Exploring The Mysteries Of A Massive Abandoned Sea Fort On Horse Sand Solent (Palmerston Fortress)

Exploring inside of an abandoned sea fort Horse Sands which is one of the Solent forts between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. This was an epic explore which took months of planning and I am so excited to share it! Please subscribe for more: / nickturbo4000
Filmed with Sony A7Sii, Panasonic gh4, Phantom 3 and Go Pro.
Edited and graded in Adobe Premiere Pro 2017 and the music was created by me in FL Studio.
Check out my social media links:
Instagram: / nickturbo4000
Twitter: / urbexiow
Facebook: / abandonediow
Soundcloud: / nick-leonardo-stotesbury
The fort is one of four that were built in the 19th century to protect Portsmouth and the Solent against a potential French invasion.
Horse Sands is the joint largest of all of the UK sea forts and was built with 59 gun emplacements across its two gun floors.
The fort was built between 1865 and 1880 by the time the fort had been finished the threat of a French invasion had diminished and the technology of the guns become out-of-date.
Because of this the fort's were never needed to be used for their intended purpose and became known as "Palmerston's follies" after the Prime Minister who authorised their construction.
The numerous forts built during this period were the most
extensive and costly fixed defense structures built in Britain in peacetime.
Horse Sands was rearmed during the first and second world wars and during this period the fort was painted in a black and white checkered paint scheme.
It was painted in this way as a form of camouflage the purpose was not to make the fort invisible but instead to confuse attempts to attack it by making it difficult to accurately gauge the
distance of the fort.
The fort was deactivated after ww2 and used for coastal artillery up until 1956 in the 1960s the site was declared
surplus to requirement by the Ministry of Defense
In 2012 the company who owned the neighboring forts Spitbank and No Mans announced that they purchased Horse Sands.
The new owner intended to convert it into a museum with displays of the history of all three forts
Within the last month the
three Solent forts had been collectively put back on the market for the guide price of 11 million pounds

[@AbandonedIsleofWight]

I recently uploaded another HUGE explore of an abandoned Prison, check out the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIfLe2t6mKmaf5Y

[@jamesrakestraw7125]

Exploring Inside Huge Abandoned Sea Fort - (Horse Sand Solent Palmerston Fort) for sale?

[@phillipdavies6548]

When I was in the Royal Engineers in 1965 I was on a Diving Course at the RE Diving School in Marchwood, Southampton. We course student divers were taken out to one of the forts in the Solent in a landing craft and we climbed up to the top in our rubber dive dry suits. From there we had to walk out on an I-beam that was used to pull ammunition up with a pulley. When we reached the end of the beam we had to jump off the 100+ foot high beam into the water below. It was a requirement to pass the course. I remember being terrified as I am scared of heights but managed it anyway. I passed the course as top student with very high marks. I was relieved that I only had to do that once. Later in my service I went back to the school as standby rescue diver/Instructor. h we took the course out to the fort to jump off I found that , as the courses junior instructor, I had to demonstrate to the students the correct and safe way to make the jump. I don't know how many times I ended up doing that but I DO know it was too bloody many. Never did it without being terrified of the walk out to the end.

[@timwilkinson2797]

Thanks Phillp

[@The-Real-Ando]

Phillip Davies nice story, thanks.

[@judebrown2672]

Respect. Well done.

[@Statimtek]

little disappointed that we didn't get an actual exploration of the fort, a walk through through each area. a la IKS. Love hoisting the pirate flag at the end.

[@marker]

Yeah pretty disappointing video had to fast forward most of the video

[@kitwalker2968]

Thinking the same thing...not an exploration.

[@richardbutlercoach]

agree on that!

[@charlesfitton9677]

Agree about the nature of the visit - so much detail overlooked and breezed by... The falg I liked the least....

[@chrisstacey1984]

its on the list :-)

[@philmoore71]

I wish the video had more footage of the fort itself

[@LiamAKing]

These forts were our playground as kids......so much fun As an extra snippet..... We found The Mary Rose in that same near exact location....... 😉

[@delilahjackson110]

My dad was the roofer who kept these forts watertight throughout the 70s 80s and 90s

[@bobertmcboberty1385]

You Just told us a story, we want a full walk through

[@salvinorindoge3811]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2SlnnSHjtN9b9k

[@neilfurby555]

Great stuff but a real battle with the background music.... what a shame.

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

I thought you joked about him being a pirate. Until I saw him. Even looked the part!

[@WW2HistoryHunter]

Thanks for sharing and Greetings from WW2HistoryHunter

[@VacantHaven]

Nice one mate, just come from your post on Facebook! Liking the content. Subscribed mate

[@frankflanigan4013]

I served 3 years in there back in the mid 70s watching this vid i recognized some of the landings in the wings and the out buildings where i used to sometimes work on outside work parties brought back memories

[@alexlewis388]

too everyone saying the videos disappointing because he just told the story, you do understand thats why we all love exploring is the history behind them

[@caragibson]

Really enjoy your explorations! My dad (Barry Gibson, gardener) lives in Bembridge so your videos are very special to me. Ignore any negative comments. Your videos are very well presented, executed, edited, planned and enjoyable. Keep safe and keep on keeping on ... with you in spirit!

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Brilliant Would make an amazing home 🏠 Fantastic gesture putting up the Jolly Rodger 🏴‍☠️ Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@incorrect1844]

Best thing youtube recommended in a while

[@exploringwithgriz2079]

Totally bad ass the whole trip was amazing but the placement of the flag made the video so much more better yall marked your territory by placement ad not grafitti or vandalism much love and respect brother

[@lonnieowsley]

Great show and tell from USA state Illinois 👏

[@isaiah30v8]

Used to play in Fort Gilkicker when I was a kid in the 60's.

[@ardoughty5646]

hard to hear over the music at 6:45

[@TheClassifiedMan]

If i was a millionaire that would be bought and turned into a big home, amazing.

[@spooksixsix]

Love this place, fabulous bit of 'offshore' urban expo !

[@bytesabre]

Glad I got this in my recommends. I grew up in and around Portsmouth looking at these forts from the beach so was always curious as to what was there. UrbEx is fascinating

[@onlooker251]

I also grew up in this area as well. I use to go out to Stokes Bay and often wonder what I’d find on these forts that had been left abandoned. I believe they were de-commissioned around 1956. I did managed to get out to Spit bank Fort as a trip during one of the Navy Days that were held as open days of Portsmouth Naval Dock Yard. Spit bank fort was opened then as a museum. After all those years looking at these forts I found it fascinating. I still have a curiosity of these forts. Oddly enough, I always thought if I had the money I’d try to buy one!

[@scottholliday9308]

That was really cool. I would love to own something like that, and rebuild it to live there.

[@sugandanataatmaja3331]

Masya Allah Very Good Fort Building Is Very Luxury

[@paulknights3701]

Fantastic.... I didn't mean to spend my evening looking through your films. But I'm glad I did.

[@TrevBec]

Wow, some amazing footage there. Worth the Herculean efforts it took!

[@AbandonedIsleofWight]

Cheers thanks very much 😁👍

[@Shantaro25]

I want to turn that place into a self sufficient garden community

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

good luck hauling several tons of soil. would be cool though, assuming you can find enough salt-tolerant plants to give good yield. trees would be liable to damage the structure.

[@blacksunapocalypse]

One of those things that sounds really nice, but is super impractical.

[@evecole1824]

I love to explore were you are able to get the history of the area. Such as abandoned towns, homes, mining areas and the types. I schooled our children on weekend camping trips, and Drives. We would go one way and get home another way. On hot days, we would go around the lake we always camp at and get an ice cream for Hubby Daughter and I, but Son had serbet. We would get a cold drink. Kids got apple juice in a glass apple always. I a Pepsi and he had a Doctor Pepper. Always had at least 8 frozen 2 Lt. and smaller bottles. We always made it back to the camp before dark with enough time to get more wood for the fire and dinner about done. Our Son takes his Son just for short trips and will leave it to me to show him the places Our family comes from. I have been ordered to instruct him on how to get a vehicle unstuck in any weather. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THE VIDEO. I AM GLAD THAT YOU ARE NOT A NEWS CREW AND CUT THE INFORMATION DOWN TO 2 OR 4 MIN. JUST REMEMBER TO KILL THE ENGINE AND PULL UP THE SLACK , DON'T FORGET THE ANCHOR . WHAT A BLAST. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN VERY YOUNG TO EXPLORE AND BE EXCITED FOR WHAT THEY FIND. EXPLAIN WHAT THEY FOUND AND HOW IT WAS USED OR EVEN SHOW THEM HOW. I AM EXCITED TO SEE MORE OF YOUR VIDEOS!!!! I SEE GRAIN TOWER POOF .

[@rothley8674]

Great video very entertaining cheers pal love the isle of Wight have been many times👍

[@xrayperforator]

Isle of Wight - "La Isla Bonita" of my youth 😍

[@garyw1971]

Cool vid 👊

[@errorASMR]

I want long videos like this, that I can relax for awhile with vs knowing it'll end in a few minutes and I'll have to pick another video to watch

[@PhilbyFavourites]

As a regular Solent user I’m torn between the intrigue and the trespassing aspects. I'll quietly wind my neck in and just say I’m pleased to see you were all wearing life jackets.

[@gavinprosser]

absolutely brilliant narration and background info............best ive ever seen and heard!

[@Puzzoozoo]

As a military construct, given the time it took to build, and the cost required, when it was finished, it seemed hardly worth the time, money and effort for what it achieved before it was decommissioned, and then abandoned.

[@KempSimon]

During the Great War with Russia, the combined British and French armies attacked the naval base at Sebastopol from the landward side. This made the British painfully aware that their main naval base, at Portsmouth, was equally vulnerable to attack by both land and sea. The Imperial French Navy had just built a new base at Cherbourg and had acquired an ironclad battleship called "La Gloire", To counter the supposed threat from Napoleon III of France, Portsmouth was ringed with forts both on land and at sea. Of course, by the time they were finished France had been defeated by Germany in the Franco-Prussian War but that's another story!

[@JimNichols]

I never wanted a lot of money until just now, purchace all three and restore one to live on. Make the other two museums.That would be amazing!

[@LostAdventuresExploring]

yo that was epic man! keep them coming!

[@VidarrKerr]

Anyone who buys those has lost their minds. The work and costs required would be more than building a new one. Because it is in UK waters, it is also subject to all of their building codes. It will be almost impossible to meet those codes. Unless they get variances, there is no way. Even as a museum, vast portions of it would have to remain closed to the public.

[@nicholasbell9017]

Just a thought; when these incredible forts were manned and in use, how did they get supplied with water? Was it piped in, brought by sea in tankers or were the forts built over fresh water springs? The latter may sound far-fetched, but there are springs of fresh water that come out offshore. Maybe the design incorporated drains that collected rainwater into a tank. Anybody have any gen on this? Nick.

[@KempSimon]

Each of the sea forts had a well which extended down into the chalk aquifer deep beneath the bed of The Solent. When Spit Bank Fort was open to the public for Saturday night hog roasts and disco's you could look down the 400 foot shaft which had electric lights at intervals. It would have been impossible to supply the wartime garrison with enough fresh water without the wells!

[@ryan1mcq]

Awesome vid man! These fort's, the navy memorial, round tower and the spinnaker tower in the distance were always a welcome sight after coming back from being away with the navy, you knew you were home, i miss Portsmouth.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Epic, I have sailed past the forts many, many times and always wished I could visit to explore. One is now done up but the cost must be huge to maintain. Thanks. Andy UK

[@nathanlam9884]

They should bring it back to life and treasure the history

[@judebrown2672]

Amazing vid. Thanks.

[@dcruz125]

What a beautiful place to visit

[@alikijones9314]

Great never seen before this, very informative. I love exploring when I can.

[@bazza945]

Not typing up the vital tender in a shipman like manner: forty lashes with a plastic straw!

[@dianedoyle-mccahon4979]

Excellent information shared with a chat that is an offshoot of earthquake forecasting channel. To bandy about multitudes of alternative ideas. They will love this. I have seen pitches to get energy and water from the air. Falls in line with those. Would love to be off grid...

[@billygillan821]

WOW,if If i was rich then once cleaned and fixed my dream home

[@heidip5042]

thats an amazing place!!! Love how you decorated the table inside, would be a cool photo!

[@FindItFixIt]

would make a great home

[@KempSimon]

A bit lonely for just one person!

[@VictorGarcia-gy8yv]

Let's go find the prisioner 627

[@edithchelanga5748]

Great voice,thankyou

[@nathandean1687]

make one hell of a private anti zombie island.

[@quinnking8405]

Would be sick to live there

[@chrisnhely1]

love the pirate flag at the end, i would have done the same :)

[@davidm3maniac201]

Love this video

[@ashskyline32]

Went there today I've never seen so many dead birds and bones every where how you slept there is beyond me it's a pretty creepy place

[@c.p.7266]

That was great, thanks.

[@jackthearcademaster7602]

Insane stuff . Lucky you didn't get caught. Great video

[@AbandonedIsleofWight]

Thank you 👍 It was very lucky indeed

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I went on one of those in the 1980s. You could only land directly from the boat. 150 soldiers were based there.

[@iaindann3627]

Very well made/put together, top video. 👍🏻

[@davesawyer497]

Thanks for a great video. Echoing others, its shame that you didn't give a good video tour of the place. Was there a reason? I have been passed the forts a few times on power boat training. No Mans' Fort is a good waypoint for our purposes. They are impressive buildings and undoubtedly were expensive to build.

[@SpaceCommand]

This got renovated into some flash Accommodation. There's a short clip of about 2 minutes on You Tube after the renovations were done. Has 2 Helipads, a grass area at the top, Deck Chairs etc. Looks nice.

[@AtheistOrphan]

UNSC INFINITY - No that’s the other one, which is still run as a hotel. Check out their website solentforts.com

[@adamlawrence427]

50 seconds in... I hope that dudes name isn't Dan....

[@BerlinGonzalez]

The BG Music could be a little down so I can hear your voice better without too much noise from the music

[@MrWightHD]

No Man's Land was a great place to explore pre conversion, very similar to this

[@scopex2749]

Well done from a aging pirate! A superb Urbex guys brings back memories of my days exploring many summers ago! LOVE THE FLAG touch! I'll need the fountain of eternal life soon me otherwise I'll be off to crew the Dutchman!

[@GizStudPrez]

Awesome

[@derekstocker6661]

The original asking price seems not too bad for such a fabulous site. What a totally unique home it would make for someone after a lot of work possibly, BUT when you see what prices some very ordinary homes make it seems not a lot to ask for a totally sturdy and well sited home. Great vid but more to be seen at some time in future possibly....

[@tooltechrecords]

wow. just wow.

[@juddbrady1825]

Absolutely brilliant lads!!!

[@boeingthepyroraptor7085]

I’m gonna go here when the zombie apocalypse happens

[@guyowen9727]

Fascinating site. Well done

[@reddo84]

awesome adventure story

[@ladylaois8184]

Wow what amazing explorers you are! I lived in Pompey for many years wonderful area. Well done for you exploits brilliant

[@Trish1]

Great pirate exploring ... wish it was a longer video though. Glad you got the dinghy back and sorted the prop - the joys of seafaring. How long did the S&C stay up? Nice filming👍

[@pigdogurbex]

What a great adventure lads, wish I lived closer!

[@richierich8334]

This is privately owned. I wonder if the maker of this video would be ok for the owner to break into their house, film it and post on KZbin.

[@pepol-urbex]

Amazing place, great movie

[@harryhawkes3458]

Such a good video as always, I always look forward to your videos as I live on the Isle of Wight and have tried to gain access into some of these buildings but failed on some but glad that you managed to get it to them all so I can still see. Keep up the good work!

[@AbandonedIsleofWight]

Thank you very much & thank you for watching! 😁👍

[@SubExploration]

Very nice work chaps!

[@AbandonedIsleofWight]

Thanks very much! I’m a fan of what you guys do too

[@helio279]

Perdeu tempo com brincadeiras e nao explorou as instalacoes a contento, com certeza havia mais o que mostrar !!!!

[@lucymoore7783]

I go fishijg by them and its so amazing

[@katrinastevenson2184]

That flag gives me life

[@paulyh4531]

Super video. I been on two of these one I worked on one and the other was when it was a museum in the 80s/90s 👍

[@bodge6886]

Fantastic video guys really enjoyed that one👍

[@WaynesWorldofexploration]

Absolutely awesome 👍👌

[@TheFewzz]

What an awsome adventure!

[@AbandonedIsleofWight]

It sure was, can't wait to go back!

[@tommye5651]

Good job lads!

[@lmt-nw7zs]

Great video, love the fort. Went online to look for it, end now it's a hotel. Lucky somebody saved it.

[@GarethColwell]

Alas, Horse Sands Fort that is featured in this video is still untouched - it's the other forts, No Man's Land & Spitbank that have been refurbished.

[@cocojo242]

Wow what a life, wish I was with you guy. Great video, thank you 👍

[@AbandonedIsleofWight]

I’m very lucky to have been able to get on there! Thank you for watching 😁👍

[@leewriter4656]

The guy who took you there was just a guy with a lot of hair. That doesn't make him a pirate. Pirates murder and steal. If he was a real pirate, he'd be in prison.

[@benwilbee2864]

Pfft, you should see his collection of downloaded torrent files.

[@wanderinglost1921]

I would love to visit, my kind of place

[@jx592]

Looks like the exact kind of thing you'd see in a modern FPS game

[@madmangaming6362]

Amazing video guys

[@markharrison2827]

Worked on nomans few years ago, when it was being converted, got to crawl all over it especially there areas guest aren't allowed to go now.

[@borusa32]

No Sea Devils I hope

[@Bigstrat2]

Very cool.. except for the new-age soundtrack.. oh well

[@JOSHWYARDTRAVELS]

absolutely love your videos!