Hire your own magical private island 1 hour from London

Just over an hour’s drive from London, escape to a 380-acre private island retreat in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex. It’s unique, spacious, and full of character – perfect for teams looking to connect, create, or switch up the pace somewhere completely different.

There are 38 houses to stay across the island, from cosy cottages to a grand Edwardian manor, offering up to 90 bedrooms in total. The island is available for exclusive hire, or for smaller groups, part-hire options are also available.

For team gatherings or meetings, the island has several distinct event spaces. The largest is a converted wartime munitions store – a vast, flexible, soundproofed hall that seats up to 190 or holds 500 standing, with an outdoor terrace. There's also a converted engine house (up to 80 seated or 250 standing) with its own kitchen, cinema room and games room, a late-night licensed venue with indoor and outdoor space (around 140 standing), and the island's own 300-year-old pub with beamed ceilings and an inglenook fireplace (up to 50 standing or 30 seated).

In between sessions, your team can explore communal gardens, ride fat‑tyre bikes, lounge by the outdoor pool, play croquet or volleyball, or walk the island’s five miles of shoreline and salt marsh.

You can also book in a mix of team activities such as yoga, foraging, cooking classes, creative workshops, water sports, axe throwing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, and more.

There’s also a music studio, a games room, and a dedicated events team ready to help you design everything from parties to bespoke dining experiences.

Though it's hosted the likes of Rihanna, Stormzy, and Jude Law, what makes the island lasting isn’t fame – it’s its unique sense of calm, history, and escape 🏝