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Listed with Knight Frank Hampstead LOCATION: The Bishops Avenue, London, England, UK SQUARE FOOTAGE: 9,854 BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS: 11 bedrooms & 11 bathrooms PRICE: £20,000,000 This stately brick home is located on The Bishops Avenue in London, England, UK. It features over 9,000 square feet of living space with 11 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, elevator, multiple […] More
When Michael Wilkinson and Tim Martin first stepped inside their duplex apartment in London‘s Earl’s Court in 2017, it wasn’t the bedrooms or even the private garden that sealed the deal. It was the murals. Hidden inside a grand reception room were hand-painted palazzo scenes framed by intricate wall paneling, a theatrical backdrop that spoke to the style-savvy couple, who had just relocated from Los Angeles.
They were especially drawn to the scale of the entertaining spaces but also to the untapped potential of the lower floor and the deep private garden. Over the next several years, Martin, an architect turned ceramicist, reconfigured the layout to create a more seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, while the garden itself was lowered to align with the bedrooms, then planted with palms, camellias, and bay trees around a symmetrical water feature, transforming it into a lush, private oasis in the middle of central London.
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The duplex marries period character with modern craftsmanship.
Keystone Photos Ltd
The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom property spans a cozy 1,530 square feet and blends period character with modern craftsmanship. The dramatic reception room remains the centerpiece, while a bespoke kitchen and dining room complete the main level. Downstairs, both bedrooms open onto a winter garden, with the primary suite featuring a polished en suite bath and generous storage.
Inside, Martin and Wilkinson infused the home with personal touches that speak to their creative partnership. Warm colors and architectural paneling harmonize the two floors, while ceramics by Martin and textiles repurposed from Wilkinson’s film projects—including fabric from Aladdin—layer the home with stories.
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Martin reimagined the lower floor to create a seamless connection to the garden.
Keystone Photos Ltd
The couple, both originally from Australia, have spent their careers crisscrossing the globe. Martin worked for three decades as an architect in Sydney, New York, and Los Angeles—including a role as senior designer at the American Museum of Natural History in New York—before shifting into ceramics. He now works from a studio at Cockpit Arts in Bloomsbury and has exhibited across Europe, the UK, and Australia.
Wilkinson, meanwhile, has built an international reputation in film and television. A graduate of Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art, he has designed costumes for more than 40 productions, from Justice League to Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge!. He received an Academy Award nomination in 2013 for American Hustle and, more recently, won an Emmy for his work on the Star Wars series Andor. Known for his meticulous research and ability to build entire worlds through fabric and silhouette, Wilkinson is considered one of the industry’s most sought-after costume designers.
Now listed with Savills for £2,395,000 (about $3.2 million), the couple’s Earl’s Court apartment offers both scale and sanctuary—qualities not easily found in central London. With work continuing to take them abroad, Wilkinson and Martin plan to remain in London but are reportedly looking toward Hampstead for their next chapter.
Click here to see more photos of the Earl’s Court home.
Keystone Photos Ltd
Authors
Abby Montanez
Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…
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Listed with Knight Frank LOCATION: Hampshire, England SQUARE FOOTAGE: 48,000 BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS: 11 bedrooms & 11 bathrooms PRICE: £58,000,000 This 1,800+ acre estate, dubbed “Laverstoke Park”, is located in Hampshire, England. It is owned by Jody Scheckter, a South African former racing driver and businessman who competed in Formula One from 1972 to 1980. The […] More
A 1,000-year-old English manor that was once a wartime headquarters—and later home to Mel B—is looking for a new owner.
Tucked away in the charming village of Little Marlow, about an hour outside London, the Manor is a Grade II-listed estate with nearly a millennium of history. Asking £11 million (roughly $15 million), the property offers a rare blend of regal pedigree, wartime significance, and pop culture flair, as well as a secret passageway or two for good measure.
Let’s start with the basics: this place is old. As in, it was first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. Over the centuries, the manor has undergone countless transformations and welcomed many big names. During World War II, the building served as HQ for the 5th Battalion of the Black Watch. It’s said that General Eisenhower and General Montgomery huddled here ahead of the D-Day landings. There’s even a hidden screen in the drawing room where they supposedly reviewed plans. And yes, Queen Elizabeth II was a guest: She reportedly inspected the troops on the very lawns that now host garden parties and tennis matches.
Fast-forward to the 1990s and the manor found itself with a new kind of icon in residence: Mel B, a.k.a. Scary Spice. She owned the home during the Spice Girls’ heyday, adding a layer of pop royalty to the estate’s already stacked résumé.
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The interior has original oak beams, Elizabethan paneling, and ornate cornicing.
Nick Ingram Photography; Savills
Today, the seven-bedroom estate is a true standout, with layers of history and personality in every room. A 17th-century oak staircase anchors the interiors, winding through grand halls and high-ceilinged living spaces. There are Jacobean fireplaces, ornate cornicing, and Georgian sash windows with original wooden shutters. The library is fitted with a secret door, the mirrored cloakroom is pure theater, and the orangery opens onto manicured lawns through three sets of French doors. Down below, the original Elizabethan cellars feature a 14-bin wine vault and a brick-lined passageway that leads to the river. (You know, just in case you ever need to make a dramatic exit.)
Upstairs, a large, balconied hall connects to the seven bedrooms. The principal suite showcases a custom-designed dressing room lined with bespoke cabinetry. (A new spa-like en suite is currently in the works.) A set of steps leads to the bedroom itself, where full-height wardrobes provide extra storage space. Two additional rooms share a sleek Jack-and-Jill shower room, while four more have en suite baths. On the top floor, two more bedrooms and a playroom offer flexible space, giving owners the potential to reconfigure or expand.
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A vaulted spa complex with a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, and treatment rooms.
Nick Ingram Photography; Savills
But it’s not all dusty grandeur. The current owners, who’ve lived here for 25 years, added a luxe spa complex with a full-size pool, gym, sauna, steam room, and treatment rooms all under one dramatic vaulted ceiling. And then there’s the mirrored cloakroom: a bathroom covered in mirrors, with two facing toilets, disco balls, and a vibe that’s pure Studio 54.
Outside, the grounds span nearly nine acres and include a bridge to a private island, a Victorian greenhouse, an orchard with 120-year-old pear trees, formal English gardens, and even a private gate to the local church. There’s also a separate two-bedroom lodge on-site, plus garages for seven cars.
“This is one of the most spectacular country houses I have been fortunate enough to see,” says Victoria Knight, property agent with Savills. “It’s incredibly rare in this area to have a Manor House set so centrally within a village and still offer privacy.”
Click here to see more photos of Mel B’s former home.
Nick Ingram Photography; Savills
Authors
Abby Montanez
Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…
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Back in the ’80s, it was synths, stardom, and studio sessions for the Pet Shop Boys at this Clerkenwell warehouse that once echoed with the beats of West End Girls. Today, the building is hitting a different kind of high note as a three-story, design-forward live-work space listed for £6 million (about $8.2 million) with Savills.
It was home to the artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson, who rented the ground-floor studio space to the six-time Grammy-nominated duo while she lived upstairs. The keys were eventually shared with her husband, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the Avengers: Age of Ultron and Kick-Ass star who—drumroll, martinis please—is reportedly the frontrunner to star as Agent 007 in the next James Bond movie.
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The 60-foot-long great room is framed by exposed wood beams and Crittall steel windows and doors.
Daisy Powles/Savills
Following their tenure, the couple sold the home to film director Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement) and Grammy-nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar. They called in architect Charles Tashima for a top-to-bottom renovation that respected the rustic bones of the Victorian warehouse while adding flourishes that feel very contemporary. Think Moroccan tiles, reclaimed wood, and limestone salvaged from Heathrow Terminal 2, The London Standard reported.
The overall result is a seriously stylish 4,414-square-foot bohemian sanctuary hidden in plain sight, just minutes from the Barbican and, of course, the West End. Behind the original wagon doors (a nod to its 19th-century life as part of the Whitbread Brewery complex), you’ll find a private courtyard and a nearly 60-foot-long living/dining room framed by exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling Crittall windows. Capping it off is a rooftop terrace.
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Frosted window panes add privacy to the airy primary bedroom.
Daisy Powles/Savills
On the ground floor, the Pet Shop Boys’ former studio is still fully soundproofed but is currently used as a commercial space, though you could easily turn it back into a creative suite if the musical mood strikes. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and plenty of tucked-away surprises, including a laundry space hidden behind oak paneling and a reading nook that could be converted to a fourth bedroom.
The current owners, a tech entrepreneur and a publisher, have added their own twists, including deep orange rubber flooring in the entry hall and a bespoke kitchen built for entertaining. The property is freehold (meaning the land beneath the structure is owned) and zoned for mixed use, giving you flexibility whether you’re composing synth-pop bangers, plotting the next indie film, prepping for a screen test as Britain’s favorite spy, or just relaxing with friends and family. And while it may no longer double as a recording studio, rest assured—it’s still Bond-level discreet.
Click here to see more photos of the boho London loft.
Daisy Powles/Savills
Authors
Abby Montanez
Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…
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The classic houseboat has been given a rather chic makeover across the pond.
A series of luxury floating homes, set along a crystal-clear freshwater lake in the U.K., have just popped onto the market with moorings available in Silverlake, a secluded vacation retreat nestled in Dorset. The 10 houseboats, brought to life by Koto design firm and developer Habitat First Group, allow you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing creature comforts.
There are a few types of Koto’s floating homes up for grabs: Uku, an about 215-square-foot one-bedroom pad designed for short-term visits, and Shio, a nearly 510-square-foot two-bedroom oasis geared toward longer stays. There’s also a larger version of the Uku that measures just under 270 square feet, if you want a little more space.
The deck is the perfect perch to connect with nature.
Koto
A cut above traditional houseboats, Koto’s design-forward structures strike a perfect balance between form and function. The decidedly modern interiors are fitted with large windows, so you can take in the surrounding landscape. The open-plan living quarters also feature engineered timber floors and plastered white walls, resulting in an understated elegance throughout. All of the furniture and accessories are sourced from companies in the U.K. that use natural materials. The kitchen and the bathroom can be bespoke, too: in the washroom, for example, you can opt for a freestanding tub, an integrated bath with an overhead shower, or just a shower alone.
Each home is equipped with a partially covered deck, meaning you can relax and unwind amid Mother Nature all year round. And if you really want to up the ante, you can choose to upgrade your pad with a sauna, a hot tub, or a solar battery.
Silverlake has plenty of amenities for you to enjoy, too, including tennis courts, forest playgrounds, and a games area. Even better, the Silverlake Lido and Clubhouse will join the fray in 2026. The new spot will include a restaurant called Firefly, an outdoor heated pool, and a spa with hot tubs and treatment rooms.
A glimpse inside the floating home’s living room.
Koto
“We’ve created these houseboats to feel modern and luxurious, yet deeply rooted in place, peaceful spaces that foster a slower pace of life and a closer connection to nature,” Johnathon Little, Koto’s cofounder, said in a statement. “We’re delighted to bring them to life at Silverlake, an ecologically vibrant setting in Dorset that reflects our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment.”
The best part is Koto’s floating homes are a bargain. The Uku starts at around a modest $196,000 (£145,000). Once you inquire about the property, the team will set out to build your abode. The first owners are expected to move in in 2026. That’s your next holiday home sorted, then.
Authors
Nicole Hoey
Digital Editor
Nicole Hoey is Robb Report’s digital editor. While studying at Boston University, she read, wrote and read some more as an English and journalism major. A class taught by a Boston Globe copy editor…
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Published on June 10, 2025
Alison Cohen Rosa/HBO More
Tim Burton, the visionary director behind Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Netflix’s Wednesday, is parting ways with his thoroughly cinematic English country retreat. The 18th-century Grade II-listed Mill House in Oxfordshire has hit the market for £4.5 million (approximately $6 million) listed with Savills.
Set on 17 lush acres along a peaceful stretch of the River Thames, the 6,000-square-foot estate is quintessentially British—with a whimsical twist that’s pure Burton. Originally purchased in 2006 for £2.9 million with then-partner Helena Bonham Carter, the home has long served as a tranquil creative refuge. The couple separated in 2014, but the property has remained part of Burton’s collection of residences in the U.K. and U.S.
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The home’s original charm shows in its grand windows, ornate fireplaces, and detailed woodwork.
The Aspect Creative Ltd; Savills
Built in 1741 as the foreman’s residence for Sutton Mill—a once-prominent paper mill that produced the Bank of England’s earliest hard-to-forge banknotes—the property is now the last surviving remnant of the site. It was later acquired by British Prime Minister H.H. Asquith in the early 20th century to serve as a guest house for his country estate. Though the mill and its towering chimney are long gone, the house remains—gracious, elegant, and full of period charm.
Steeped in history, Mill House includes formal rose gardens, ancient trees, woodland paths, and a trio of islands connected by wooden and rope bridges. There’s even a jetty overlooking a lily-covered mill pond and a secluded summerhouse hidden among the trees—ideal for a quiet read or sketchbook session, à la Burton himself.
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Wooden and rope bridges cross streams and tributaries on their way to the Thames.
The Aspect Creative Ltd; Savills
Inside, the house is a celebration of Georgian symmetry and craftsmanship. Think: full-height sash windows, intricate cornicing, wood-paneled walls, and carved marble fireplaces. The drawing room—spanning front to back—features views of the lawns and ancient cedars, while a cozy study, dining room, and sitting room round out the reception spaces. The kitchen, with its classic Aga and painted wood cabinetry, is charmingly rustic, yet highly functional, with a walk-in pantry, utility room, and even a Chubb walk-in safe.
Upstairs, the principal suite spans the depth of the house and comes with its own dressing room or nursery. Seven other bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a top-floor teen retreat ensure there’s space for guests, family, or an entire film crew.
“Mill House is the quintessential English country home,” says Hugh Maconochie of Savills, “with magical grounds that promise a lifestyle straight out of Swallows and Amazons.”
Enchanting, indeed.
Click here to see more photos of Mill House.
The Aspect Creative Ltd; Savills
Authors
Abby Montanez
Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…
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