A private island off the coast of Wales could be yours — for a cool €3.5 million — complete with a Grade-II listed fort, sweeping coastal views and complete seclusion.
Thorne Island, located just off the Pembrokeshire coast, has been listed for sale on Rightmove, offering one of the UK’s more unusual luxury property opportunities.
Covering around 2.49 acres, the island centres around a historic Grade-II listed fort that has been converted into a sizeable residence of just over 8,000 square feet.
The property includes multiple bedrooms, living and dining spaces, kitchens and bathrooms, with enough accommodation to sleep up to 20 guests. Original architectural features remain throughout, including exposed brickwork, sash windows, vaulted ceilings and a wood-burning stove, blending historic character with modern comfort.
Access to the island is entirely private, with the new owner able to arrive either by boat or helicopter. The site includes a private jetty, five sea moorings and even a dedicated helipad, emphasising its exclusivity and remote appeal.
Thorne Island at the coast of Pembroke Shire in Wales. Shutterstock
While the asking price sits at around £3 million, the listing highlights the rare nature of the property, which combines heritage architecture with total isolation just off the Welsh coastline.
The island’s fort structure forms the centrepiece of the estate, originally built for military defence before being transformed into a residential retreat.
Despite its remote setting, Thorne Island is relatively accessible from the mainland, sitting just a short distance off the Pembrokeshire coastline, an area known for its rugged scenery, beaches and historic landmarks.
So yes — if you’ve got a few million lying around, this is very much a “buy an island and disappear from group chats” kind of situation.
But if you’re looking for something slightly more realistic than a €3.5 million private fortress in the sea, there is a cheaper way to chase the dream of island living — and it might even come with government backing.
Cable car in Dursey Island. County Cork, Ireland
The Irish Government is currently offering up to €70,000 to people willing to move to and renovate homes on some of the country’s most remote islands.
Since July 2023, funding has been available through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, designed to encourage the restoration of vacant and derelict homes in island communities off the Irish coast.
The initiative is part of a broader 10-year revitalisation plan, aimed at boosting population levels while preserving the culture, history and character of these remote locations. In short: the goal is to bring life — and people — back to islands that have seen long-term decline.
Successful applicants can receive funding to turn a rundown property into a permanent home, with the condition that it must be used as a primary residence or long-term rental. Short-term lets and holiday homes are not eligible.
So while Wales' Thorne Island is firmly in the “sell a kidney and a yacht” category, Ireland’s scheme is more in the “pack a suitcase and start over” bracket.
Same island dream — just a slightly different entry fee.
