A private island on the Thames is on sale - by an entrepreneur who made millions through debt collection and starred in BBC's 'Bailiffs'.

Hallsmead Ait, an eyot in Berkshire and close to Shiplake Lock in Oxfordshire, is set to be auctioned next month if it is not sold before.

Agent Savills said it was a "unique opportunity" to own the vacant 4.75 acre island - which is wooded and has its own landing pontoon."

The island was purchased three years ago by entrepreneur Jamie Waller, 46, for around half a million pounds.

But with Mr Waller moving out of Henley on Thames, he decided to put this unique plot on sale.

He said: "I just thought I would let it go. Someone as ambitious as me would buy it and so something interesting with."

"I would like to see someone ambitious to do something meaningful such as an entrepreneur retreat."

Jamie comes from humble beginnings, growing up in the East End of London and as a young man with dyslexia, he feels that he was failed by the education system.

Mr Waller left school at sixteen without a single qualification and twenty-one years later he went on to sell his business for more than £40m.

He founded the debt collection and outsourcing company JBW Group, fintech solutions company Hito, the private equity firm Firestarters, and the fintech company Just, where he serves as chair.

Waller featured in the BBC's Bailiffs TV show for two years beginning in 2000 along with other members of WiseHill and JBW staff.

He was also featured in the follow-up show The Enforcers and in the debt advice show Beat the Bailiff.

He is also the author of two books, Unsexy Business and The Dyslexic Entrepreneur.

The entrepreneur has now moved to London and said the island is now ready for "imaginative use" - such as an entrepreneur retreat."

He said that the area is one of the most beautiful parts of the country to live in.

"What makes so special is that there is a heavy use of the river - like the Henley Rigatta," Mr Waller added."

"There is something very lovely about turning up in your own island on your boat with your family and having a barbeque."

Mr Waller said to be excited to see the island turned into "something meaningful" in the next couple of years when he passes by it on his boat. "

"It would be a shame if they just turn it into a single boat house," he added. "

On the agents website it said the island was on located in "one of the most picturesque reaches of"

the River Thames" on a "tranquil stretch known for its unspoilt natural beauty"."

It said it had "sweeping views across the water and a rich variety of wildlife along its banks"."

The affluent village of Sonning is within three miles downstream whilst Reading town centre is within five miles to the west.

The private plot will be offered at an auction without reserve on Tuesday November 25.

To bid or buy the property visit Savills website here: https://auctions.savills.co.uk/auctions/21--22-october-2025-195/hallsmead-ait-shiplake-henley-on-thames-berkshire-rg9-4bw-18826