The Cotswolds are no stranger to having big names as residents, with stars such as the Beckham family and Ellen DeGeneres among those setting up home in the countryside.
And it’s now thought that Beyonce and Jay-Z are in the final stages of purchasing 58 acres of land on the outskirts of Wigginton, after receiving planning permission to build a ‘spectacular rural estate’.
If the couple seal the deal, they will be a stone’s throw away from Great Tew, where a string of big names already reside.
Given previous backlash when British villagers have been disturbed by high-profile moves, this one has divided the locals, as Gerry Barrago, 77, who lives close to the now-closed White Swan Inn, said: ‘I don’t give a flying toss.’
He added that his wife frequently sees Beyonce and Jay-Z swoop into Burford Garden Centre in their classic Range Rovers.
‘When someone points them out to my wife, her first reaction is to ask who they are,’ Gerry added. ‘Some of these so-called celebrities I’ve never actually heard of.’
Beyonce and Jay-Z are reportedly in the final stages of purchasing 58 acres of land on the outskirts of Wigginton, after receiving planning permission to build a ‘spectacular rural estate’
Designs show how the couple are hoping to build a mansion with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms overlooking a lake in the sleepy Oxfordshire hotspot
Given the closure of Wigginton’s local haunt, Beyoncé and Jay-Z could pay a visit to Falkland Arms, Great Tew’s village pub.
One staff member said she had only seen David Beckham visit the pub once during the time she’d spent working there, and was reluctant to see Beyonce’s arrival attract the wrong kind of clientele.
She told The Times: ‘We love our local clientele and we don’t want the couple’s arrival to bring in a different sort.’
Other long-term residents of Wigginton have also shared their concerns, with Thomas Winter, 30, fearing it could limit his opportunities to get on the housing ladder.
Referencing US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the Cotswolds last month, he shared that the ‘ethos’ of the area has changed due to the influx of Londoners and big names buying property in the area.
Another described the move as ‘madness,’ but an excited local gushed they couldn’t wait to see Beyonce at the village fete.
Earlier this summer, Beyonce and Jay-Z took a helicopter ride to view a mansion in the Oxfordshire hotspot.
And designs reportedly show how the mansion plans could have seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, overlooking a lake.
If the couple seal the deal, they will be a stone’s throw away from Great Tew, where a string of big names already reside (Wigginton stock image pictured)
Given previous backlash when British villagers have been disturbed by high-profile moves, this one has divided locals, with some sharing concerns it will bring the wrong clientele to the area
Owain Jones, a property consultant who has been dealing with the sale of the 58 acres, revealed that the guide price for the land was £7.5million
Owain Jones, a property consultant who has been dealing with the sale of the 58 acres, revealed that the guide price for the land was £7.5million but once the estate has been built it is likely to ‘be worth north of £18million’.
Branding the Cotswolds the ‘Hamptons Of The UK’, he said: ‘From the discretion of nearby familiar members’ clubs such as Soho Farmhouse and Estelle Manor to the organic offerings of Daylesford Farm, this location places you at the heart of the Cotswolds’ most refined community.’
Describing stars who descend on the Cotswolds as the ‘Chipping Norton Set,’ buying agents have said big names looking to relocate to the area have turned it into ‘the most fashionable countryside to be in’.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Beyonce and Jay-Z for comment.
A source previously told the Daily Mail’s Eden Confidential that Beyonce and Jay-Z are keen to plant roots in the UK.
A friend of the couple said: ‘The wildfires have given them a good reason to look outside of Los Angeles to build new bases.
‘They will always be based in LA but the UK is on the agenda. Beyonce loves the UK because they support everything she does.’
The couple, adds the pal, are ‘focused on the Cotswolds now because of the land and space. They’ve stayed there.
‘They’ve been looking for properties and will buy if they find somewhere that feels like home, but are looking at short-term agreements while they make their decision.’
In 2017, Beyonce and Jay-Z moved into a 12,000 sq ft residence in Malibu, just after the singer gave birth to twins Rumi and Sir.
Beyonce wouldn’t be the first big US name looking to relocate to the sleepy British countryside, with Ellen DeGeneres also making a move across the Atlantic last year
With a cinema, gym, wine cellar and ocean views, La Villa Contenta was theirs for $400,000 (£300,000) a month.
Later that summer, the couple, who also have an older daughter, Blue Ivy, 13, paid $88million (£66million) for a 30,000 sq ft mansion in Bel Air, California, with eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, four swimming pools and a 15-car garage.
‘Beyonce wants touring to feel as normal as possible for the kids which is why hotels aren’t ideal,’ explains the pal.
Definitions of ‘normal’ vary, of course. In 2023, Beyonce and Jay-Z, while retaining the property in Bel Air, broke the record for a Californian house sale, paying $200million (£150million) for a 40,000 sq ft mansion.
Beyonce wouldn’t be the first big US name looking to relocate to the sleepy British countryside, with Ellen also making a move across the Atlantic last year, in a bid to escape the ‘perils’ of Donald Trump’s America.
