I think I'd go for Land more than property, although house prises are on a increase for investment I still believe that Land would be a better investment.
Your best bet would be to see a financial adviser, but at your age....perhaps a dabble in a property would be a good idea, although you wouldn't get much for £50,000 and presumably you would have to take a mortgage out for the rest.
I think any investment in land would require specialised knowledge. I believe there are lots of conmen selling plots of land which are supposed to be for housing but, in reality, will never get planning consent.
Are you prepared to tie it up long term?
How much risk are you happy to take?
Is this investment for "fun" or do you need to grow the money for a specific purpose?
Might you need instant access to it?
Buy top make vintage film camera's. I buy and sell these on ebay and the prices are rising far above inflation and the bank rate, some models have increased in value by over 300% in 2 years ! Remember they are not made any more and intrest is incresing rapidly.
Thank you all for your answers some are very interesting - the idea of buying a rolex is attractive but not really one I would follow. Same with the cameras - know nothing about them. But good luck with your investments
I will have the money when I sell my other house to my son. He has been renting it from me for a year and I have told him he can buy it for 2/3 of the market value - leaving the 1/3 each for me and my other son - I want to deduct a sum for alterations to my house and I dont intend to give son 2 his share until he is ready to put a deposit on a property otherwise it would last him 2 months probably
We bought the lease on a "studio apartment" (bed-sit) at auction last year. Total cost including solicitors and renovation was <£45,000. It let out almost straight away for £350 pcm (ie £4,000 pa before expenses).
A return of ~9%. Can't get that in any bank and there is still potential for capital growth too.
I would be in property. There is a call for 5 - 6 bedroomed houses near where I live. The Asian population are keen on large families and like to stay together, they have been buying two semi-detached houses totally gutting them replacing the roofs and windows and knocking them through to make one residence. And doing a good job on them. There must be some money in that for a partnership.
£50,000 is a small amount of money in the scheme of things - you wouldn't get a house down here for that figure. I'd invest in something like a 4-year bond.