Thorne Island

Key dates

1. 1878Divers recognise over twelve wrecks that are worth diving in the area of the island, but of special interest is the 1878 built sailing ship Loch Shiel that sank in 1894.
2. 1947The fort was converted into a hotel in 1947, and could be rented for weddings, stag parties, and other special events.
3. 1996It became a Grade II* Listed building in 1996, because it was "a well-preserved fort of Palmerston's Haven defences".
4. 2011No works took place, and the island was resold in November 2011 for 'significantly less' than the guide price of £750,000 to the owner of Chislehurst Caves, who put it back on the market in 2016 for £550,000.
5. 2017It was purchased by Mike Conner, a software entrepreneur, in May 2017.
6. 2025After five years restoring the building to a habitable state, including running water, he put the property back on the market in August 2025 at a price of £3 million, with the hotel restored to have 40 bedrooms, four…