Island House, Colonial heritage building in Yuen Chau Tsai, Hong Kong

Island House is a two-story colonial building in Yuen Chau Tsai with open verandahs and red-brick facades, set within gardens containing native and ornamental plants. The property preserves the layout and architectural details characteristic of early British administrative residences in the region.

Island House was built in 1906 as the residence of the first British Police Magistrate appointed in 1898, and later served as the official residence of the North District Officer and the District Commissioners for the New Territories. From 1949, 15 District Commissioners lived there, the last being Sir David Akers-Jones, who became Chief Secretary in 1985. It was declared a monument in 1983 and handed to WWF Hong Kong in 1986.

The place is now used by WWF Hong Kong as a conservation education center where visitors learn about protecting nature and living sustainably. Rooms are arranged to help people understand local environmental issues and regional wildlife protection efforts.

Island House stands on Island House Lane in Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po, and is reached from the Tai Po waterfront area. The building is run by WWF Hong Kong as a conservation studies centre, so visits and guided tours are arranged with WWF in advance rather than by walking in. Ask which rooms and garden areas are open before travelling.

Island House has a lighthouse on its roof that guided boats through Tolo Harbour at night in its early years. The building was originally reached by a pier, since Yuen Chau Tsai was then a small island linked to the mainland only by a causeway; reclamation for the Tai Po new town later joined it to the land.