The Berkshire mansion of convicted paedophile Rolf Harris has failed to sell at auction after bids fell short of the seller's expectations. The riverside property in Bray was listed with a guide price of £1.95 million at an online auction held by BTG Eddisons, but the highest bid reached only £1.54 million, below the reserve price of £1.75 million.
The house was originally put on the market in April last year for £4 million, but the price was later reduced due to the property's condition and the stigma associated with its former owner. Auctioneer Andrew Parker started bidding at £1.95 million before lowering it to £1.45 million to attract offers. Bids began at £1.4 million and increased in £10,000 increments, but failed to meet the reserve.
The property, which Harris inherited from his parents, has fallen into disrepair since his death in 2023. It features four bedrooms, a 45ft living/dining room, a 35ft master bedroom, and multiple balconies overlooking the River Thames, with a total floor area of 6,440 sq ft. The auction listing noted that the property would benefit from modernisation and may offer scope for redevelopment, subject to planning permission.
Local estate agent Brian Warren previously estimated the house was worth around £2 million due to the stigma and the need for extensive rebuilding work, which he said could cost an additional £1.5 million. Harris's daughter, Bindi, inherited the mansion along with most of his £16 million estate.
Harris, once a beloved TV entertainer and artist, was jailed in 2014 for indecent assaults on four girls between the 1960s and 1980s. He died in 2023 at the age of 93.
