'Downsizing' couple buy £3m home on abandoned private island in the River Thames

A couple who once toyed with the idea of downsizing have instead made the ultimate upgrade by snapping up an abandoned 13-bedroom mansion on a private island in the Thames worth a staggering £3million.

Andy Hill, 67, a music entrepreneur, and his wife Sheila, 66, say they were first drawn to the property after coming across D’Oyly CarteIsland, near Weybridge, Surrey, while kayaking years ago. Despite its derelict state, the couple couldn’t stop thinking about the “ridiculous” patch of land.

“My wife is very creative and she could see through what was essentially a derelict property. Every window was smashed and boarded up, the garden had metres of brambles in it,” Andy recalled.

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“She turned to me and said, ‘That is so sad, we should do something about it’.”

At the time, the couple were living in pricey Richmond, southwest London, and briefly considered moving into something smaller.

Instead, in a dramatic U-turn, they bought the 19th-century property when the owner’s agent contacted them in 2021.

What followed was a long restoration project to transform the 1.9-acre island and mansion into the dream family home.

“It would have been so sad to see it demolished as it has such a rich history and culture,” Andy said.

“It is so unique - there aren't many private islands on the Thames. We just wanted a nice family home. We thought it would be a great place to have family reunions.”

With their two children - both architects - and Sheila, a Royal College of Art alumna, the Hills embraced the mammoth task of bringing the property back to life.

Now, their island estate hosts family birthday parties, music concerts, and even Pilates classes. A former boat house has been reinvented as a riverside bar named D’Oyly’s, and a once-leaky glass dome responsible for flooding the hallway has been repaired.

“It really does feel like a party house and a fun house. We have the perfect balance,” Andy said.

The couple’s new home even drew a visit from Princess Anne earlier this year, who came to personally thank them for restoring the cultural landmark.

The island is named after Richard D’Oyly Carte, a theatre impresario who once owned the land and produced Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas. He also founded the Savoy Hotel in London.

“He was the Simon Cowell of the 1800s,” Andy joked.

Despite the steep renovation costs - and the dust, noise, and disruption- Andy insists it’s been worth every penny.

“The expression ‘no pain no gain’ is very true. We are seeing lots of progress every day. It is fun to see what was a dead island and house be brought back to life. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Inspired by the island’s musical roots, Andy launched the Weybridge Festival, hosting a series of summer concerts last year. The festival returns from July 4-6, with a hog roast, Pimm’s tent, face painting, and more.

To make the event safe, he met with council officials and invested £35,000 in infrastructure, including emergency escape plans. While Elmbridge Borough Council initially opposed the event, it was later approved.

“It is not dangerous. Nobody is going to burn to death on an island 50 yards from the mainland,” Andy said. “It’s an amazingly calm place to live.”

The Hills are not the only ones seeking island life in the UK. Young couple Sacha Pritchard, 25, and Matt King, 28, moved to a one-bedroom bungalow on a boat-only-accessible island in Hampton, saving £20,000 a year on rent compared to London flat shares.

“It was the best decision we ever made,” said Sacha, who commutes to her job by boat and documents their lifestyle on her TikTok account @LondonIslandLiving.

“It isn’t for everyone, but we love it.”

But it's not without its own risks. In 2023, Andrew Philip, who lives on Pharaoh’s Island in Surrey, saw his dream home engulfed by flames, with fire crews struggling to access the island due to a lack of bridges.

“It is slightly nerve-wracking living so close to water. Every few years our lawns flood,” he said.

“But it is a really lovely community.”

Even so, private islands remain in demand. Last summer, Temple Weir Island near Marlow went up for sale for just £75,000 - a bargain compared to London prices.

“For those with a spirit for adventure, it’s the perfect hideaway,” said estate agent Richard Maby.