Love is all around at unusual hotel in the middle of the Solent

No Man’s Fort opened its doors as a luxury hotel last year and has so far seen 56 marriage proposals.

It has also been taken over for exclusive events 22 times – even hosting a Fort du Soleil party with acrobats hanging from the Atrium roof on silks – and been named as a venue most likely to be the lair of a Bond villain.

The 22-bedroom hotel is part of The Solent Forts, a trio of once-armed forts built 150 years ago in the late 1800s between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to defend the country against French invasion. Mark Watts, general manager at The Solent Forts made up of No Man’s Fort, Spitbank Fort and Horse Sand Fort, said the first year had been very exciting for everyone involved.

‘Since opening we’ve seen thousands of people make the crossing from Portsmouth to our location out in the Solent,’ he said.

‘Of those 56 people have popped the question.

‘It goes to show that a lot of our visitors plan a stay for a special occasion, and what’s more special than a wedding proposal?’

A year after the launch of No Man’s Fort and almost three years since the luxurious Spitbank Fort opened, the last of the forts owned 
by hotel group Amazing Venues – is also opening to the public.

Horse Sand Fort can now be visited as part of a special Trio of Forts package. This fort is in almost its original condition, complete with a central tower to survey the surrounding waters, the fort is only open to explore for a short time to visitors.

No Man’s Fort is also extending its own openings, and is now open for lunch guests on the first Saturday of each month.

For more information go to solentforts.com or call (023) 9280 9767.