Beyoncé and Jay-Z, two of America’s most influential music icons, are set to make a grand entrance into the British countryside—quite literally. According to multiple reports, the superstar couple is in the final stages of purchasing a sprawling 58-acre estate near Wigginton in the Cotswolds, a region already renowned as a magnet for celebrities and the well-heeled. With planning permission secured for a "spectacular rural estate," the duo appears poised to join a growing list of U.S. megastars seeking solace, privacy, and perhaps a slice of English tranquility far from the relentless glare of Los Angeles.
The Cotswolds, often dubbed the "UK’s answer to the Hamptons" by property insiders (as reported by Evening Standard), is no stranger to high-profile arrivals. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have recently settled in, and the area boasts notable neighbors such as David and Victoria Beckham, Simon Cowell, and even Jeremy Clarkson, whose Diddly Squat farm and pub have become local landmarks. The region’s allure is further heightened by exclusive clubs like Soho Farmhouse and Estelle Manor, and the organic offerings of Daylesford Farm, all frequented by the so-called “Chipping Norton Set” of high-profile residents.
But what exactly are Beyoncé and Jay-Z planning for their English retreat? Reports from Oxford Mail and Daily Mail reveal that the couple has received planning permission to build a mansion featuring seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, each with views overlooking a serene lake. The property, located just minutes from the celebrity-favored village of Great Tew, was initially listed for £7.5 million. Property consultant Owain Jones told Express and Evening Standard that once completed, the estate could be worth “north of £18 million.”
The couple’s interest in the Cotswolds isn’t entirely surprising. According to RadarOnline.com, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been keen to plant roots in the UK for some time, spurred in part by the increasing threat of wildfires in California. “They will always be based in L.A., but the U.K. is on the agenda. Beyoncé loves the UK because they support everything she does,” a friend of the couple shared with the outlet. The pair have reportedly been spotted visiting local garden centers, and were seen arriving by helicopter earlier in summer 2025 to view the site—timed with a break in Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter World Tour, which included six shows in London.
For the couple, whose property portfolio already reads like a real estate fantasy, this move is both a continuation and an evolution. In 2017, they rented a 12,000-square-foot Malibu residence for $400,000 a month after the birth of their twins, Rumi and Sir. That same year, they bought a 30,000-square-foot Bel Air mansion for $88 million—boasting eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, four pools, and a 15-car garage. Not to be outdone, in 2023, they shattered records with a $200 million purchase of a 40,000-square-foot Malibu mansion, the most expensive home ever sold in California, according to RadarOnline.com. Their property ambitions have been fueled by substantial financing: the couple reportedly borrowed over $100 million through two mortgages on their Bel Air mansion, resulting in monthly payments exceeding $500,000, not including property taxes.
Yet, for all the glitz and glamour, the local response in the Cotswolds has been, well, mixed. Some residents are excited at the prospect of rubbing shoulders with global superstars. One villager, quoted by Oxford Mail, “couldn’t wait to see Beyoncé at the village fete.” Others are less enthused. Longtime Wigginton resident Gerry Barrago, 77, told The Times and Evening Standard with a shrug, “I don’t give a flying toss,” adding that his wife often spots the couple at the Burford Garden Centre in their Range Rovers. Another local, Thomas Winter, 30, expressed concern to Express about the impact of celebrity arrivals on the housing market: “The ethos of the area has changed due to the influx of Londoners and big names buying property. It could make it even harder for people like me to get on the housing ladder.”
Staff at the area’s pubs, including The Falkland Arms in Great Tew, have also voiced some reluctance. “We love our local clientele and we don’t want the couple’s arrival to bring in a different sort,” one staff member told Express. Despite these reservations, the Cotswolds continues to attract a steady stream of American A-listers. The area has recently played host to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who stayed in a £3.3 million Great Tew property during her 2024 European Eras tour, and even U.S. Vice President JD Vance chose the region for a family summer holiday.
For Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the move seems to be about more than just adding another jewel to their real estate crown. According to RadarOnline.com, Beyoncé is particularly focused on ensuring her children experience a sense of normalcy during her touring years, preferring a home base over hotels. “Beyoncé wants touring to feel as normal as possible for the kids, which is why hotels aren’t ideal,” a friend explained. The couple is reportedly considering short-term agreements while they finalize their decision, ensuring that wherever they land, it truly feels like home.
As the purchase nears completion, speculation abounds about the impact their arrival will have on the local community. Will the presence of such high-profile neighbors change the character of the Cotswolds? Will it drive up property prices and attract even more celebrities? Or will the area’s traditional charm and close-knit village ethos endure, undisturbed by the arrival of global superstars?
One thing’s for sure: whether met with excitement, indifference, or concern, the prospect of Beyoncé and Jay-Z settling in the English countryside is a testament to the Cotswolds’ enduring appeal. For the couple, it’s another bold step in a life lived on a global stage—one where the next act may well unfold among rolling hills, ancient stone cottages, and the quiet hum of village life.
