Had enough of nosy neighbours? Community watch groups not really your thing? Sick of getting noise complaints every time you have a few people round? Just pack it all in and move to a private manmade island in the middle of the sea.
This is not a (military) drill — two sea defence forts turned party pads could be yours (if you've got quite a bit of dosh). No Mans Fort and Spitbank Fort, both on the Solent on England’s south coast, are due to go up for auction next month.
The structures were built more than 150 years ago between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to defend against possible French invasion. Back then, they were known as the Palmerston Forts but because they never saw any action, they earned the nickname of Palmerston's Follies.
They were decommissioned by the Ministry of Defence in 1956 and right now, they’re both being used as luxury hotels. The two islands do have permission to be turned into residential properties though, if you’d rather keep them all to yourself.
Over its four floors, No Mans Fort has 23 bedrooms, staff quarters, a restaurant, bars, a traditional English pub, a rooftop terrace and a nightclub. It can entertain up to 200 guests.
Its neighbour is a little smaller with three floors, nine bedrooms, a restaurant, bars, a wine cave, a games room, a pool and spa facilities. You’d also get to take advantage of a rooftop terrace, a sun deck and a fire pit.
The duo is heading under the hammer on June 18, with a guide price of £1 million each. Whether you’re a serious buyer or just want to be nosy, take a glimpse at the properties down below.
No Mans Fort
Spitbank Fort
You can peruse the full listings here and here.
In other property news Prince William is building a massive estate in southeast England, an incredible library of 120,000 rare books is on the market and a northern town was named Britain’s mouldiest place to live.
Did you see that the UK’s best stargazing destination has been crowned?
Plus: These are England’s worst roads for traffic.
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