Everything changed in November 2024. For years, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were the unofficial queens of Montecito real estate, flipping California mansions like they were pancakes. But then, the 2024 U.S. election happened. Suddenly, the headlines weren't about a new beach house in Santa Barbara, but about a total relocation to the English countryside.
Ellen DeGeneres new home is not just one house; it has been a whirlwind of two distinct Cotswolds properties in less than a year.
It's actually kind of wild when you look at the timeline. They didn't just move; they fled. Or at least, that’s how it felt to the public when news broke that they were ditching the States for good. Ellen later confirmed to British broadcaster Richard Bacon that the election of Donald Trump was the "push factor." They woke up to a flurry of crying emojis from friends and decided right then and there: they weren't coming back.
From Kitesbridge Farm to a Hilltop Glass Mansion
When they first landed in the UK, they settled into a place called Kitesbridge Farm. This was your classic, 1700s-style Cotswold stone farmhouse. It had 43 acres of land, a "party barn" with its own pub, and plenty of that rustic charm you see in The Holiday.
But if you know Ellen, you know she doesn't do "rustic" for long without a massive renovation.
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She hired about 70 workers. They worked around the clock for ten weeks to finish a renovation that should have taken 18 months. They spent roughly $9 million on the upgrades. And then? They lived there for about a month.
Basically, they realized it wasn't quite right. Portia needed more space for her horses, and the traditional stone vibe didn't match Ellen's love for mid-century modern aesthetics. So, they listed Kitesbridge Farm for $30 million—a significant jump from the $20 million they paid—and moved into their current residence.
The New Oxford Residence: Glass Walls and Japanese Gardens
Their "actual" new home is a much more modern affair. Located on a hilltop on the edge of a village in Oxfordshire (still within the Cotswolds region), this place is an 11,000-square-foot minimalist masterpiece.
It’s a far cry from a traditional cottage. We’re talking:
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- Massive floor-to-ceiling glass walls that literally bring the sheep into the living room.
- A central Japanese-style courtyard garden.
- Polished concrete floors and industrial-luxe finishes.
- 100 acres of land, which is finally enough space for Portia’s horses that they flew over from California.
Honestly, it looks more like a high-end Malibu retreat than a British farm. The house is built on the site of a former ramshackle farmyard and was designed to "redefine rural modern living." It even has a freestanding timber bathtub at the foot of the bed in one of its five bedrooms.
Why the Move Shocked Everyone
People were skeptical. Moving to England in November is... bold. The weather is famously depressing during the British winter. Storm Bert even hit the area shortly after they arrived, sparking rumors that their new house had flooded. Ellen had to take to Instagram to clarify that they were dry and happy.
There’s also the neighbor situation. They aren't exactly lonely out there. The Cotswolds is the "A-list" rural retreat of the UK. They are now neighbors with the Beckhams, Simon Cowell, and are just a short drive from Jeremy Clarkson’s famous pub, The Farmer's Dog.
But here is where it gets interesting: despite the "never coming back" talk, the real estate itch hasn't stopped.
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The $27.4 Million Plot Twist
Just as everyone got used to the idea of Ellen as a British farm girl feeding "house sheep," she went and bought another house in Montecito. In late 2024 (and reported widely in early 2026), records showed she snapped up a $27.4 million mansion from producer Brian Grazer.
Does this mean the England move was a fluke? Not necessarily. Ellen has always been a "collector" of homes. It's likely she’ll maintain the Cotswolds estate as her primary sanctuary while keeping a foot in California. You can't just turn off a house-flipping habit that has netted you a reported $190 million in profit over two decades.
Is Life in the UK Actually Better?
Ellen seems to think so. She’s gone on record saying the "way animals are treated" and the "politeness of the people" makes life in England superior for her right now. It’s a simpler pace. No paparazzi chasing her down a driveway, just the occasional escaped sheep in the kitchen.
If you’re looking to follow the Ellen DeGeneres real estate playbook or just want to understand the vibe of her new life, here are the takeaways:
- Look for privacy over prestige. Both her UK homes are tucked away at the end of long, private drives.
- Prioritize hobby space. The move from the first farmhouse to the second was almost entirely driven by the need for horse facilities.
- Don't fear the "untraditional." Her new home proves you can have a glass-and-concrete minimalist house even in a historic stone village.
- Watch the market. If Kitesbridge Farm is still on the market for $30 million, it’s a masterclass in how much "celebrity provenance" adds to a property's value.
For those interested in the actual architecture, the new hilltop home is a single-story extension project that technically pushed the boundaries of local planning laws, but was eventually cleared because the "quality of work" was so high. It’s a low-energy house supplied by an underground spring—true eco-luxury.
If you’re planning a move or a renovation, focus on "modern-rustic" elements: exposed beams paired with concrete floors, and wide-plank wood mixed with glass walls. It's the "Ellen look" that has defined luxury real estate for the last ten years, and it's officially arrived in the English countryside.