A historic Victorian fort in the Solent is seeking a new operator to take over the site.

No Man's Land Fort — or just No Man's Fort — in the Solent previously operated as a hotel and was sold at auction earlier this year.

It went under the hammer for £1,120,000 — £120,000 more than its £1 million guide price.

Londoner Edward Ward purchased the site as an "impulse buy", to differ from his usual investments in tech stocks. 

“It’s a one-of-a-kind property, and I felt like it’s an opportunity that’s unlikely to come up again,” Ward told commercial real estate firm Colliers.

“I know it’s a bit of a risk, given I don’t have any experience in property or hospitality, but with advances in technology like drones and improved energy management, maintaining the fort will only get easier over the next decade."

Formerly a four-star hotel, the 150-year-old fort is now on the market for lease.

Ed Jefferson, from Colliers, said the fort has potential for 'unconventional leisure and high-end ventures'.

He said: "This isn't just a quirky building; it’s a rare opportunity to make a mark in a truly unique location.

“The remote location provides either great privacy or exclusivity for potential guests and clients.

"Edward is open to working with different multiple operators who recognise the opportunity to be based at this historic site.

"It could be a great location for multiple hospitality and leisure operators together, or one tenant could take the whole site, we’re open to proposals.” 

The 99,000-square-foot sea fortress was built in the 1860s as part of a network of defences commissioned by Lord Palmerston to ward off potential French invasion.

No Man's Fort is only accessible by boat or helicopter and offers 23 ensuite bedrooms, five bars, a restaurant, a spa, hot tubs, and a sauna — all with expansive views of the sea. 

In 1972, the fort featured in Doctor Who episode The Sea Devils.