Director Tim Burton Lists His 18th-Century English Country Home for £4.5M

The Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands director is parting with his former English country home: a Georgian-era mill house in Oxfordshire now on the market for £4.5 million with Savills.

Tucked away behind mature trees and high brick walls in the village of Sutton Courtenay, the 1741-built property sits on 17 acres along a serene stretch of the River Thames—and carries with it an unexpected mix of cinematic provenance and historical depth.

Burton purchased Mill House in 2006 with then-partner Helena Bonham Carter. Though the couple separated in 2014, the home remained part of Burton’s U.K. collection, serving as a tranquil retreat far from the surrealism of Hollywood.

The property’s history stretches back nearly three centuries. Built in 1741 as the foreman’s residence for Sutton Mill, it once stood at the heart of a nationally significant site—one tasked by the Bank of England with producing secure, hard-to-forge banknote paper in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Though the mill closed by the end of the 19th century, Mill House remained, its quiet dignity preserved. In 1917, it was acquired by Prime Minister H.H. Asquith as part of his growing estate in Sutton Courtenay, where he spent his final years and signed the declaration that led Britain into World War I. The house was updated under the supervision of noted architect Walter Cave and used to host members of his inner circle—adding a layer of political and architectural legacy to its already storied foundations.

Today, Mill House retains its graceful Georgian layout and architectural features—full-height sash windows, intricate plasterwork, carved marble fireplaces, and richly paneled walls. The nearly 6,000-square-foot layout includes a drawing room spanning the depth of the house, a book-lined study, and a classic country kitchen with a four-door Aga and a Chubb walk-in safe. A utility wing, boot room, and secondary staircase reinforce its country-house credentials.

Upstairs, the principal suite includes a private entrance lobby, dressing room or nursery, and a large en suite bath. There are seven additional bedrooms, including a separate guest suite and a top-floor retreat ideal for teens or live-in staff.

The grounds are exceptional. A lily-covered mill pond leads to a wooden jetty and pergola walk. There are three private islands connected by rope and wooden bridges, an octagonal summerhouse tucked into the woods, and a network of winding paths under weeping willows and ancient trees—including endangered dawn redwoods and an avenue of yews. The formal gardens feature a rose parterre, croquet lawn, and secluded courtyard for entertaining.

Though the original mill and chimney are long gone, Mill House remains the last architectural link to one of Britain’s early industrial landmarks—and now, to one of modern cinema’s most distinctive auteurs.

All photos belong to the listing agency.