No Man’s Land Fort, a Victorian sea fort in the Solent, opened as a 22-suite luxury hotel in April 2015, but it closed to the public in 2020 and was sold at auction in 2024 for about £1.25 million, so you cannot stay there in 2026 unless a new operator reopens it. The fort sits about 2.3 kilometres off the Isle of Wight and was built between 1867 and 1880 to protect Portsmouth.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1867 to 1880, cost £462,500 |
| Location | The Solent, about 2.3 km off the Isle of Wight |
| Hotel opened | April 2015, 22 suites |
| Closed to the public | 2020 |
| Auction sale | 2024, reported as £1.25 million |
| Status | Closed, with an agent seeking a tenant or operator |
About No Man’s Land Fort
The fort was built in the Solent as one of the Palmerston Forts. England feared a French invasion so much that it built a series of intimidating sea forts off its southern coast, but by the time this one was completed in 1880 the threat had passed. It cost £462,500 to build, which was reportedly equivalent to £43.4 million at 2010 prices.
Over the years it has been used as a luxury home and hospitality centre for high-paying guests, and it has closed and reopened several times.
The hotel years
In March 2012, Clarenco LLP bought No Man’s Land Fort, along with Spitbank Fort and Horse Sand Fort, planning to refurbish them as hotels. The forts were run under the AmaZing Venues name, whose first project, Spitbank Fort, opened in 2012, ahead of No Man’s Fort opened in April 2015.
No Man’s Fort was three times the size of Spitbank, with four floors and 75,000 square feet of play and lounge space. It had a cabaret bar, a nightclub, a laser tag arena, hot tub BBQ facilities, a mini golf area and a rooftop glass atrium. Guests could also use the spa, shops, restaurants, a rooftop bar and firepit, and a LaZer Battle Arena.
The 22 suites started at $670 per night at launch in 2015, or $1,700 for the lighthouse penthouse. The fort could hold 44 guests overnight and 200 people for parties and events. Water sports on offer included RIB rides, jet biking, sea kayaking and kite surfing.
A spokesman for AmaZing Venues said: ‘No Man’s Fort is an inspiring private island that offers an unreal experience.
‘It is three times the size of Spitbank Fort and boasts its own lighthouse with spectacular views across the Solent.
‘You’d think being a mile offshore is unique enough, but we’ve crammed every possible space with unusual things to see and experience.’
Source: AmaZing Venues. Check out the other project the company has at: amazingvenues.co.uk.
Closure and sale
Local reporting says the venue closed to the public in 2020. The fort, with Spitbank and Horse Sand, was listed for sale that year, and No Man’s Fort was described as a roughly 99,000 square foot hotel, restaurant and leisure complex on four floors with a helipad. It sold at auction in 2024 to a London buyer, Edward Ward, who called it an impulse buy. Accounts of the price differ slightly, from just over £1 million to £1.25 million.
The new owner has been looking for an operator, and an agent was appointed to find a tenant. We found no confirmed reopening date. Spitbank Fort is now in private ownership after its period as a luxury hotel.
Staying at a sea fort now
Not at this one for now. Check the agent or operator for news before planning a trip. If you like unusual stays, read about this Japanese hotel run by the same family for the last 1,300 years.
FAQ
Can you stay at No Man’s Land Fort in 2026?
No. The hotel closed to the public in 2020, and the fort was sold at auction in 2024. The owner has been seeking an operator, and we found no confirmed reopening.
How much did it sell for?
Reports say about £1.25 million at auction in 2024, though some accounts say slightly over £1 million.
How much did a stay cost?
At the 2015 launch, the 22 suites started at $670 per night and the lighthouse penthouse at $1,700.
When was No Man’s Land Fort built?
Between 1867 and 1880, at a cost of £462,500.
Where is No Man’s Land Fort?
In the Solent, about 2.3 kilometres off the Isle of Wight, near Portsmouth, England.
Last updated: October 2026.
