Inside English village where Judi Dench’s faulty £8m home collapsing and overrun with mice
Dame Judi Dench has enjoyed roaring success over a career spanning eight decades, both on stage and camera. She has relished the comforts of a charming farmhouse in Surrey since acquiring the property nearly four decades ago alongside her late husband, Michael Williams, who died from lung cancer in 2001. Her mansion is nestled among the rolling hills of the Surrey countryside, just outside the city of London. The surrounding village of Outwood is inhabited by no more than 720 inhabitants, making it an ideal retreat from the noisy city. Judi has spoken fondly of her property and ambition to rewild its sprawling gardens. The property reportedly also has a barn, a pond and a swimming pool.
The 90 year old’s Surrey residence is reportedly valued at approximately £8million, though she has previously disclosed it was plagued by a mouse infestation and deteriorating structurally a few years ago. The Bond legend revealed: “The mice have moved in since lockdown and I’m battling the mice. They have moved in and taken over a bit.”
The actress disclosed this isn’t her sole worry regarding the historic property, constructed in 1497.
The estate is understood to feature “wonderful gardens” alongside a separate cottage, swimming pool, workshops, barns and a pond.
She added, “My house is falling down a bit here and there.”
However, the actress finds solace in the house’s “wonderful gardens”. The property also comes with a separate and spans an area of 7,000 square feet.
The Surrey village is also home to three pubs, meadows and farmlands.
Judi recently appeared with Louis Theroux, speaking openly about her professional journey and private life, where she disclosed how she managed to acquire the property.
During the interview with the BBC host that was broadcast in 2022, Judi revealed that a commercial for Clover soft spread enabled them to secure the house.
She explained: “Suddenly, Michael and I got a Clover butter advertisement that bought this house. It was something like 38 years ago.”
The James Bond actress confirmed the commercial was a single project rather than an ongoing brand partnership.
Following a producer’s intervention to present her with the advert, she confessed she had absolutely no memory of ever recording it.
Michael and Judi tied the knot in 1971, and their marriage lasted until his untimely death from lung cancer in 2001 at the age of 65.
