Just over a year ago, Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia De Rossi, purchased the stunning Kitesbridge Farm in the Cotswolds, a sprawling 14,660-square-foot estate with seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and 43 acres of picturesque land. The couple initially planned to use the property as a seasonal retreat, spending three to four months each year enjoying the rural charm and beauty of the English countryside.
At the time of purchase, Ellen expressed her admiration for the area’s unique appeal, saying, “It’s absolutely beautiful…the villages, architecture, and the simpler way of life. Everything is just better – the way animals are treated, how polite people are. I just love it here.” The couple’s appreciation for the tranquility and lifestyle of the Cotswolds was clear.
However, following the U.S. presidential election and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the couple reconsidered their original plan. Ellen recalled, “We woke up to lots of texts from our friends and crying emojis…so we are staying here. We are not going back.” This decision turned their part-time holiday home into a potential long-term residence.
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Yet, despite the estate’s grandeur and extensive renovations that boosted its value from £15 million to £22.5 million, Ellen and Portia found the property ultimately didn’t meet all their needs—particularly for Portia, whose passion for horses runs deep. The Kitesbridge Farm, despite its size, lacks adequate facilities for her beloved animals.
Instead, the couple is moving to a sleek, modern glass-fronted single-storey home perched on a hill in Oxfordshire. Designed to “redefine rural modern living,” the new residence contrasts sharply with their traditional Cotswold farmhouse. This move hasn’t escaped criticism, with social media commentators labeling the new house a “concrete and glass monstrosity” and a “genuine hate crime,” highlighting the divide between traditional and modern architectural tastes.
While the couple’s previous home underwent a remarkable transformation—70 craftsmen spent 10 weeks remodeling the 18th-century Grade II-listed farmhouse into a Californian-style haven complete with a heated indoor pool, gym, and potential helicopter pad conversion—their new home promises a different kind of lifestyle aligned more closely with their evolving preferences.
This sale makes Kitesbridge Farm one of the most expensive properties in the Cotswolds, dwarfing the local average house price of just over £445,000. The couple’s move underscores how even lavish homes don’t always match the unique lifestyle needs of their owners.