Life in the English countryside might soon get a touch of Hollywood sparkle. Global music icons Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly close to buying a £7 million mansion in rural Oxfordshire.
But while the couple are said to have fallen for the charm of the rolling fields, locals are warning them that their dream home may not be quite as perfect as it looks.
A Plot with a Secret
The sprawling 58-acre plot the couple have been eyeing has earned an unfortunate nickname from villagers—“the paddy field.” The reason? It floods almost every year.
Despite its glossy appearance, the land sits in a dip, and residents say heavy rain can turn it into a swamp within days.
To complicate matters further, the estate isn’t technically in the Cotswolds, despite being advertised that way.
Instead, it sits just outside the boundary, in a quiet hamlet called Wigginton, a stone’s throw from the celebrity haven of Soho House—frequented by the Beckhams and other A-listers.
The Talk of the Village
When the Daily Mail visited, locals admitted that Beyoncé and Jay-Z were the only thing anyone could talk about.
“The word is it’s all signed, and the money’s in the bank,” one resident said.
Another joked that while the pair might enjoy the countryside, they could also find it “a little boring”—noting the absence of pubs or shops, just two churches and a book swap in the old bus stop.
Some residents confessed they hadn’t even heard of the superstar couple, though their children had happily introduced them to Beyoncé’s catchy tunes.
Charm and Concerns
The village itself is undeniably picturesque—think thatched roofs, flower boxes, and cottages with names like The Old Forge.
Even the hall carries an inscription from a bygone age: “Feed my lambs.” But beneath the chocolate-box charm lies tension.
Planning permission for the property, approved in 2022, reportedly brought locals to tears.
Many objected, saying the build would spoil the view and worsen flood risks.
The Grand Design
Plans show a striking Japanese-style house with seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a pool, a boathouse, a guest annexe, and even space for a helicopter pad.
Currently, the site is little more than a ramshackle barn beside an algae-filled lake, home to just two swans.
A survey has already flagged the area as prone to flooding, with no defences in place.
A Divided Community
Not everyone is excited about their potential new neighbours.
Some see the move as a chance for fresh energy in the village, while others resent the idea of wealthy outsiders reshaping the landscape.
As one local put it: “People with money shouldn’t just be able to plonk a house anywhere.”
Neighbours with a Mixed Reputation
The area has become popular with wealthy Americans, including Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, who also bought property nearby.
Yet the glamour of the countryside doesn’t stretch everywhere.
Just down the road, Banbury has been battling crime, deprivation, and a reputation for fly-tipping and boarded-up shops—a sharp contrast to the idyllic villages around it.
Looking Ahead
If Beyoncé and Jay-Z do make Wigginton their home, their neighbours are already joking about future appearances at the village fete.
This year’s entertainment included Morris dancers and a folk band—next year, who knows, the world’s most famous power couple might add a bit of star power to the stage.