Tim Burton Lists £4.5m Oxfordshire Estate with Private Islands and Thames Access

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A grand English countryside estate in Oxfordshire, currently owned by acclaimed Hollywood director Tim Burton, has been listed for sale at £4.5 million. The Georgian property, called Mill House, spans 17 acres and includes direct access to the River Thames and three small private islands.

The eight-bedroom residence, built in 1741, has been described by the estate agent Savills as an “enchanted paradise.” With a mix of historical charm and modern convenience, the property features a library, a drawing room, and classic Georgian details, including sash windows, panelled doors, and original shutters.

Burton, best known for directing cult favourites such as Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Netflix’s Wednesday, purchased the estate in 2006 with his partner at the time, actress Helena Bonham Carter. The pair met during Planet of the Apes filming in 2001 and were together for 13 years before separating in 2014.

Mill House has a notable lineage. Before Burton’s ownership, it belonged to Bonham Carter’s great-grandfather, Herbert Henry Asquith, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916. Despite Burton’s association with dark, whimsical aesthetics in film, the home maintains a more traditional look, with elegant furnishings and classic English décor.

In one sitting room, vintage cinema posters provide a personal touch, including a framed piece from the 1966 Japanese sci-fi film The War of the Gargantuas. Burton once commented on the film’s nostalgic appeal, telling The Standard it was a favourite in his household: “My children were obsessed with it, as I was.”

Among the estate’s more eye-catching features are its sprawling gardens, a croquet lawn, and a mill pond. There is also a pergola walkway and several streams weaving through the grounds. Hugh Maconochie, director in Savills’ country house department and private office, noted the property’s unique setting and appeal: “Mill House is a quintessential example of an English country house, blending timeless charm with modern comfort. Of particular note are its wonderful grounds and gardens, which promise the future owner a truly enchanting lifestyle – one that is reminiscent of a Swallows and Amazons adventure.”

The listing marks yet another high-profile sale for Burton. In 2023, the director sold a separate London-based property, Eglon House, for an eye-watering £17.5 million. That home in Primrose Hill was spread across 13,000 square feet and featured two interlinked buildings surrounding a courtyard garden. A British media entrepreneur eventually bought it.

Savills is marketing the current Oxfordshire listing, and with its rare combination of seclusion, heritage, and natural beauty, it is expected to attract significant interest both within the UK and abroad.