Palmerston Sea Forts
Back in the 1850s, Britain was worried that France would try and invade, so Lord Palmerston (the Prime Minister of the time) decided to build the Palmerston Forts to defend Portsmouth’s dockland, four of which were built out at sea.
Of course, France never did invade, and by the time the forts were finished the perceived threat of invasion had passed anyway, rendering the forts completely redundant. They were built to be strong however, and so nearly 150 years later they’re still standing, and over the years have been adapted for various uses.
At 240ft across, No Mans Land Fort is joint largest and is currently a private residence. If you look closely you’ll see the fort has two helipads as the only means of access.
Nearby, Horse Sand Fort is currently in the process of being converted into flats. Perfect if you’re a very private person but a nightmare if you don’t get on with the neighbours.
The smaller fort Spitbank is available for parties and such as “The Ultimate Venue!“, assuming your idea of an ultimate venue is a inaccessible lump of rock that has been “virtually unaltered since 1870″.
Unfortunately the smallest fort, St.Helen’s, is just outside the high-resolution imagery.
Thanks: Saul David
Didnt one of the owners of one these forts declare it a sovereign principality and print his own money and passports and stuff?
I think he came unstuck because he stopped paying taxes or declared war on the USA or something.
I might have made that last bit up.
@Cookie Monster: You’re thinking of the Principality of Sealand, off the English coast near Felixstowe:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand
Wow, the whole story surrounding Sealand and its pirate radio history is fascinating, thanks guys! Shame it’s not in high res
So those are the reasons Monsiour Hitler didn’t invade…
and here was me thinking it was something bonkers.
I actually sailed in the Solent very close to these fortesses. They are amazing to watch from close by. I remember thinking at that time that it would be great to live there. I believe in one of them there is a hotel and I hope I can stay there at least once in my life.
Another amazing Fort is the Maunsell Army Sea Towers (Red Sands and Shivering Sands).
http://www.project-redsand.com
http://www.gulbekian.plus.com (for best photo collection)