A couple were looking to downsize – but instead bought a £3million private island and mansion on the Thames. Andy and Sheila Hill purchased an abandoned 13-bedroom mansion on an overgrown island near Weybridge, Surrey, to “bring it back to life.”
They first learnt of D’Oyly Carte Island years ago while kayaking along the Thames. Andy, 67, said: “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. She turned to me and said, ‘That is so sad, we should do something about it’.” The island was named after the late 19th-century owner Richard D’Oyly Carte, a London theatre impresario who built the Savoy Hotel and produced the first operettas from Gilbert and Sullivan.
The property was not for sale at the time, but the couple kept in touch with the owner’s agent and, in 2021, managed to bag the island and home for £3 million.
With Sheila, 66, being a former student of the Royal College of Art and their two children being architects, the family felt up to the challenge of restoring the place to its former glory.
The couple sold their home in Richmond to live on the island full time, which Andy says is the “best decision they ever made”. The couple had originally discussed downsizing, and Andy joked that they clearly “don’t understand the concept.”
He added: “It would have been so sad to see it demolished as it has such a rich history and culture. When we told them that we were interested in this ridiculous house on this ridiculous island, my family were very excited because it was quite a different project.
“It gave us a lot of confidence to take the plunge and give it a go. You just have a gut feel. It is so unique, there aren’t many private islands on the Thames. We had no idea what to do with it. We just wanted a nice family home. We thought it would be a great place to have family reunions.”
Since moving in, the couple has extensively restored the house, even repairing the shattered glass dome that was flooding the hallway. The family also converted a “horrible” former boathouse at the end of the island into a cafe-bar they call D’Oyly’s.
Princess Anne visited their new home in February to thank them for their efforts to restore the cultural landmark. Overall, despite having to live in a construction site, Andy says they have no regrets about buying the property.
The Island also now hosts a range of wellness classes at the mansion, including Pilates and yoga. And inspired by the island’s rich music history, Andy decided to host summer concerts as part of the Weybridge Festival.
After a successful run last year, he has planned for the three-day event to return on July 4-6. It will feature live music, a hog roast, a Pimm’s tent, face paint, and other activities.
Elmbridge Borough Council had originally opposed the event, but has now given the green light after escape plans were put in place in case of emergency.
There is a secure footbridge from the mainland to D’Oyly Carte, which is only about 50 yards away. Andy claims that his island is safer than the mainland, as there is no traffic and it is much harder for people to sneak in.
He said: “It is an amazingly calm place to live. It really does feel like a party house and a fun house. We have the perfect balance. It was always going to be an expensive project, and we were happy with that.”