Iconic home on the Thames, previously shared by Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter, up for sale, boasting three private islands.
In the picturesque village of Sutton Courtenay, nestled along the River Thames, stands Mill House - a historic Georgian residence with a rich and varied past. Originally built in 1741 as the residence for the foreman of Sutton Mill, this Grade II-Listed property has been home to notable figures and is now up for sale at £4.5 million.
The property, which was commissioned by the Bank of England to produce secure, hard-to-forge paper for banknotes, has a fascinating history. Although the Bank of England contract expired in 1724, paper production continued at Mill House until the end of the 19th century.
One of the property's most famous owners was Prime Minister Henry Asquith, who purchased Mill House in 1917. Asquith, who served as Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916, also owned another house in the village, The Wharf, where he signed the declaration that led Britain into World War I in 1914. Asquith passed away in February 1929 and is buried in the village churchyard in Sutton Courtenay.
Mill House's current owner is renowned American film director Tim Burton, known for films like Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands. Burton purchased the property in 2006 with his then-partner Helena Bonham Carter. Although they separated in 2014, Burton retained ownership of the property until its recent listing for sale.
Set on 17 acres of land, Mill House offers a tranquil retreat from Burton's Hollywood career. The property features three private islands, a mill pond, streams, and direct access to the river, creating an enchanted paradise. The outside of the house, with its quintessential British countryside idyll, is particularly noteworthy and is likely to drop jaws.
The inside of Mill House is just as impressive, with eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, four reception rooms, a book-lined study, exquisite paned windows with 19th-century cast iron window boxes, a dual aspect drawing room with a striking marble fireplace, a four-door Aga in the kitchen, and a good-sized boot-room.
The gardens are a botanist's dream, with two ancient Cedar of Lebanon trees providing shade on the croquet lawn. Endangered dawn redwoods, wisteria, virginia creeper, horse chestnut, copper beech, yew, cherry, pleached hornbeam are among the plants and trees in the gardens. Waterways snake around the property, forming romantic streams and Thames tributaries. Rosie Paterson, Digital Content Director & Travel Editor, describes the gardens as a "botanical wonderland".
Lilypads are clustered around a picturesque jetty, adding to the property's charm. Wood and rope bridges cross the mill streams and Thames tributaries, providing a unique touch to the gardens. The rose courtyard leads to the front door of Mill House, welcoming visitors with its fragrant blooms.
Asquith also acquired Mill House, which is next door to The Wharf, in 1917 for visiting guests. Today, Mill House offers a unique opportunity for a new owner to step into a piece of British history and create their own enchanting memories.
For more information about Mill House, visit Savills' website or consult a local real estate agent.
- The historic Georgian residence, Mill House, boasts a fascinating past, having been commissioned by the Bank of England for the production of secure banknote paper in the 18th century.
- With its rich history, Mill House, which was once owned by Prime Minister Henry Asquith and currently by Tim Burton, offers a prime opportunity for investing in a home-and-garden property with real-estate potential, nestled along the River Thames in Sutton Courtenay.
