2 days ago
Film star's Grade II listed Georgian mansion he once bought with wage from 'terrible movie' goes on sale for £10million
The Grade II listed Georgian mansion bought by Sir Michael Caine using the wage he received from a 'terrible' movie he starred in has just gone on the market for £10million.
The Hollywood star lived in the sprawling Rectory Farm House on the banks of the River Thames in Wallington, Oxfordshire, for 15 years.
He and his wife, Shakira, carried out extensive renovations, adding a cinema room and home spa to the 'quintessentially English country house'.
Sir Michael, now 92, once admitted the revamp was funded by the reported $1million he earned for starring in Jaws: The Revenge.
He said: 'I have never seen Jaws 4, but by all accounts it was terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built and it is terrific.'
The movie, which flopped at the box office, was released while Caine was living in the Rectory Farm House.
The Alfie and Italian Job star recalled buying the property 'on the spot' after his wife fell in love with it as they drove through the gates.
He said: 'As we drove up through the gates marked 'Rectory Farmhouse', Shakira leaned over to me and whispered, 'We've got to have it!' 'We haven't even bloody seen it!' I grumbled, but deep down, I should have known better.'
The Alfie and Italian Job star sold the house in 1998 for £1.9 million before it was sold again in 2001 for £3.75 million.
The stunning property, which includes numerous features designed by the Oscar-winning actor, is on the market again for £10million.
Estate agent Savills, which is handling the sale, said: 'Michael Caine extensively added to the house and planted many of the specimen trees to be found in the grounds.
'The driveway sweeps round to the front of the house, with its impressive portico entrance.'
The 11,660 square foot main house has six bedrooms, several reception rooms, a boot room, library, two kitchens, music room and wine store.
There is even a sauna to fully switch off from the worries of life
The sitting rooms in the cottage also boasts of a fire place perfect for the cold winter evenings
The grounds also include Caine's dovecote, a two-bedroom cottage used as staff accommodation.
Nestled in 8.3 acres, the property boasts three lakes, a summer house and a boathouse with a mooring jetty accessing the River Thames.
A tennis court and croquet lawn, which were both designed and built by Caine and his wife, are sited close to the extensive vegetable garden and orchard.
Savills added: 'The hexagonal Georgian dovecote, which once housed Michael Caine's Port collection and whose shelves still bear the labels written by him, provides ample storage for wine.'
