No Man's Land Fort

Rising from the Solent like a Victorian sea monster, this artificial island fortress sits a mile offshore from the Isle of Wight. Built in the 1860s as part of Lord Palmerston's coastal defences, No Man's Land Fort is one of the Solent Forts - massive granite structures designed to protect Portsmouth from French invasion that never came.

What makes this spot special is its sheer bloody-minded engineering. The fort took eight years to build and required creating an entire artificial island from granite blocks. Today it operates as a luxury hotel and event venue, but you can visit on special open days or book tours that reveal the underground tunnels, gun emplacements and living quarters where soldiers once waited for an enemy that never arrived.

History buffs will love the military architecture and stories of Victorian paranoia. The views across the Solent to Portsmouth are properly spectacular too. Getting there requires a boat trip, which adds to the adventure but limits accessibility - not one for those who struggle with sea travel or mobility issues.

From holiday parks around Ryde like Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point or St Helens Coastal Resort, you're well placed for boat trips to the fort. It's a fascinating half-day excursion that shows off the island's military heritage in dramatic style, though you'll need to check ahead for tour availability and sea conditions.