Dog walkers in a quaint Cotswolds village are growing concerned that a popular countryside route could be closed for security reasons if global superstars Beyoncé and Jay-Z finalize their rumored estate purchase.
The iconic music duo is said to be nearing completion on acquiring 58 acres of agricultural land in Wigginton, near the Oxfordshire border within the stunning Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Plans are reportedly underway to build an expansive seven-bedroom countryside mansion on the site.
This development could mean that fields and a serene lake, long treasured by local dog walkers, will become off-limits, sparking fears among residents about losing a much-loved walking path.
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One local dog owner, who frequents the route daily with her labrador, lurcher, and greyhound, lamented, “Walking through Beyoncé’s fields is easier because it’s less steep, which helps with my three dogs. We haven’t been told anything yet, but it’s sad because she’ll probably visit only once a year, if that.”
Another villager echoed this concern, saying, “We walk there regularly, and if Beyoncé and Jay-Z move in, I doubt they’ll want a footpath nearby. It will probably be fenced off, shortening our walk. Everyone here loves this path, so it’s frustrating. Plus, celebrity residents might bring a rise in traffic, causing parking chaos like in other busy villages.”
Beyoncé first sparked relocation rumors when she and Jay-Z were spotted touring Oxfordshire last June. The property was purchased off-market, so details of the transaction remain private.
Architectural plans describe their planned home as a “spectacular rural estate” that marries timeless materials with contemporary design, offering seamless indoor-outdoor living. The design intends to blend harmoniously with the natural landscape while embracing sustainable construction practices.
The estate lies just five minutes from Great Tew, a picturesque village favored by various celebrities including the Beckhams, Simon Cowell, and Ellen DeGeneres. Nearby is the exclusive Soho Farmhouse, a well-known celebrity retreat, and the upscale Daylesford Organic farm shop, which attracted US Vice President JD Vance last summer.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly viewed the property by helicopter during her British tour dates last year. Friends in the area include Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, making the location an attractive countryside retreat from London’s bustle.
As the village awaits official word, dog walkers hope their beloved path remains accessible despite the arrival of such high-profile neighbors.