A historic fort with 23 bedrooms and a helipad which once featured in Doctor Who has been listed for £1.5million.
No Man’s Land Fort, located in the heart of the Solent, set between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, offers an ideal haven for those fed up with their noisy neighbours.
Boasting panoramic views, the Victorian island fort dates back more than 160 years and was one of four sea forts built in 1860 as a line of defence against possible invasion by Napoleon III.
With approximately 99,000 square feet of space for its new owners to roam, the four-storey fort has now been transformed into self-contained luxury private accommodation.
Despite its historic roots, its old-world charm has created space for modern amenities, with the site featuring five bars and a restaurant, alongside a ‘huge scope for conversion’.
Alongside The Carabet Bar nightclub, restaurant and Lord Nelson Pub, there is even a mini spa with four treatment rooms and a sauna for its new owners to enjoy.
Prospective owners will also benefit from a luxurious helipad and ownership of a Catamaran alongside two landing stages for visitors set to arrive by sea.
Described as a ‘unique piece of British maritime history’ and a ‘one-of-a-kind property’, the fort, listed by estate agent Colliers, offers both a ‘huge amount of space’ and incredible potential.
It was even used as a filming location for several scenes in the 1972 Doctor Who serial The Sea Devils, starring Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor, Katy Manning as his companion and Roger Delgado as the Master.
The fort is fully self-contained with its own private water source in the form of an artesian well and comes equipped with marine generators, and sewage treatment plant.
Formerly a four-star hotel, the 150-year-old ‘sea fortress’ was snapped up by auction buyer Edward Ward earlier this year at a price of £1.25million as an ‘impulse buy’.
However, it is now back on the market – offering a ‘rare opportunity to make a mark in a truly unique location’, Ed Jefferson, from Colliers Hotels team explained.
Mr Jefferson added: ‘The remote location provides either great privacy or exclusivity for potential guests and clients.
‘It could be a great location for multiple hospitality and leisure operators together, or one tenant could take the whole site, we’re open to proposals.’
The listing also confirmed that ‘planning has been obtained to construct a breakwater and harbour to improve boat water access’.
The agents also added that they have already received ‘various interest from prospective buyers’, with there a ‘real interest in ensuring that the fort has a future as an active property.’
Its sister fort, Spitbank Sea Fort, also went on auction last year, with Robin Howeson, head of Savills Auctions, telling the Daily Mail at the time that sea forts often ‘achieve impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets’.
Nestled in the waters off Portsmouth Harbour, Spitbank Sea Fort boasts approximately 33,000 sq. ft. of space and 15ft thick granite fort walls.
The fort was constructed in the 1860s to safeguard Portsmouth against potential naval threats from French ironclad warships.
It has also been meticulously transformed into self-contained private accommodation.
Guided at a value of £1million, Mr Howeson described both No Man’s and Spitbank Fort as properties of ‘exceptional market value’.
He added: ‘Both offer an opportunity like no other; a waterfront location, up to 99,000 sqft of space and a chance to champion the heritage and legacy of these iconic maritime structures.’