US television personality Ellen DeGeneres has placed her flood-plagued Cotswolds farmhouse on the verge of sale after discreetly reducing the asking price by a substantial £4.5 million, according to exclusive revelations. The property, Kitesbridge Farm near Burford in Oxfordshire, has faced significant challenges in the market, primarily due to recurring flooding from the River Windrush that frequently breaches its banks across the 43-acre estate.
Dramatic Price Reduction and Market Challenges
When the seven-bedroom country estate was initially listed in July last year with Sotheby's International Realty for £22.5 million, local estate agents expressed bewilderment at the valuation. This figure represented a 50 percent increase over the £15 million DeGeneres and her wife, actress Portia De Rossi, had paid for the property just twelve months earlier in June 2024. One agent familiar with the original transaction described the asking price as "absolutely crazy", noting that even the initial purchase had been £2.5 million above the £12.5 million asking price at that time.
Persistent Flooding Problems
The farmhouse's marketing difficulties have been compounded by ongoing environmental issues. Exclusive photographs reveal the property remained flooded as recently as November 2025, with the River Windrush – a Thames tributary flowing through the estate – regularly overflowing. This well-publicised flooding concern made the substantial price increase particularly puzzling to property experts in the Cotswolds region.
Meanwhile, the celebrity couple have reportedly purchased another £15 million residence on a hilltop near Chipping Norton, approximately half an hour north of Kitesbridge Farm, partly in response to the persistent high water levels at their original property.
Changing Circumstances and Tax Implications
Several factors have influenced the property's journey to market:
- Reports before Christmas suggested DeGeneres and De Rossi were growing weary of British winters and considering a return to California
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves' November budget introduced a £7,500 annual 'mansion' tax affecting properties of this value
- Interest in the farm is believed to have stalled towards the end of last year
In response to these challenges, Sotheby's International began quietly informing interested parties that the price had been reduced from £22.5 million to £18 million – a significant £4.5 million reduction that was not publicly advertised.
Current Sale Status and Buyer Interest
The property has now disappeared from estate agents' websites with a message stating "This property is no longer available". A source familiar with the sale explained this development to the Daily Mail: "There is firm interest at the moment in Kitesbridge which is why it has vanished from the website. We have an American buyer lined up and are going through the motions. Its disappearance is part of the agreement between vendor and buyer."
The same source elaborated on the property's valuation: "It has been widely publicised that the current owners bought the property for £15 million. They then spent £7.5 million on comprehensive renovations both externally and internally, with curated furniture included in the price. That explains the initial £22.5 million valuation aimed at recovering their financial position."
Property Features and Marketing
Despite the flooding issues, the estate boasts numerous luxury features that were highlighted in its original marketing:
- A beautifully reimagined main house with period character and modern design
- Seven bedrooms across the main residence with a principal suite featuring marble-clad ensuite
- A two-bedroom guest cottage with independent facilities
- A converted granary building with five-car garage and party barn containing its own pub
- Purpose-built leisure suite with heated indoor swimming pool and gym facilities
- Helicopter shed with conversion potential for various uses
- Thoughtfully landscaped gardens including formal lawns and kitchen garden
The estate was marketed as "A Landmark Country Estate in the Heart of the Cotswolds", discreetly positioned at the end of a long private driveway and offering complete privacy while remaining conveniently located near desirable local amenities including Estelle Manor and Soho Farmhouse.
The source emphasised that there was "no pressure on the client to sell", noting that DeGeneres and De Rossi have an estimated combined wealth of £400 million. The unusual strategy of quietly reducing the price without public announcement was implemented because "sometimes adverse publicity can affect the business of certain clients".
The situation is expected to become clearer in the coming days as final terms are negotiated with the prospective American buyer. Representatives for Ellen DeGeneres have been approached for comment regarding the sale.
