No Man's Fort is located in the waters of the Solent, two miles south of Portsmouth Harbour. Consisting of 9206.1 square meters distributed over 4 stunning floors, No Man's Fort has 23 en-suite rooms, crew quarters, several bars, restaurants, and several multi-purpose rooms. It also has a heliport and 2 berths for visitors by sea.
In the waters of the Solent, between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, No Man's Fort is a Victorian fort that was designed by Captain E. H. Stewart. Construction work began in 1865, and the fort was completed in 1880 to protect the city of Portsmouth from a possible invasion by Napoleon III. After going through various uses and abandonments, the fort opened in 2015 as a luxury hotel.
Entry is through the lower level and from the berthing dock. On this level are the dining and function rooms, the spa, and a selection of bedroom suites. The lower level is made up of the entertainment rooms, laser battles, etc., and on the upper level of the fort are the facilities such as Jacuzzis, a fire pit, bar, and Nordic hut. On these last two floors are the newly opened Lord Nelson Pub, the Cabaret Bar Nightclub, and other spaces.
This fort is completely self-contained with its own private water supply, marine generators, and a sewage treatment plant.
Since this article was first published, the story of No Man’s Fort has taken a new turn. The property ceased operating as a hotel and, after remaining closed for several years, went up for auction in June 2024 alongside nearby Spitbank Fort.
With a starting price of £1 million, No Man’s Fort ultimately sold for £1.12 million. A remarkable sum for a structure covering more than 9,000 square meters in the middle of the Solent, with 23 rooms, restaurants, bars, a spa, a helipad, and its own water and energy systems.
Its new owner, Londoner Edward Ward, later acknowledged that the purchase had been somewhat impulsive and expressed his intention to find an operator or partner who could give it a new lease on life. Since then, possibilities have ranged from restoring its use as a hotel to turning it into a private club, a residence, or a venue for specialized projects.
In 2026, No Man’s Fort remains closed to the public. Its future is still open, adding a new chapter to the unusual story of a fortress built for an invasion that never came and that, a century and a half later, is still searching for its next life.
