynys Enlli. Upon returning to the mainland, we invite artists to participate in an Artist Takeover week on the Celf Enlli Instagram. For any content shared regarding the project, please invite Celf Enlli as a collaborator, and we will share it on our network.
Tag @celfenlli and @enllibardsey on any posts you share, before, during, or after the residency that relates to the project. We will ask you to fill in a feedback form upon returning home, which helps us secure funding for future years.
4. Contribution to the Community:
While on the island, artists are encouraged to be part of the community, respecting the local environment, culture, and the work of other residents. This includes acting as ambassadors for the trust and fostering positive relationships with fellow artists and island residents.
BOAT CROSSING
What time will our boat leave?
We are unable to confirm the time of your boat crossing.
You will need to phone Colin Evans, the boatman, on 07971769895, the evening before you are due to cross to Bardsey. Colin will leave a recorded message after 6.30pm that evening with time you will need to be at Cwrt Farm the following day with your luggage ready to be taken down to the boat in Porth Meudwy. As a rule, crossings start in the morning and run until early afternoon.
Remember to label your luggage clearly with the name of your house you’ll be staying in. Boxes and bags should be easy to handle on and off the boat and should be weatherproof for the journey.
Arrival at Cwrt Farm
You do not need to book the boat crossing, or parking.
Please drive up the farm entrance, past the farmhouse on your right and park your car in the field behind the house. Please do not approach the household’s doorway, payment for parking can be made by depositing cash or cheque to G Roberts into the collection bucket that will be clearly visible. Please bring the correct amount (£20 per car per week), as no change will be given.
Please note that there are no public toilets at Cwrt. The nearest public toilets at the National Trust car park in Aberdaron. You may wish to stop here before proceeding to the farm.
Once you’re parked up, the luggage transportation vehicle will arrive shortly, and you will be instructed on what to do next. The boat travel for artists is paid by the trust, just let Colin know you are an Artist in Resident.
How is all our luggage taken to the boat and to our accommodation once we arrive on the island?
Your luggage will be taken by a 4×4 and trailer down to the boat at Porth Meudwy and will be met from the boat by the tractor and trailer or a buggy once you arrive on Bardsey.
Please ensure your luggage is in small easily handled boxes and bags, as they need to be lifted onto the boat. We kindly ask you not to pack everything into a large heavy suitcase.
What happens if the weather’s boat crossing is delayed?
If the weather is too bad for the boat to cross on the day originally planned Colin Evans, the boatman, will get you over on the next available day. Please call 07971 769895 for a recorded update on crossing times.
WHAT TO BRING
Luggage
Please pack your luggage carefully, bearing in mind that you will need to be able to lift each bag/box above shoulder height to get it on and off the boat and trailer and that it may also get wet! A few smaller waterproof bags are better than one big case. Please keep it to approx. 30kg per person.
Also ensure luggage is packed tightly / sealed to ensure no stowaway rats make it to the island. If rats were to be introduced onto the island, even accidentally, they would decimate our seabird populations. Plastic storage boxes are ideal. Don’t forget to clearly label each bag and box with the name of the house where you’ll be staying otherwise they may get mislaid in transit.
What do we need to bring with us for our stay on Bardsey?
Please bring the following items for your stay on the island:
- Sufficient food and drink. There is no grocery shop on the island, except what is available from the farm and café, where evening meals and breakfast can be booked in advance.
- Footwear and clothing for all weather. Slippers for indoors, as floors are cold
- Duvet cover for each bed – duvets are provided
- Base bed sheet for each bed (Loft Nant has two single beds)
- Pillowcases
- Warm pyjamas, as there is no heating in bedrooms
- Towels and washing kit
- Tea towels
- A good torch, head torch and spare batteries – the use of candles and tea-lights is not permitted.
Important
Medication – if you use any medication please ensure that you bring extra supplies to last at least another week.
Additional equipment
There is a limit to the amount of luggage that can be carried on the boat, however, the following may enhance your Enlli experience:
- Pair of binoculars
- Art materials
- Fishing rod / bait
- Musical instruments (not too big!)
- Camera and spare batteries
- Mobile phone
- Cash – there is a gift shop on the island.
What we supply
Washing up liquid
Dish washing sponge and cleaning cloths
Your kitchen has all the utensils you need.
Toilet roll
Pillows and duvet for each bed
Hot water bottles
ACCOMMODATION LlOFT NANT
What Is the accommodation like?
Images are available here: https://www.bardsey.org/book
Loft Nant is at the top of the Island opposite the Chapel.
Kitchen
Each house comes with a fully equipped kitchen with crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans, a gas cooker with hob, oven and grill and a small fridge freezer.
Electricity
There is one socket in Lloft Nant to power the fridge, Small solar lamps are provided. We recommend bringing a head torch or two and some spare batteries for your stay…especially for any evening trips to the toilet!
Bedroom
The bedroom is upstairs and has two single beds
Washing Facilities
There are no bathrooms or showers in any of Bardsey’s guest houses, washing bowls are provided. You use water from the water butt outside. You heat your washing water on the stove in a big pan provided. There are plenty of bowls in the houses, so you can take it to your room to wash.
Toilet
The toilets for guests are simple compost toilets in the garden of the accommodation. They have a toilet seat above a bucket. When you use the toilet, only toilet paper must be put in the toilet, bins are provided for all other non-compostable materials. A small sprinkling of sawdust is added after use. You will need to empty the toilet during your stay. Gloves are provided for this and the Wardens will explain the process on your arrival.
Heating
There is a Calor gas heater if it gets cold.
What is the Studio like?
The Studio is next door to the accommodation in Yard Nant, it has a wooden floor, stone walls and a slate roof with roof light. There is no artificial light, please bring a rechargeable worklight if you would like to work in the evenings.
AMENITIES ON THE ISLAND
Is there food available?
Please bring your own food and drink with you as there is no grocery shop on the island. However, the café, run by the Roberts family, serves various drinks, ice cream, snacks and homemade cakes daily. Tŷ Pellaf is licensed to sell alcohol, reducing the need to bring your supplies with you. A full breakfast, especially on departure days, at a time to suit you, is available and the café offers evening meals or takeaways on specific nights. If you need more details or specific information, please do get in touch with the farm, prior notification of your requirements will help with preparation of your order.
As well as the café, the farm sells fresh free-range island eggs, crabs and lobsters boiled or fresh straight off the boat, again please get in touch in advance to check availability and place an order.
To contact Tŷ Pellaf Café, please phone 07811743154 or e-mail wgroberts@hotmail.co.uk.
You do not need to bring water, drinking water is piped to every property.
Is there WiFi on Bardsey?
There is no guest WiFi on the island, however, you may pick up a small amount of 4G or 5G signal on some parts of the island.
Charging
There is one socket for electricity in the Loft Nant, that runs the fridge. You can use this to charge small items
YNYS ENLLI COMMUNITY WHOSE WHO
The Bardsey Island Trust
The primary organization responsible for managing the island and its holiday lets, you will likely meet Emyr Glyn Owen & Mari Huws, Island Wardens who have lived on Enlli since 2019 they live with their daughter Lleucu in Ty Bach.
Lois Roberts & Aron Llwyd – Island Wardens are responsible for daily operations and running the guest accommodation on Bardsey and will often have a volunteer crew base helping the with changeovers.
Artist in Resident Carole Shearman
Artist Carole Shearman is a returning artist-in-residence on Ynys Enlli , known for her creative workshops and community engagement. She has a background as a former Steiner teacher and has spent several summers on the island. She maintains an open-door policy, welcoming visitors to join her in her creative endeavours. Carol Shearman is scheduled to stay on Ynys Enlli between June and September. During this period, she will be residing in a studio adjacent to the Artist Residency Studio at Llofft Nant. Her presence on the island offers a valuable opportunity for artists to engage with a seasoned creative practitioner and to participate in unique, nature-inspired art sessions
Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory
The Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory was founded in 1953, based in the old farmhouse at Cristin it has been monitoring the island’s birds and wildlife ever since.
The current Warden and Director of Operations is Steven Stansfield, who has been resident on the island since January 1998. Along with his partner Emma Stansfield and a large team of paid and volunteers’ roles they monitor bird and animal life on Enlli all year round.
Boat Operator
Access to Bardsey Island is primarily via boat. Private operator Colin Evans runs the service from Porth Meudwy. Incredible knowledgeable on all movements of the swnt.
Caffi Ynys Enlli Located at Fferm Ty Pellaf
Gareth and Meriel Roberts live and farm the land on the island over the summer and provide seasonal home cooked meals, menu here: www.facebook.com/caffienllicafe
To contact Tŷ Pellaf Café, please phone 07811743154 or e-mail wgroberts@hotmail.co.uk.
Island Chaplain
The chaplain arranges and publicizes services in the chapel or School, as well as being available for quiet conversation with day visitors and those staying on the island