Could Barclays’ Brecqhou be sold?

Tuesday 16 March 2021

The recent death of one of the billionaire Barclay twins amid family feuding, and recent high-stakes divorce proceedings involving the other, has raised the question of whether the brothers’ island haven could be sold off if their assets are divided up.

Brecqhou billionaire Sir David Barclay, father to four sons and grandfather to nine, passed away aged 86 in January following what was described as a “short illness.”

Alongside his brother Sir Frederick, he owned the Telegraph Newspaper Group and the Ritz, before the famed London hotel was sold last year, leading to a family feud that resulted in court proceedings.

Pictured: The Ritz, which was previously owned by the Barclays, was sold last year.

The case involved allegations that Sir David’s sons had bugged the Ritz conservatory in what was described in court as “commercial espionage on a vast scale."

This week, it emerged that Sir Frederick Barclay is going through a divorce trial in the Family Divison of the High Court with his wife, Lady Hiroko.

Mr Justice Cohen, who has ruled that no evidence heard during the virtual trial can be published, began hearing arguments from lawyers yesterday.

Pictured: Sir Frederick Barclay is going through a divorce trial, which is being heard virtually by the High Court. (David Castor)

It had started in March last year, but was derailed by the outbreak of covid-19, which led to Sir Frederick entering self-isolation. 

The combination of the death of Sir David, and ongoing divorce proceedings for Sir Frederick, together raise the question over the future for one of the smallest Channel Islands.

The reclusive twins - who last year had a combined wealth of £7 billion - bought 32-hectare Brecqhou in 1993 and built their own fortress-come-mansion on the small Channel Island.

Pictured: Brecqhou viewed from above.

Purchased for around £3.5m, it looked to be a sound investment for two of Britain’s richest individuals, as it came with significant privacy.

According to the Barclays’ official history, the windswept island was originally an “eyesore”. Just three years later, the existing manor house had been razed and mock-gothic structure Fort Brecqhou – which eventually became known simply as ‘The Castle’ – was erected.

Also included within the island’s idyllic grounds are helipads, a chapel, carp pond, vineyard, a pub for staff events, an orangery and further accommodation.

For many years, the island could only be viewed from the air, with visitors strictly prohibited. But in 2012 it was decided that anyone staying in one of the Barclays’ Sark hotels for two nights would be allowed to visit for free, subject to security clearance.

Anyone afforded the opportunity to visit is only able to take mental snapshots of the landscape, however, with photography strictly prohibited.