Rolf Harris' Former Mansion Remains Unsold After Drastic Price Reduction
The former Berkshire mansion of convicted paedophile and television personality Rolf Harris has failed to secure a buyer at auction, despite the asking price being reduced by more than £2 million. The property, located in Bray, Berkshire, where Harris carried out his heinous crimes, initially entered the market almost a year ago with a price tag of £4 million.
Auction Bidding Falls Short of Reserve Price
In a recent online auction hosted by BTG Eddisons, the starting offer was set at £1.95 million, but this failed to generate interest. Auctioneer Andrew Parker was forced to quickly lower the bidding to begin at £1.4 million, a reduction of £550,000 from the asking price. Offers reportedly increased in modest increments of £10,000, yet they only reached a maximum of £1.54 million, falling well below the understood reserve price of £1.75 million.
Property's Dark History and Current State of Disrepair
Harris was imprisoned in July 2014 for five years and nine months after being found guilty of twelve indecent assaults against four young girls, with some of these crimes occurring within this very Berkshire home between 1968 and 1986. In one disturbing instance, he sexually assaulted one of his daughter's friends, aged between 13 and 19, while his daughter slept nearby.
The auction listing acknowledged the property's sensitive background, stating: 'Prospective buyers are advised that there is a sensitive matter regarding this lot. Please contact us for further details.' It also noted that the mansion requires modernisation and may offer potential for redevelopment, subject to planning permission.
However, the house has significantly deteriorated during its time on the market. Photographs reveal the property covered in moss, with decaying walls, a rusted front gate hanging off its hinges, and cracked windows. Estate agent Brian Warren of Warren Property Matters estimated that up to £2 million in renovations would be needed to make it habitable, suggesting it might be better suited for demolition and rebuilding due to the stigma attached.
Celebrity Neighbourhood and Harris' Legacy
The mansion is situated in a village popular with celebrities, including Sir Michael Caine, Heston Blumenthal, and the late Sir Michael Parkinson. Modelled after Harris' childhood home in Perth, Western Australia, the property stands in stark contrast to its glamorous surroundings.
Harris rose to fame in his early twenties after moving to England, becoming an art student and securing television work at the BBC. He gained prominence through children's programming, such as Jigsaw, and later invented the wobbleboard, featured in his song 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport'. His career ended in disgrace following his conviction.
In 2017, neighbours reportedly put their multimillion-pound riverside properties up for sale after Harris returned home from prison. The mansion underwent renovations in preparation for his return, but after his death there in May 2023 at age 93, the property's future remains uncertain, with its dark history continuing to deter potential buyers.
