Two Private Islands Home To The Ruins Of Wallis Simpson’s Royal Hideaway, Now Up For Auction

From the house they hid out in during the abdication crisis, to their favourite French Riviera hotel-suite-turned-home, there seems to be no end of properties conncted to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor hitting the market in recent months. The infamous tale of the King and the American divorcée, Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson were the favourite tabloid fodder of their day. Having insisted on marrying socialite Simpson against the Church’s wishes, Eddie was forced to abdicate the throne and leave poor old Blighty behind.

But with such glaring disapproval from the palace how did the pair manage to pull-off this protocal-breaking romance in the first place? In the early days of their love affair, it’s said that the pair would hide out at a property, rather fittingly, named The Nest, on a private island on The Thames. And now this same isle, and it’s sister island, are heading under the hammer.

Holm & Hollyhock Islands For Sale

Talk of private islands tends to conjure up images of tropical paradises and rural rocky outcrops. While the concept of a private island sounds appealing in a storybook, the prospect of living slap-bang in the middle of nowhere, and needing to charter a boat (or helicopter) just to pick up some groceries, sounds less glamorous in reality. Offering the best of both worlds, these two private islands on the River Thames combine the charm and seclusion of a Swallows and Amazons-esque world with that oh-so-handy access to civilisation. 

Holm and Hollyhock Island first came to the market last year for £3m. But, having failed to sell, the plot is now being put up for auction at nearly half (£1.65m) the original asking price. Linked together by a footbridge, it’s the now uninhabited Hollyhock Island that served as Edward and Wallis’s secret hideaway. Though the house no longer exists, the remains of the The Nest can still be seen there to this day.

Edward first struck up a relationship with Wallis Simpson in 1931, while she was still married. Crowned King Edward VIII upon his father’s death, he ruled for less than a year (325 days) before his relationship threw him into a royal scandal. His plans to marry were foiled by the Church of England and its stance on living with ex-spouses. Choosing love over the crown, Edward abdicated in December 1936, leaving his brother George to become King. And without the right royal scandal, George’s daughter Elizabeth II may never have become Queen.

The Grounds

Sounding like something straight out of an Enid Blyton book, Holm and Hollyhock Islands are perched on the River Thames in Wraysbury, Berkshire. With a five-bedroom home on Holm, this larger island spans 2.5 acres and offers up 1,200 ft of panoramic river views. Accessed via a gated driveway and a bridge, this property is equipped with wrap-around balconies and an open-plan design. Out back, deer, woodpeckers and parakeets can be spotted in the ancient acre of woodland, while a large garden fit for entertaining sits on the other side. 

The current owners explained that they found the islands after a five year search for the perfect home: ‘It’s utterly unique here; secluded, private and a peaceful sanctuary all to ourselves, and yet we’re so close to everything […] It’s like stepping into a peaceful oasis; the air is cleaner, the woodland full of wildlife, and being so close to the water is very cathartic.’

While they’re now downsizing, they are excited to pass the islands onto the next owner. ‘We hope they’ll feel just as inspired as we have been by this magical setting and embrace the freedom to create their own haven here. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’

Inside

Of course living on an island (particularly in these turbulent times) can be risky business. Whilst you may need to occasionally don your wellies, the water which encroaches the island for around 10-15 days a year doesn’t usually pass beyond the ankles and has never affected the home’s living areas. The property is designed with two garages on the ground floor and two exterior staircases, creating space for the water to flow into, and allowing an alternative route inside if the island ever floods. In case the flooding situation ever worsens in the future, there is scope to redesign, or even rebuild the house, to better ward against the waters. 

Inside, the first floor offers up a large living room with wall to wall windows and balconies, as well as an open fireplace for cooler nights. There’s also a connected kitchen and dining room, playroom, study and store room, alongside a bedroom, plus a further four bedrooms on the floor above, all equipped with en suites. 

Holm and Hollyhock Islands are being auctioned off by Savills on 28 July. Find out more at auctions.savills.co.uk