The Nuneham Estate can be found near Oxford and Abingdon and is one of Oxfordshire’s most distinctive and historically significant country estates.

It has now been listed on the open market with Bidwells at a guide price of £26,500,000.

It was begun in 1756 for Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt, on land his family had acquired in the early 18th century, replacing an earlier house and the original village, which were cleared away to make room for the new estate.

READ MORE: ‘Beautiful and brave’ Oxford mum-of-three dies aged 43

Architect Stiff Leadbetter designed the main house, while interiors were developed with input from James “Athenian” Stuart.

The surrounding landscape was later reshaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, who created sweeping parkland walks and planted screening between the house and the river.

The estate remained in the Harcourt family’s hands for generations and became known for its pleasure grounds and horticultural experiments.

Successive owners then adapted both the building and gardens in line with changing fashions.

During the Second World War, the property was requisitioned by the RAF for photographic reconnaissance work.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson wins fight to cut down tree at £3.8m Oxfordshire manor

The Nuneham Estate in Oxfordshire. (Image: Bidwells)

The Harcourts then sold the wider Nuneham estate to the University of Oxford in the post‑war period.

In more recent decades, Nuneham House has been used as a hall of residence, a conference centre and, under lease to the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, as the Global Retreat Centre, while its historic house and gardens have been recognised with Grade II listing.

According to IMDB, it served as the key filming location for the Lewis episode titled Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things.

In the story, the estate serves as the fictional Lady Matilda’s College, which is preparing for a reunion of its first female-only graduating class.

The exact same mansion was used as a filming location for the prequel series Endeavour, in the episode Arcadia, where it stood in as a commune.

READ MORE: Serious rush hour crash sparks standstill delays on A34

The Nuneham Estate in Oxfordshire. (Image: Bidwells)

Extending to 1,054 acres (426 hectares) and positioned just five miles from central Oxford, the estate represents a “rare generational opportunity” for private buyers, institutions and long‑term investors, according to Bidwells.

Situated at Nuneham Courtenay, the estate combines productive arable land and an extensive residential and commercial portfolio.

It also has a newly developed holiday‑let enterprise and a collection of important heritage assets, including the Grade II listed Nuneham House, Mansion Lodge and Boat House.

The Estate includes 810 acres of arable land, 176 acres of pasture, parkland and woodland, a portfolio of 27 residential properties, a 10‑unit holiday‑let business, and a range of commercial premises, workshops and agricultural buildings.

The freehold of Nuneham House and its associated buildings sits within 40 acres of parkland and is held on a long‑term FRI lease.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire country pub to reopen this month after three years closed

The Nuneham Estate in Oxfordshire. (Image: Bidwells)

In addition to its existing income streams, which currently generate approximately £400,000 per annum, the estate holds significant underlying mineral reserves.

This is estimated at around four million tonnes of sand and gravel, subject to planning.

Further opportunities for value creation include renewable energy, diversification and wider estate asset management, according to Bidwells.

Ross Kent, Partner, Private Estates at Bidwells, said: “The Nuneham Estate is an exceptionally compelling offering combining scale, income, heritage and future opportunity in a location where estates of this quality rarely come to the market.

“Its proximity to Oxford, together with the diversity of its assets and income streams, will appeal to a wide range of buyers, from private investors and institutions to those seeking a landmark long‑term holding.”

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.

READ MORE: Historic £26.5m Oxfordshire riverside estate seen in ITV’s Endeavour for sale

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.

READ MORE: Hugh Laurie brutally takes down critic with savage House putdown

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.

Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, who formed Boyzlife in 2016, made their names in multi‑platinum, record‑breaking boybands Westlife and Boyzone.

Fun in the sun at Foodies Festival in Oxford (Image: Stuart Martin)

The duo will bring their hits to Oxford when they perform at Foodies Festival in South Park, which runs from August 29 to 31.

Boyzlife to perform at Oxford’s Foodies Festival (Image: Alan Keville)

Both groups were among the most successful Irish boybands of their era, with Westlife clocking up more than a dozen UK number ones and Boyzone dominating the charts earlier in the decade.

They will share the stage with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates and his “Boyband in the Park” show, plus double-platinum 90s favourites B*Witched.

Tasty treats in the Cake and Desserts Theatre at Foodies Festival in Oxford (Image: PAUL GIBSON)

Now in its 21st year, Foodies Festival will also serve up a strong line-up of TV chefs and bakers, including MasterChef 2025 champion Harry Maguire. Other talents include Andrew Carr from The Yurt, in Bicester, and Mark Peregrine, director of the Raymond Blanc Cooker School in Great Milton.

READ MORE: River Thames pub re-welcomes customers after major refurbishment

Pineapple cocktails (Image: Stuart Martin)

Visitors will be immersed in a food and drink haven, with live theatres: Chefs cook signature dishes using local produce, while bakers create desserts; competitions heat up with chilli and hot wings challenges; masterclasses cover drinks; children enjoy activities; and markets offer street food and artisan treats throughout the festival.

Ready, steady cook, new for 2026, will see Master Chef and Great British Menu go head-to-head