Stunning Welsh Island with Historic Fort and Modern Luxuries Hits Market for £3 Million

Published: 08 August. The English Chronicle Online

A remarkable opportunity has emerged for discerning buyers seeking a unique blend of British naval history and off-grid luxury living. Thorne Island, a Grade II listed 19th-century fort nestled off the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales, is now on the market for £3 million. This extraordinary private island combines rich heritage with modern comforts, offering a rare chance to own a secluded haven with striking sea views and an adventurous spirit.

Constructed in the 1850s as part of Lord Palmerston’s coastal defence network, Thorne Island was originally designed to protect the Royal Dockyards at Milford Haven from potential French naval threats. Built to house 100 soldiers, the fort’s sturdy ramparts and strategic location reflect a bygone era of British military vigilance. Over the decades, the island’s role has evolved — it has served as a hotel, a family residence, and endured a period of neglect, during which time its structure suffered significant deterioration.

The current owner, tech entrepreneur Mike Conner, acquired the island in 2017 and embarked on an extensive restoration project, investing around £2 million to revive the fort’s historic charm while integrating state-of-the-art amenities. The renovation included installing hardwood double-glazed sash windows costing £240,000, and implementing a comprehensive renewable energy system valued at £300,000. This system comprises solar panels, battery storage, an air source heat pump, and a biodigester, ensuring the property is entirely off-grid and self-sufficient.

Spanning approximately 2.49 acres, the island is accessible by boat to a private jetty or by helicopter via a dedicated helipad located on its western edge. The fort’s interior offers five bedrooms, a mezzanine-level sleeping area, and a sea-view office, all enhanced with underfloor heating. Visitors are welcomed through historic entrance gates into an expansive open-plan reception area featuring exposed traditional brickwork, vaulted ceilings, double-aspect sash windows, and a cozy wood-burning stove. The modern kitchen, seamlessly connected to a snug with sea views and another wood-burning stove, offers a perfect blend of comfort and character.

Outside, the grounds boast a lawned courtyard ideal for sheltered entertaining, alongside storage rooms and elevated areas that host the helipad and a rooftop bar complete with a built-in bar and games room. The island’s rugged coastline is peppered with caves, rocky outcrops, and sandy beaches, making it an adventurer’s paradise and a fantastic coastal landmark.

Thorne Island lies just three nautical miles from Milford Haven, a charming seaside town in southwest Wales. Estate agency Strutt & Parker, handling the sale, describes the property as a “fantastic coastal landmark now offering something very different” and invites offers over £3 million.

For those inspired by the romantic notion of owning a private island, complete with historic fortifications and modern off-grid luxury, Thorne Island presents an unparalleled opportunity to acquire a piece of British heritage and tranquility in one of the country’s most stunning coastal locations.