A Victorian-era fort on its own private island in Kent’s River Medway is set to go under the hammer next month with a guide price of just £50,000.
Fort Darnet, which sits on an isolated island near Hoo, will be auctioned by Savills on December 10.
It is the first time in four decades that this remarkable piece of British military history has been available to buy.
The 19th-century military installation can only be reached by boat or kayak, making it perfect for anyone dreaming of their own island retreat away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom built the fort from 1870 to 1872 to help protect the naval dockyard at Chatham.
It was originally built to house up to 100 soldiers. The fort formed part of an inner defensive line along the River Medway.
Fort Darnet is set to go under the hammer next month with a guide price of just £50,000
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Together with Hoo Island fort, located about a kilometre away, it was designed to create a bottleneck defence for the river as part of Britain’s coastal defence network.
Though it was decommissioned before the First World War, the fort found a new purpose during the Second World War.
It served as an observation post, with extra platforms and pillboxes added to the structure.
The fort is now a protected Scheduled Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Fort Darnet is located around one kilometre away from shore
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It features a distinctive circular design with two levels – an open upper platform and a lower level with gun points that once defended against enemy vessels.
While the structure is in fair condition, the lower magazine level sits partially submerged.
The island was a popular spot for picnics and leisure activities until the 1980s.
Adding to its wartime heritage, three barges that are believed to have taken part in the D-Day landings rest on the island. These historic vessels can only be seen when the tide is low.
Ben Fletcher from Savills Auctions believes the fort will attract plenty of interest when it goes to auction.
“The sale of Darnet Fort presents a unique and rare opportunity to acquire a piece of British military history,” he said. “We are excited to be bringing this landmark to our final auction of the year.”
He noted that, while the fort was historically used for recreational activities, it could potentially serve other purposes, subject to planning permissions.
“We anticipate strong levels of interest when it goes under the hammer in December from those keen to preserve its historic integrity, or simply drawn to the uniqueness of owning such a rare and individual structure,” Mr Fletcher added.