A PRIVATE island venue off the coast of Hampshire has been voted the coolest on water.

Spitbank Fort, triumphed over stiff competition at the seventh annual COOL Venue Awards, winning the UK award for ‘COOLest On-Water Venue’ and beating Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Cutty Sark, The Yacht and The Edwardian.

Spitbank Fort, the creatively restored historic sea fortress owned by AmaZing Venues in the Solent, can host up to 60 guests with three bars, a dining room in The Crow’s Nest with 360 degree views of the Solent, The Officer’s Mess restaurant, a rooftop hot pool and fire pit, wine cellar and games rooms. The venue also boasts nine luxuriously appointed bedrooms with sea view portholes.