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Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen gives away stunning estate and says it's 'going badly'
TV presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has given his Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law as he lives with his entire family in one huge home. TV star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has embarked on a family venture by handing over his Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law, coining it "Chateau LLB" and uniting the family under one grand roof. Yet, the 60 year old presenter, renowned for his role in BBC's hit show Changing Rooms during the 90s, amusingly admits his "retirement is going very badly' due to this change. Boasting a fortune worth £8 million, the doting dad is keen to ensure the future of his thriving enterprise is with his daughters Hermione and Cecile. The flamboyant grandfather affectionately refers to his estate planning as "commonwealth." Donning a distinctive floral print linen suit paired with sunglasses, Laurence explained: "We've worked very hard to make the life we want. After thirty years on television, I've worked very hard to get here. With things now like us all living together and how we've split the house up, which everyone is so intrigued about, that's a decision. "And it is a straightforward decision as far as I'm concerned. It's sharing resources with the next generation - we call it commonwealth - to me it is a very ordinary thing to do." Now enjoying the lush life at his sprawling residence, Laurence spends his days with his spouse Jackie, also aged 60, their daughter Hermione, 27, and her young children Romily, two, and Eleanora, aged one. Meanwhile, just a stone's throw across the green, Cecile, 30, resides with her husband Dan and their two youngsters Albion, eight, and three year old Demelza, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. Laurence has divulged that he had to assure his lawyer that his sons-in-law were not influencing him in handing over his estate. He shared: "My son's in law, they're at the beginning of their career, they're starting to do well and that's the point, this is an opportunity for them. "It is my sons-in-law that are rising and it gives me an opportunity to quieten down." Despite contemplating stepping back, Laurence is reinvigorated by the reinvention of 11 Bibury into a new community hub, eatery, and shop nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds. He's excited about transforming what was once a rundown post office, which he considers a pinnacle achievement in his career. However, he quips that his plans for retirement seem to be faltering: "That doesn't seem to be happening mind you - my retirement is going very badly," he said with a laugh. Known for his frankness on creating the life he desires, Laurence spoke of 'manifesting' as more than just a buzz word: "I do talk a lot of b******. I know this has become a real buzz word - for me 'manifest' just means you make - you just line your ducks up to make the life you want. ". The restoration of 11 Bibury is spearheaded by Lady Anne Evans, who envisions the project as a welcoming space for everyone. Together with Laurence, they offer it as an alternative to the likes of Soho Farmhouse, nearby neighbours to the Beckham residence in Chipping Norton. Laurence didn't hold back in critiquing the elite retreat, dismissing Soho Farmhouse as "patronising". In his view, the establishment presents a facade of country aesthetics—"a metro design with a thin veneer of countryside and a couple of wellington boots thrown about." He expanded on his work, expressing: "This is kind of my legacy - as well as the fact that Hermione is now running the business." Discussing his teamwork with Lady Anne, he shared: "I've never had the opportunity to let rip before meeting this creature, so she's completely ruined me for all other clients." Contemplating what he'll be known for, he reflected: "There is that game that you start playing when you get to 60 which is asking yourself 'what would I like to be remembered for?' And I'm immensely proud of the reach and scope of Changing Rooms - that changed so many lives but if there's one design scheme just taken on its merits - it would definitely be this." The design choice at 11 Bibury exudes a relaxed vibe reminiscent of the South of France rather than the Cotswolds, something Laurence acknowledges was deliberate. His nod to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement in the decorations is subtly elegant. Elucidating further about his aim, he asserted: "I want people to walk away from 11 Bibury and not feel patronised - I want them to leave and google William Morris - I want them to be inspired by the Cotswolds and not just feel they've been sold a cup of coffee, a tea towel and some fudge, patted on the head and moved on." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! 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Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen gives away £8m estate and admits it's 'going very badly'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the iconic face from BBC's hit 90s show Changing Rooms, has taken a significant step by handing over his Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law, uniting the family at what he affectionately calls "Chateau LLB". Despite his success, the 60 year old admits that his attempt at retirement is proving quite troublesome. With an impressive net worth of £8 million, Laurence plans to pass on his thriving business to his daughters Hermione and Cecile, a move he whimsically terms as "commonwealth." Dressed in his signature style with a floral linen suit and sunglasses, Laurence shared: "We've worked very hard to make the life we want. After thirty years on television, I've worked very hard to get here. With things now like us all living together and how we've split the house up, which everyone is so intrigued about, that's a decision. "And it is a straightforward decision as far as I'm concerned. It's sharing resources with the next generation - we call it commonwealth - to me it is a very ordinary thing to do." The stylish grandad enjoys his days at the expansive estate with his wife Jackie, also 60, and their daughter Hermione, 27, her children Romily, two, and Eleanora, one. Close by, Cecile, 30, resides with her husband Dan and their little ones Albion, eight, and Demelza, three, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, reports the Mirror. Laurence opened up about having to assure his lawyer that he wasn't being influenced by his sons-in-law to hand over his estate. He shared: "My son's in law, they're at the beginning of their career, they're starting to do well and that's the point, this is an opportunity for them. "It is my sons-in-law that are rising and it gives me an opportunity to quieten down." Despite planning to take a step back, Laurence has been invigorated by the project to transform a run-down post office into 11 Bibury, a new community hub, eatery, and shop in the picturesque Cotswolds village, which he describes as a career highlight. "That doesn't seem to be happening mind you - my retirement is going very badly," he quipped. Laurence has spoken candidly about his approach to creating the life he desires, explaining his interpretation of 'manifesting': "I do talk a lot of b******. I know this has become a real buzz word - for me 'manifest' just means you make - you just line your ducks up to make the life you want. ". The renovation of 11 Bibury is overseen by Lady Anne Evans, who envisions the venue as welcoming and "inclusive". Together with Laurence, they offer it as an alternative to Soho Farmhouse, near the Beckhams' Chipping Norton home. Criticising the exclusive members' club, Laurence called it "patronising" and mocked its attempt at rural charm, which he sees as merely "a metro design with a thin veneer of countryside and a couple of wellington boots thrown about." He reflected on his contribution to design, stating: "This is kind of my legacy - as well as the fact that Hermione is now running the business." Discussing his venture with Lady Anne, he remarked: "I've never had the opportunity to let rip before meeting this creature, so she's completely ruined me for all other clients." Touching on what he hopes to be remembered for, he commented: "There is that game that you start playing when you get to 60 which is asking yourself 'what would I like to be remembered for?' And I'm immensely proud of the reach and scope of Changing Rooms - that changed so many lives but if there's one design scheme just taken on its merits - it would definitely be this." Laurence admits that the chic simplicity and calm palette of 11 Bibury are designed to evoke the laid-back elegance of the South of France rather than the traditional Cotswolds vibe. An homage to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement is artfully woven into the fabric of the place. Elaborating on his approach, he asserted: "I want people to walk away from 11 Bibury and not feel patronised - I want them to leave and google William Morris - I want them to be empowered by the Cotswolds and not just feel they've been sold a cup of coffee, a tea towel and some fudge, patted on the head and moved on."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen gives away estate and admits it's 'going very badly'
Changing Rooms star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, 60, has handed over his sprawling Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law and invited the whole family to live in "Chateau LLB" Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has taken the big step of passing his Cotswolds estate over to his sons-in-law, bringing the entire family together under one roof at what he dubs "Chateau LLB". However, the 60-year-old TV personality, made famous by BBC's 90s favourite Changing Rooms, confesses that his "retirement is going very badly" as a result. With a net worth of £8million, the father-of-two has his sights set on handing his flourishing business down to his daughters Hermione and Cecile. The delightfully eccentric grandad labels this move as "commonwealth." Outfitted in a floral print linen suit complemented with sunglasses, Laurence said: "We've worked very hard to make the life we want. After thirty years on television, I've worked very hard to get here. With things now like us all living together and how we've split the house up, which everyone is so intrigued about, that's a decision. "And it is a straightforward decision as far as I'm concerned. It's sharing resources with the next generation - we call it commonwealth - to me it is a very ordinary thing to do." The design maven now savours life on his expansive property with his wife, Jackie, 60, alongside Hermione, now 27, her little ones Romily, two, and one year old Eleanora. Just beyond their verdant lawn, Cecile, aged 30, has made a home with her husband Dan and their young brood Albion, eight, and Demelza, three, reports the Manchester Evening News. Laurence disclosed that he had to convince his lawyer he wasn't being pushed by his sons-in-law to pass on his estate. He revealed: "My son's in law, they're at the beginning of their career, they're starting to do well and that's the point, this is an opportunity for them. "It is my sons-in-law that are rising and it gives me an opportunity to quieten down." Yet with the revamp of 11 Bibury, a new community hub, eatery, and shop in the idyllic Cotswolds village, an undertaking he calls a high point of his professional life, Laurence finds himself energised by the transformation of a dilapidated post office. "That doesn't seem to be happening mind you - my retirement is going very badly," he joked. Laurence has been open about "manifesting" the life he aims for. Addressing his belief in the concept of manifestation he remarked: "I do talk a lot of b******. I know this has become a real buzz word - for me 'manifest' just means you make - you just line your ducks up to make the life you want. ". The refurbishment of 11 Bibury is guided by Lady Anne Evans, who champions it as an "inclusive" establishment. She and Laurence present it as a counter to Soho Farmhouse, neighbours to the Beckham estate in Chipping Norton. Laurence took a swipe at the upscale members' club, labelling it "patronising", and critiqued its superficial rural aesthetics adorned with "a metro design with a thin veneer of countryside and a couple of wellington boots thrown about." He elaborated: "This is kind of my legacy - as well as the fact that Hermione is now running the business." Speaking about his collaboration with Lady Anne, he said: "I've never had the opportunity to let rip before meeting this creature, so she's completely ruined me for all other clients." He mused on his legacy, said: "There is that game that you start playing when you get to 60 which is asking yourself 'what would I like to be remembered for?' And I'm immensely proud of the reach and scope of Changing Rooms - that changed so many lives but if there's one design scheme just taken on its merits - it would definitely be this." The chic simplicity and subdued tones of 11 Bibury evoke a sensation more akin to the South of France than the Cotswolds, a creative choice Laurence admits is intentional. The tribute to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement within the design is gracefully understated. Further explaining his vision, he declared: "I want people to walk away from 11 Bibury and not feel patronised - I want them to leave and google William Morris - I want them to be empowered by the Cotswolds and not just feel they've been sold a cup of coffee, a tea towel and some fudge, patted on the head and moved on."
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen hands over Cotswolds estate amid 'end of life crisis'
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen hands over Cotswolds estate amid 'end of life crisis' Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has announced that he has handed over the ownership of his Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen shared his "life-threatening" experience in his Sunday Times column (Image: Mike Marsland, Mike Marsland/WireImagevia Getty Images ) TV personality and design guru Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has passed on the ownership of his Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law, following his struggle with a life-threatening experience. In January, the 60-year-old design icon opened up about an "end of life crisis" he endured after a chilling encounter while filming for Netflix's Celebrity Bear Hunt, presented by Holly Willoughby and Bear Grylls, which saw him lose consciousness during an aquatic stunt. With his future in mind, the famed Changing Rooms presenter is "no longer lord of the manor" at the Cotswolds home, where he lives in the main house alongside his wife, Jackie, who is also 60, their daughter Hermione, aged 27, and her partner. His older daughter Cecile, 30, resides a stone's throw away within the estate with her husband and two children. During the process of transferring ownership, Laurence had a humorous time detailing to solicitors the nature of his decision: "One of the most amusing things was having to sit down with a solicitor for them to assess whether Jackie and I were being coerced into this by our bullying sons-in-law. Our friends just can't believe it. They go, 'what happens if you all fall out?'". Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen's grand country home in the Cotswolds (Image: llewelynbowen/Instagram ) Laurence, who boasts a net worth of £8 million, shared in the Sunday Times his disinterest in accumulating wealth for its own sake: "We're not going to be those old people sitting on a great big pile of cash. Terribly unhappy, terribly lonely," reports the Manchester Evening News. Article continues below He added: "Owning a lot of stuff but not actually having the benefit of it. We are very, very privileged, but we have made this decision. We have manifested this life." He went on to disclose a surprising detail about his family's property arrangements, with Hermione saying: "Hilariously, Cecile and I aren't on the deeds, because we inherit it anyway - it's actually the husbands.'" Discussing a harrowing experience on Bear Grylls' Celebrity Bear Hunt that aired in February, Laurence opened up about the frightening moment he faced during the filming. While participating in a water challenge in Costa Rica, the then-59 year old interior designer got entangled in a bungee line and was dragged beneath the boat, staying submerged for a terrifying length of time until the show's safety crew pulled him out unconscious. Prior to joining the extreme reality show, he revealed his wife's opinion on the matter: "She feels it's got midlife crisis written all over it, although, as I keep telling her, I'm too old to have a midlife crisis, this is more like an end of life crisis." Expressing his wife's envy towards his adventure, he said: "She's actually, frankly, incredibly jealous. She would love to do it and has always been mildly irritated that no one's ever asked her to do something like this." He also mentioned his wife's readiness for emergencies, noting: "Because she literally has always had in her handbag, a SAS Survival Guide, to get herself out of all sorts. I meant to bring it actually and again, how foolishly, I completely forgot." The Mail reports that Laurence invited his family to stay at his spacious Cotswolds estate after he and wife Jackie realised the house was too large just for the two of them, remarking they "were rattling around the house like dried peas in a luxury tin". As the house filled with family life, the star reflected on the changes, sharing: "We certainly aren't sliding into our sixtieth year with boredom calling. We want to use our time wisely and valuably. The way you design your world helps the way you feel. "We have our big manor house filled with children and pieces of brightly coloured plastic and Peppa Pig again." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Article continues below Laurence then mused about embracing this phase of life, adding: "I think its something that more and more people should be doing, for us boomers generation we're all sort of surprised we've made it to 60. "I think everyone thought we would live fast and die young rather than live very, very slowly and die really quite old."
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's 'end of life crisis' before giving up lavish home
The incident occurred whilst filming for Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt. Iconic interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen signed over his Cotswolds estate to his two sons-in-law following a horrific near-death experience during the production of a popular Netflix series. The Changing Rooms star, 60, said at the start of the year that he was struggling with an "end of life crisis" after he was involved in a horror incident while filming Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt. Laurence lost consciousness whilst in the water and was dragged under a boat, leaving him shaken, writes The Mirror. Speaking of the terrifying incident, Laurence said: "In my head, I was some kind of Marvel superhero. Actually, by the time I got to the raft that I was supposed to swim to, it dawned on me quite quickly, I'm actually Granddaddy Pig and getting onto the raft was never going to happen. I got stuck under the raft. I got tangled up in some equipment and stuff and that's when the drowning thing kind of happened. "But I managed to free myself. I should have stopped at that point and just sort of gathered myself but actually, no, I was then throwing myself into the challenge and then I started blacking out and suddenly, I've got Bear on top of me." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Laurence believed he was suffering a heart attack as he shared: "It wasn't a pleasant experience at all. I mean, it really, really wasn't. I was blacking out. I thought I was having a heart attack. "And having then been pumped full of, I think it's about three canisters of oxygen, which is wonderful stuff by the it was a very solitary thing. I always felt that I was quite physically resilient. I have regular medicals. I'm perceived as being reasonably fit for what I am but it did feel slightly like a moment of failure." Speaking about taking part in the Netflix show, Laurence joked that his wife said he was having a "mid-life crisis". He confessed: "She feels it's got midlife crisis written all over it, although, as I keep telling her, I'm too old to have a midlife crisis, this is more like an end of life crisis. "She's actually, frankly, incredibly jealous. She would love to do it and has always been mildly irritated that no one's ever asked her to do something like this." Just months after his incident on the show, Laurence, who has an estimated net worth of £8 million, confirmed that he no longer owns his sprawling Cotswold abode where he resides with his family. He told The Sunday Times: "I'm no longer lord of the manor." Sharing the reason behind signing over two-thirds of the Cotswold abode, Laurence added: "We're not going to be those old people sitting on a great big pile of cash. Terribly unhappy, terribly lonely. "Owning a lot of stuff but not actually having the benefit of it. We are very, very privileged, but we have made this decision. We have manifested this life." The TV star and design guru lives in the main house with his wife Jackie, 60, along with their youngest daughter Hermione, 27, her husband, Drew, 28, and their children Romilly, two, and Eleanora, 18 months. Their eldest daughter, Cecile, 30, resides in the converted garage on the same grounds with her husband, Dan, 30, and their children Albion, eight, and Demelza, three. "Hilariously, Cecile and I aren't on the deeds, because we inherit it anyway - it's actually the husbands," Hermione revealed.
