The Berkshire mansion of disgraced paedophile Rolf Harris has failed to sell at auction after bids fell short of the seller's expectations. The property, located 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.
The reserve price for the six-bedroom home was reportedly £1.75 million. Auctioneer Andrew Parker started bidding at £1.95 million before reducing it by £500,000 to encourage offers. Bids began at £1.4 million and increased in £10,000 increments, but ultimately did not meet the reserve.
The property was originally put on the market in April last year with a guide price of £4 million. It has been in a state of disrepair since Harris's death nearly three years ago. His daughter, Bindi, 61, inherited the mansion along with most of his £16 million estate.
The auction listing alluded to the property's dark history, advising prospective buyers of a 'sensitive matter' and suggesting the site may offer scope for redevelopment, subject to planning permission. Local estate agent Brian Warren previously said the house was worth half its original listing due to the 'stigma' associated with it and estimated £1.5 million of rebuilding work would be needed.
Harris, once a beloved TV personality 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.
