Exclusive Use
Corporate Retreats
Amazing Weddings
Themed Events
Wavс Private Island
Rule the
from your own
If you really want to go overboard and put on an event that totally blows all others out of the water then this circular fortress, built to protect Portsmouth Harbour from the warships of Napoleon III, has the ‘wow’ factor in abundance. In glorious isolation a mile off the mainland, with 15ft thick iron clad walls, mighty gun emplacements, ammunition store, cartridge lifts and 401ft deep artesian well, it’s not short of character. Add a £3 million refurbishment and you have a truly iconic property that is not only utterly unique but supremely luxurious and comfortable as well. Available for exclusive private hire, the possibilities are endless - the perfect base for Cowes Week, a great venue for wild parties where you won’t get complaints from the neighbours, a Rock Star pad for the Isle of White Festival, an utterly secluded spot for business brainstorming, or the inspirational setting for a corporate event to top them all. If you have the imagination, we have the facilities, and the team, to turn your most outrageous ideas into reality.
Your own exclusive
fantasy island Working closely with English Heritage we’ve kept the historical character intact to create nine sumptuous bedroom suites, three private dining rooms, three bars including the Laurent-Perrier rooftop champagne bar and The Victory Bar, wine tasting cellar, TV rooms, Library and Smoking Room. There are also two large sun decks, open air hot tub for ten guests with stunning 360° views of the Solent, rooftop fire pit, sauna and gym. Even getting there is an adventure – after refreshments in our departure lounge in Gosport’s Royal Clarence Marina our private flotilla of boats will take you out to your very own fortress. It’s a venue to die for, guaranteed to make all those not invited insanely jealous – and there’s no easy way to gate crash!
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A night on the
ocean waves
There’s something incredibly romantic about being at sea after nightfall – the moonlight on the water, the sighing of the wind and the lapping of the waves. There’s also something reassuring about snuggling up in bed knowing that no matter what the weather the deck is not going to move! Eight of the gun emplacements have been turned into spacious en suite bedrooms – each has bags of character with the original exposed brickwork and iron ceilings studded with rivets adding an authentic historical atmosphere. You can still see the hooks in the ceiling for slinging your hammock, but you’ll almost certainly want to sink into the huge bed. Period furniture, dramatic lighting and deep carpets all add to the feeling of snug comfort and indulgent luxury. Each bedroom has a modern bathroom with slate floors, marble walls, his and hers washbasins and a deep bath for a long relaxing soak after a hard day enjoying yourself! The Crow’s Nest also converts into a sumptuous bedroom suite with unparalleled views.
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Dinners and drinks fit for an
Admiral
of the Fleet
The original garrison in the fort would have had to make do with standard naval rations which were nutritious, but monotonous. Things have now improved out of all recognition, with guests enjoying whatever food and drink they’d like. The general manager, your personal chef and the rest of the team will cater for your every wish – just tell us what you’d like and it will be arranged. You have three dining rooms to choose from and dishes to die for – everything from the freshest seafood to the most tender cuts of meat, and the heartiest breakfasts to the lightest desserts, with a mouth-watering snack menu in case the sea air makes you peckish! In the best navy tradition there’s no shortage of drinks – you can enjoy the finest champagne in the Laurent-Perrier rooftop champagne bar, cocktails in the hot tub, a few pints of real ale in the main bar and the finest vintages in the wine cellar bar.
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Your own private
playground
a mile from Portsmouth There’s more than enough fun crammed into this fort to keep even the most restless guest occupied for a few days and nights – from the roof top hot tub, sauna, fire pit and champagne bar to the games room, wine cellar tasting room and the gym, not to mention copious supplies of fine food and drink. However, if you want to stretch your legs our skipper will ferry you to Portsmouth. Gunwharf Quays offers over 95 designer outlets and more than 30 bars and restaurants. The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to over 800 years of fascinating naval heritage, including the HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose Museum. There’s also Britain’s only museum dedicated solely to the D-Day landings. You can also take your private launch to the picturesque Isle of Wight to visit Cowes and Queen Victoria’s amazing seaside retreat at Osborne House. Other activities we can organise include high speed rib-rides, angling trips and luxury yacht charters. One thing is for sure – bored you won’t be!
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There’s Something for Everyone At Our Amazing Retreats: Whisky Tasting • Golf • Shooting • RIB rides • Hiking • Kayaking • Falconry • Cycling • Spa Treatments • Archery • Stalking • Fishing • Horse Riding • Climbing and Abseiling • Quad Riding Ackergill Tower, Wick
The Clarenco Collection
Kinnettles Castle, Dundee
Carberry Tower, Edinburgh
Clarenco’s collection of amazing retreats spans the entire country, from our castles in Scotland down to Victorian sea forts in the Solent off Portsmouth. Each of our properties provides a personal escape from the everyday into a captivating world of history and luxury, indulgence and adventure. Our aim is to find unique and unusual properties and to refurbish these properties to a luxurious standard, ultimately offering beautiful venues of distinction. We have a commitment to heritage, preservation, restoration and most importantly, consideration. Our ethos is to use and enhance whatever is already available as much as possible, preferring always to restore rather than renew. This gives us the opportunity to play an important part in safeguarding this country’s historical legacy. Clarenco is a privately owned company giving us full control over our portfolio ensuring that the highest standards of finish and levels of service are maintained to make your stay with us your most memorable ever.
INVERNESS
Plas Rhianfa, Anglesey DUNDEE
EDINBURGH
Stanbrook Abbey, Worcester
MANCHESTER
BIRMINGHA AM
Bath Lodge Castle, Bath
BATH LONDON PORTSMOUTH
Spitbank Fort, Portsmouth
How to Find Us Spitbank Fort Departure Lounge, Royal Clarence Marina, Unit 2, Weevil Lane, Gosport PO12 1FX 02392 513 887 • info@spitbankfort.com • spitbankfort.com
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By Road Leave the M27 at junction 11. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A27 signposted Fareham central & Gosport A32. At next roundabout branch left, then merge onto the A32 signposted Stubbington & Gosport. After 1 mile, filter left under the arches and stay on A32 for 4.5 miles. Before you reach Gosport town centre turn left into Weevil Lane by St. George Barracks. Follow the road as far as possible, then
the departure lounge will be on the left. As you approach the departure lounge, the team will greet you and look after your luggage. By Air The nearest airports to Spitbank Fort are Eastleigh Airport and Southampton Airport. London Heathrow and London Gatwick are also conveniently close.
...amazing retreats in spectacular locations
Clarenco LLP, Clarenco House, Ibstone Road, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire HP14 3FE 01494 682 682 • info@clarenco.com • clarenco.com