10 homes as far away from the real world as you can get
Remote bolt-holes in the back of beyond
Hankering after some peace and quiet? If you're yearning to quit the rat race and channel your inner hermit, we've got some serious real estate eye candy for you. From off-grid wilderness homes deep in the forest, to isolated retreats on far-flung islands, take a peek at these extra-remote homes, up for sale right now.
Desert escape, Joshua Tree, USA: $878,000 (£705k)
Craving the solitude of the desert? If you've got $878,000 (£705k) to spare, this isolated off-grid ranch house is calling your name. Set in 2.5 acres at the edge of Joshua Tree National Park in California, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom escape is surrounded by an adobe wall for extra privacy.
Desert escape, Joshua Tree, USA: $878,000 (£705k)
On the market with Century 21, the desert property is the perfect place to chill. The outside area boasts a calming spa, complete with a healing saltwater pool, yoga and meditation area and plenty of lounging areas to relax and unwind.
Desert escape, Joshua Tree, USA: $878,000 (£705k)
The interiors are cool yet cozy and feature barnwood walls, hand-painted shutters and quality stone flooring. Living space is plentiful with a huge great room, studio and office, in addition to the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen.
Alpine hideaway, Allions Margeriaz, France: $293,000 (£236k)
If you're not a fan of the desert, this mountain hideaway may be more your thing. Located in the French Alps, the five-bedroom hunting lodge-style property nestles in a super-secluded valley and offers the most incredible views of the nearby peaks.
Alpine hideaway, Allions Margeriaz, France: $293,000 (£236k)
A true get-away-from-it-all property, the house is surrounded by pine forest, which looks stunning in the winter when it is covered in snow. The property includes a large store room, wine cellar and timber store, ideal for stashing away your firewood.
Alpine hideaway, Allions Margeriaz, France: $293,000 (£236k)
Inside, the rooms feature rough stone walls and rustic beams, and there's a double height living room with an extra-large fireplace. The snug theme continues throughout the house and the bedrooms are just as warm and inviting. The property is on the market with Leggett Immobilier.
Custom-built island, worldwide : POA
Money no object? Look no further than this custom-built island. Developer Dutch Docklands has teamed up with Christie's International Real Estate and Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society charity to create floating, bespoke islands.
Custom-built island, worldwide : POA
The Amillarah Private Islands project is developing the ultimate private retreats in various locations worldwide, including Dubai, the Maldives and Miami, but these floating bolt-holes can be customized to the buyer's exact specifications and located anywhere in the world, subject to planning approval of course.
Custom-built island, worldwide : POA
Each mini island is eco-friendly and self-sustaining, as well as being ultra-luxurious and kitted out with all mod cons. Prices are on application but you can probably expect to pay in the tens of millions of dollars for one of these babies.
Lakeside retreat, Norton Disney, England: $743,000 (£595k)
Far from the madding crowd, this magical lakeside retreat in rural Lincolnshire is set on a small island within 12 acres of woodland. Bursting with eco credentials, the low impact, low energy property is entirely off-grid and heated by wood burners. It is on the market with JH Walter.
Lakeside retreat, Norton Disney, England: $743,000 (£595k)
Accessed by two little bridges, the three-bedroom house is airy and open plan and there's a detached boathouse with extra accommodation on the site, adding to the space. The property also comprises a detached home office, charming shepherd's hut and dinky workshop.
Lakeside retreat, Norton Disney, England: $743,000 (£595k)
You won't have to worry about extortionate heating bills if you snap up this property. The main house features ultra-high levels of insulation and requires very little fuel to heat, which in any case is obtained free-of-charge from a managed woodland area on the site.
Self-sufficient hideout, British Columbia, Canada: $889,000 (£715k)
Likewise, this self-sufficient home in the wilds of British Columbia is free to power. The property has its very own hydro-electricity generating system, which supplies a constant 7kw of AC power to the home all year round.
Self-sufficient hideout, British Columbia, Canada: $889,000 (£715k)
On the market with Property Guys, the house produces more than enough power to heat the home in winter and even enough to charge an electric car. Aside from the free bills, the breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and mountains are the biggest selling point of this isolated property.
Self-sufficient hideout, British Columbia, Canada: $889,000 (£715k)
The home's rustic porch is the perfect spot to admire the awe-inspiring vistas. Inside, there are two massive bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen and an open plan living area, which have all been recently decorated.
Island bolt-hole, Valasay, Scotland: $387,000 (£310k)
This three-bedroom cottage is located on its own island off the coast of Scotland, which is only accessible via a precarious-looking footbridge, or by boat. Aptly named Tigh Na Sith, which is Gaelic for 'House of Peace', the property is a haven of tranquillity.
Island bolt-hole, Valasay, Scotland: $387,000 (£310k)
Wonderfully windswept and isolated, Great Bernera, as it is known, was once owned by a former Queen's Herald, Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees, who is said to have been the inspiration behind Ian Fleming's James Bond.
Island bolt-hole, Valasay, Scotland: $387,000 (£310k)
The house, which is on the market with GK Galbraith, boasts three bedrooms, a large country kitchen with range cooker, and cozy living room, not to mention a spa-style relaxation suit with an indoor infinity pool and sauna.
Secret fishing lodge, USA: $275,000 (£221k)
Even harder to reach, this out of the way fishing lodge in Alaska is only accessible via boat, floatplane or snowmobile in winter – the nearest road is miles away. Totally off-grid, the property is powered by solar panels, a backup gas generator and wood burners.
Secret fishing lodge, USA: $275,000 (£221k)
Located on the banks of the Deshka river, the property is built high off the ground, ideal if the river floods or when there's five feet of snow on the ground in winter. Remarkably well-insulated, the house requires minimal fuel, even in the depths of winter.
Secret fishing lodge, USA: $275,000 (£221k)
On the market with Remote Properties for a reasonable $275,000 (£221k), the lodge consists of three large bedrooms, an open plan living room with a gigantic stone fireplace and bathrooms with eco composting toilets.
Wilderness mansion, Marion, USA: $865,000 (£693k)
Billed as a 'survival mansion', this luxury three-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom off-grid home is tucked away in the forests of Montana and features a panic room, state of the art security and its own power generators, everything you'd need in fact to sit out a zombie apocalypse in style.
Wilderness mansion, Marion, USA: $865,000 (£693k)
Set in 40 acres of Montana wilderness, the house wows with 10-foot ceilings and feature windows that let in plenty of light. There's a huge wraparound porch on which to relax and unwind, and an outdoor gas cooker for summer barbecues.
Wilderness mansion, Marion, USA: $865,000 (£693k)
On the market with PureWest Real Estate, the house is all about surviving the end of the world in luxury, from the heated hardwood flooring and alder wood doors, to the cutting-edge sound system and bathrooms, which are all fitted with jacuzzi whirlpool tubs.
Hippie house, Andalusia, Spain: $234,000 (£188k)
This remote eco house in Andalusia comes with hundreds of olive, almond, fig and carob trees, as well as three quirky trailers, so it would make for the perfect small-scale farm or glamping operation. Completely off-grid, it is powered by solar panels and a backup generator.
Hippie house, Andalusia, Spain: $234,000 (£188k)
Water comes from a spring on the property and the solar panels produce more than enough energy to power a washing machine, dishwasher, air con and the hot water tank, so energy bills are more or less non-existent.
Hippie house, Andalusia, Spain: $234,000 (£188k)
The house, which is listed on the Sustainable Properties for Sale website, consists of two large-ish bedrooms, a spacious living area and kitchen, but the three trailers provide extra accommodation and can of course be rented out to supplement the owner's income if desired.
Isolated fort, Pembroke, Wales: $685,000 (£550k)
Currently under offer with Knight Frank, this dramatic-looking fort is located on an island off the coast of Wales, which is only accessible by boat or helicopter. The Thorne Island fort, which dates from the 19th century, has been unoccupied for quite some time and is in desperate need of renovation.
Isolated fort, Pembroke, Wales: $685,000 (£550k)
The isolated fort has loads of space and plenty of potential. The accommodation is arranged around a large courtyard and features two bars, cloakrooms, a games room, dining room, kitchen and nine large bedrooms, which can be reconfigured subject to planning approval.
Isolated fort, Pembroke, Wales: $685,000 (£550k)
Space, or the lack of it really isn't an issue here. The property also comprises an additional two kitchens, a laundry, shower room, two bathrooms and a sauna, and there are other empty rooms in the fort that are crying out for conversion.
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