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    Mel B’s Former English Estate Just Listed for $15 Million

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    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.

    RELATED: This $6.7 Million Ultra-Modern U.K. Home Appeared in the Robert Pattinson Sci-Fi Film ‘Mickey 17’

    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.

    RELATED: This Stately Late 19th-Century English Manor House Can Now Be Yours for $4.7 Million

    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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      in Luxury

      This $8.2 Million Converted Warehouse in London Once Housed the Pet Shop Boys’ Recording Studio

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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.

      RELATED: This $33.2 Million Private Island in the U.K. Has Long Been an Under-the-Radar Creative Haven

      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.

      RELATED: Sting’s Former Home in London’s Leafy Hampstead Just Hit the Market for $16.4 Million

      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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      in Vacation Homes

      These Design-Forward Floating Homes Let You Live on the Water in Style

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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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      in Luxury

      Tim Burton’s Whimsical 18th-Century English Country Home Lists for $6 Million

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      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. 

      RELATED: Rob Zombie’s Two-House Compound in L.A. Can Be Yours for $9 Million

      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. 

      RELATED: Marvel Star Chris Evans Is Asking $7 Million for His Hollywood Hills Home

      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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      in Luxury

      £50 Million Mega Home In Surrey, England (PHOTOS)

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      Listed with Becky Fatemi of Sotheby’s International Realty LOCATION: Chestnut Lane, Chobham, Surrey, England, UK SQUARE FOOTAGE: 29,840 BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS: 13 bedrooms & 15 bathrooms PRICE: £50,000,000 This grand home is located on Chestnut Lane in Chobham, Surrey, England, UK and is situated on over 53 acres of land. It features over 29,000 square […] More

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      in Luxury

      English TV Chef Fanny Cradock’s Former U.K. Home Lists for $6.6 Million

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      Before Mary Berry and Prue Leith, there was Fanny Cradock… 

      The original grande dame of English cookery television, Cradock swept onto screens in the 1950s with theatrical flair. Draped in pearls and shoulder pads, she transformed the British kitchen into a stage—and her home into something of a set. That home, the Dower House, a Grade II-listed Georgian residence tucked into the lush edge of The Grove in Hertfordshire, is now making its return to the market for £5 million (or $6.6 million) with Knight Frank and Savills.  

      Dating back to the late 17th and 18th centuries, Dower House is no ordinary period property. In fact, it has quite a storied provenance. Cradock lived here during the height of her television fame, and Romantic composer Frederick Delius occupied it decades prior. And it was from this very kitchen that Cradock broadcast her BBC program. The kitchen remains green, as a nod to its iconic past, but the infamous 1970s tiles are gone.  

      RELATED: Herbert Hoover’s ‘White House’ in the U.K. Just Listed for $2.5 Million

      Bay windows in the kitchen offer scenic views of the mill stream.

      Ed Kingsford Photography; Knight Frank/Savills

      The home itself was extensively updated by financier David Cowham in 2013, including new oak floors and a lavish library, The Times reported. Current owner Christopher Mackenzie has since invested over $1 million, adding security gates, air conditioning, and a separate cottage, while enhancing the grounds with maples, a golden birch, and cherry trees. 

      Today, the almost 5,200-square-foot home comprises seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a suite of reception rooms. Antique French oak flooring, handcrafted cabinetry, and walnut paneling by David Salmon of Arthur Brett & Sons lend an understated sense of grandeur. The principal suite overlooks the mill stream, with a dressing room and spa-like en suite; guest suites, including one entirely refurbished in 2024, provide ample space for entertaining on a Cradock scale. 

      RELATED: Inside a $35 Million Ultra-Modern Country Estate Near Windsor Castle

      There are antique French oak floors throughout, along with several brick fireplaces.

      Ed Kingsford Photography; Knight Frank/Savills

      Beyond the interior lies over two acres of grounds bordered by the River Gade. A wooden bridge crosses the mill stream to a secondary lawn, while outbuildings—including a newly appointed studio annex, wine room, and gardener’s office—underscore the estate’s elegance.

      “Wonderfully located in a peaceful rural setting, despite being just 17 minutes from London Euston by train, the Dower House features beautiful riverside gardens with hundreds of bulbs planted by the current owner that provide vibrant color in spring and summer,” says Edward Welton, partner in the country department North Thames and Chilterns team. “This exceptional family home presents a unique opportunity to live in a wonderful location.” 

      Click here to see more photos of the U.K. estate. 

      Ed Kingsford Photography; Knight Frank/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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    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Luxury

      Herbert Hoover’s ‘White House’ in the U.K. Just Listed for $2.5 Million

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      Nearly two decades before Herbert Hoover became the 31st President of the United States in 1929, he was living outside of London, in a private residence that’s now on the market for £1.99 million (or about $2.5 million). The stately spread was, ironically enough, known as The White House.

      Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, resided at the Georgian spread in Surrey, England, in 1902 while he worked for Bewick, Moreing & Co., a London-based mining firm. According to the listing, which is held by Knight Frank, Hoover wrote in his memoirs, “My wife searched out a small country house at Walton-on-Thames.” There was also a footnote that remarked, “Curiously, it was known as The White House.” Today, the building sports a commemorative blue plaque affixed to the front wall that denotes that it was once home to the former commander-in-chief. 

      Spacious reception rooms have elegant fireplaces and rounded bay windows.

      GD Impact/Knight Frank

      The approximately 3,000-square-foot home is positioned on the south bank of the River Thames and was last sold in 2009 for £1.08 million (or $1.3 million), property records show. If the next owner is both a history buff and an architecture aficionado, they’ll be delighted to find tons of original period details remain intact, from the parapet walls to the decorative bay windows, stately fireplaces, and friezes. There’s even a bell tower on the roof. 

      Spanning two floors, the ground level is entered via an open-plan entrance hall and features four reception spaces, including drawing and dining rooms. From here, you’ll have access to a generously sized outdoor garden. Opposite the dining room sits the bespoke Tomy Howley kitchen, complete with stylish marble counters, gray cabinets, and brass hardware. Upstairs, the first floor holds all four bedrooms, including the main bedroom, which has its own bath. Each of the bedrooms is adorned with bay windows and a cozy fireplace. 

      The Tom Howley kitchen is equipped with marble counters, brass fixtures, and a cushioned bench.

      GD Impact/Knight Frank

      “The White House offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of history,” says Matthew Scott, head of sales in Knight Frank’s Weybridge office. “Georgian houses in Elmbridge are rare, and the property’s historic significance has generated a huge amount of interest from both British and American buyers.” So far this year, the U.K. has clocked several super-prime sales, including the offloading of a $47 million estate in London’s posh Belgravia district and, more recently, The Holme, once the world’s priciest home, sold for $172 million after two years on the market.  

      Click here to see more photos of the British estate.  

      GD Impact/Knight Frank

      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…

      Read More More