Idris Elba enjoys Oxfordshire farm getaway and Cotswolds trip

The actor is well known for his iconic role as Detective Chief Inspector John Luther in the BBC crime drama of the same name.

Sir Idris first came to prominence playing drug kingpin Stringer Bell in acclaimed US drama The Wire before moving on to Luther.

He has since fronted major films, including Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, in which he portrayed Nelson Mandela.

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Bull in Burford. (Image: Newsquest)

Sir Idris has also starred in big-budget blockbusters such as Thor, Pacific Rim and Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw.

On screen, he has also earned plaudits for roles in Beasts of No Nation, Star Trek Beyond and Molly’s Game, while his voice work includes hit animations Zootopia, The Jungle Book and Finding Dory.

The 53-year-old has revealed that he enjoys taking a trip to Oxfordshire with his wife, Lady Sabrina Elba, when not starring on the screen.

Among his favourite local spots is Burford’s Bull, where Sir Idris has donated his personal poker table.

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Sir Idris Elba with his wife, Lady Sabrina Elba. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA)

“When I have time off in the UK, Sabrina and I rent a beautiful house in Oxfordshire on a four-acre farm,” he told The Times.

“We bring Lola, our sheepadoodle, and I take my music, guitar and recording equipment — making music gives me the most pleasure.

“We love going for a meal at the Bull at Burford; the owner, Matthew Freud, is a friend and I’ve donated my poker table to the hotel. I haven’t played there … yet.”

Bull in Burford has quickly established itself as one of the Cotswolds’ most talked‑about boutique stays, housed in a Grade II-listed 16th‑century coaching inn on Burford High Street.

The 18-bedroom hotel has picked up major accolades since reopening, with its restaurants named among the UK’s top 100 and its Horn dining room awarded two AA Rosettes in 2024, while the property itself has been recognised with a Michelin Key.