Architecture

British island fort up for sale, needs work before move in day

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Stack Rock Fort will set you back £400,000 (roughly US$535,000)
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort will set you back £400,000 (roughly US$535,000)
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort is located off the coast of South Wales, UK 
Rightmove
Though originally proposed by Thomas Cromwell back in 1539, the fort was actually built in 1852
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort served as one of a chain of forts meant to protect the coast from the threat of an invasion from France under Napoleon III
Rightmove
The circular fort takes up most of the barren rock island it sits upon
Rightmove
Rightmove describes the building's current state as "uninhabitable" and by a look at the photos, it'll require a lot more than a lick of paint
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort is also a historically protected building so there are all kinds of potential planning pitfalls for a renovation 
Rightmove
It was reportedly manned by up to 150 men and armed with 16 guns in its heyday – so living space shouldn't be too much of an issue
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort will set you back £400,000 (roughly US$535,000)
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort is located off the coast of South Wales, UK
Rightmove
Though originally proposed by Thomas Cromwell back in 1539, the fort was  built  in 1852
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort served as one of a chain of forts meant to protect the coast from the threat of an invasion from France under Napoleon III
Rightmove
The building is clearly in a dilapidated state
Rightmove
Rightmove describes the building's current state as "uninhabitable" and by a look at the photos, it'll require a lot more than a lick of paint
Rightmove
It was reportedly manned by up to 150 men and armed with 16 guns in its heyday – so living space shouldn't be too much of an issue
Rightmove
Stack Rock Fort is located off the coast of South Wales, UK
Rightmove
The circular fort looks dilapidated 
Rightmove
View gallery - 17 images

Located off the coast of Milford Haven, south Wales, Stack Rock Fort has an interesting history. English statesman Thomas Cromwell originally proposed a fort on the site back in 1539, shortly before losing his head to Henry VIII. It was eventually built in 1852 and served in a chain of fortifications to protect against invasion from France under Napoleon III. Long disused, the dilapidated building is about to start a new chapter as it's now on the market.

The circular structure takes up a good chunk of the barren island it gets its name from. Wales Online reports that it was manned by up to 150 men at a time in its heyday and that the interior includes canon rooms and sleeping quarters, so living space shouldn't be an issue.

The price for the private island fort isn't too bad either, at £400,000 (US$535,000), or less than half the cost of that 91-inch London home we featured back in February – though admittedly the skinny London pad doesn't require residents to take a boat or helicopter trip to shore each time they forget to buy the milk.

Though originally proposed by Thomas Cromwell back in 1539, the fort was  built  in 1852
Rightmove

There are bigger drawbacks to this property than its isolation, though. Rightmove describes the building's current state as "uninhabitable" and judging from the photos, it'll require more than just a lick of paint to get it up to scratch. It's also a Grade II listed historically-protected building so there are all kinds of potential planning permission pitfalls for would-be residents. This is clearly not a project for the faint-hearted.

Still, for those looking for a post-apocalyptic bolthole, a unique residence, or even try and found their own island state, Stack Rock Fort has potential.

Source: Rightmove

View gallery - 17 images
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7 comments
CraigAllenCorson
I'd love to own it, if I had more than two nickels to rub together. First I'd add a jetty, then put a dome over the whole works. Then, start the refurbishment. I think it would make a great little hotel.
david144
Craig, It's a historically protected property. Good luck with the dome. I agree that would be a great use. Heck with a hotel. It would be my Armageddon bunker.
Nik
It needs its 'rising damp' problem fixed, with the alleged climate change that could be difficult if it ever appears. No sign of it yet tho'!
Nik
I had a look om google maps, and it wasn't marked. Thats now been corrected.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that would be a cool place to live. If I had the money, I would go for it. I think it has potential.
ljaques
"Protected" and "UK" will kill the concept of buying it for most sane people. Making it habitable would likely cost a million pounds sterling in fees, not counting labor or construction material costs. Any concept you might have of modifying it from what it was into something you might like would by endlessly stymied. Why do you think it's still for sale? Oh, and I'm guessing that's =low= tide when the pics were taken, right?
niio
A couple of years ago this was for sale for a third of the current asking price.