Yours for £28,000-a-week – the ultimate staycation in 18th Century Oxfordshire stately home so desirable Liz Taylor tried to buy it on the spot
- For the first time in its history, Grade I listed Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire, can be rented out for £28k a week
- Allowing up to 16 guests, it boasts eight bedrooms, landscaped gardens, a gym, tennis courts and a cinema
- Actress Elizabeth Taylor reportedly offered to buy the property from the owner to turn it into a dance school
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An 18th Century Oxfordshire stately home which is so desirable Elizabeth Taylor once tried to buy it on the spot will soon be available for staycations for £28,000 a week.
Kirtlington Park, a Palladian mansion located close to Oxford, is privately owned by the Buxton family but will now host short stays for up to 16 guests.
According to The Times, the then owner, Christopher Buxton, was once asked by American actress Elizabeth Taylor whether he would sell her the property, offering him a night on her boat while her husband Richard Burton was away.
This stunning eight-bedroom country home in Oxfordshire is available for for staycations at a price of £28,000 a week
Country home was built for Sir James Dashwood in 1742 and has a landscape designed by English architect Capability Brown
Owners are hopeful the property will be popular among Europeans and US tourists looking to experience British heritage
She reportedly had envisioned transforming the expansive Grade I listed house into a dance school but her hopes were dashed when Christopher rejected her offer.
In 2017 Christopher’s second cousin Peter, and his wife Eleanor, inherited the property, which is the second biggest in Oxfordshire after Blenheim Palace.
While the couple anticipate the property will be popular with staycationers, they also believe it will appeal to people in Europe and the US who want to soak in British heritage and culture.
The remarkable country home was built by politician Sir James Dashwood in 1742 and has a landscape designed by English landscape architect Capability Brown.
While the home has been available for weddings and conferences, this is the first time it is available for rent to the public
Elizabeth Taylor reportedly offered to buy the estate from the owner to turn it into a dance school but her offer was rejected
A listing with estate agents Hamptons reads: ‘Guests will enjoy the exclusive use of this incredible house which includes the State Rooms, the Monkey Room and Library, with eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms.’
Guests are encouraged to take in the countryside surrounding the property, including nearby woodlands and walking trails.
The grounds are also said to ‘lend themselves perfectly to’ a game of croquet or badminton, weather permitting.
If the great outdoors is not enough to keep the guests entertained, there is also a tennis court, gym and cinema room included in the £28k-a-week price tag.
The home features eight large bedrooms as well as a library, multiple state rooms and a home cinema and games room
This is the first time the privately-owned home, with impressive views of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been let out to the public – previously only playing host to weddings and conferences.
But couple have said they will ensure everyone who wishes to stay at the property will be vetted.
Those hoping to rent out the home will only be allowed to stay for a maximum of two weeks.
Guests can enquire about the extensive list of services available, which are reported to include housekeeping, on-site cooks, polo lessons or a musical performance from the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra.