Ellen Degeneres Faces Archaeological Hurdles At Cotswolds Estate

Dream Home Plans Under Scrutiny

Ellen DeGeneres and her partner, Portia De Rossi, are facing ancient challenges at their lavish £22m Cotswolds estate. The couple, who snagged the Kitesbridge Farm near Burford for a cool £15m back in 2024, have big plans to make this property their permanent residence. However, their ambitious vision for new horse stables is under the microscope as the site sits in an area rich with potential Roman archaeological treasures.

Their submitted planning documents reveal an aspiration to settle in the picturesque English countryside, but the West Oxfordshire District Council may have other plans. The area is peppered with historical intrigue, including a nearby Roman bridge, road, villa, and bathhouse.

History in the Way?

Ellen's team has stated, "Historic maps and aerial photographs suggest that the area of the proposed stable building has not seen previous development as part of the farm, and so, it is possible that Roman remains survive on the site." Such revelations have the local council considering extensive archaeological investigations before any green lights are given.

The Oxfordshire County Archaeological Service has recommended that Ellen ensures a "watching brief" is maintained throughout the construction, should permission be granted. This involves having an archaeologist on-site to monitor and record any historical finds uncovered during building.

Horses and Heritage

While Ellen and Portia have expressed their love for horses and the need for an equestrian facility, they may have to ride through some historical hurdles first. "One of their passions is horses, and although the building group is large, there is no provision for horses or for their training and bringing up," their representatives explained.

Ellen herself has shared, "When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn’t live without her horses. We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.” Despite a successful house renovation last year, the final verdict on their stable plans remains in limbo, with decisions delayed beyond the expected May deadline.