A six-acre island off the Devon coast is for sale, boasting historical artifacts, panoramic views and a private beach.
Drake’s Island is located near Plymouth and has a history dating back over 2,000 years. The small landmass is named after Sir Francis Drake, who first set sail from here to explore the world in 1577.
Later used for military purposes, the island now houses 18th-century cannons, Tudor fortifications and a network of underground tunnels, all included in the sale.
With the property only about 500m from the mainland at its closest location, the new owner could potentially even just swim to the nearest port of Plymouth.
But it can also be reached by boat in less than 10 minutes and has a natural harbor.
The island was last sold in 2019 for £6 million. There is currently no set price, but renovation costs are estimated to be around £25 million. The island has 2,800 square metres of unused accommodation, most of which are historic buildings.
Seller Carter Jonas described the property as a “unique development opportunity.” Planning permission is in place to build a 43-room hotel, a plan initiated by the current owner.
Mr Ali Rana is leading the sale for the estate agents and says: “One of the things the owner has thought about is using this as a wedding venue, where guests could stay overnight and possibly open a restaurant or cafe at the end.
“It’s one of those opportunities where, with a little vision, you can really create something special.”
Owner Morgan Phillips says he is currently looking for a buyer because “conditions have changed over the last five years.”
Mr Phillips said: “I bought this historic island in 2019 with ambitious plans,” adding that he was “looking for someone to take it over and bring those dreams to life faster than I could.”
“Being the steward of this amazing landscape has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”
“I hope to pass the baton to someone who cares about the island’s environment and can see its potential. And I would really appreciate the prospect of seeing those ambitions realised.”
The outgoing owner also said that media had told him that there were 15 ghosts haunting the island, all of whom were British military personnel.
“They are here to protect us. That’s what they did when they were alive and that’s what they still do!” he says.
