Sir Tony Blair is set to join the ranks of the world’s ultra-wealthy with the installation of a £500,000 disappearing swimming pool at his Grade I-listed Buckinghamshire mansion, marking the latest luxury addition to his multimillion-pound property portfolio.
The former Prime Minister, who once declared himself a socialist during his political career, has commissioned specialists Twinscape to install a high-tech movable floor system at Wotton House, his sprawling country estate near Aylesbury. The James Bond-style feature allows a pool floor to rise and fall at the touch of a button, effectively concealing or revealing the swimming pool beneath.
The 72-year-old former Labour leader and his wife Cherie, 70, are both keen swimmers who previously installed a £30,000 exercise pool in the rear garden of their historic home in 2008. The new half-million-pound upgrade represents a significant escalation in luxury for the couple, whose property empire now includes around 40 homes and flats worth approximately £35 million.
The extravagant pool modification is small change for the globe-trotting statesman, whose net worth is estimated to be between £60 million and £100 million, according to various analyses. Blair has amassed considerable wealth since leaving Downing Street in 2007, commanding fees of up to £200,000 for keynote speeches and establishing lucrative consulting arrangements.
Twinscape, the Ipswich-based company installing the system, describes itself as “the industry-leading pioneer behind Hydrofloors.” The technology allows owners to transform their swimming pools into usable floor space within minutes by commanding a control panel or touchscreen to raise or lower the pool floor to any desired depth.
The sophisticated system uses buoyancy tanks and hydraulics to create a seamless transformation. When raised, the floor can support substantial weight—up to 250 kilograms per square metre—allowing it to function as a dining area, dance floor, or entertainment space. The technology also provides enhanced safety features, particularly for families with young children.
According to Twinscape, Hydrofloor systems start at approximately £230,000 for basic installations, though bespoke designs for luxury properties can exceed several million pounds. The company has installed similar systems in exclusive locations including Kiawah Island in South Carolina, Portofino in Italy, and private properties in London and Suffolk.
A spokesman for Sir Tony stated: “They are modifying the indoor pool, which does not require planning permission, and changing from a manual to automatic cover.” However, sources familiar with the project confirmed the installation involves Twinscape’s signature movable floor technology.
Wotton House itself carries significant historical weight. Built in the early 1700s and rebuilt by architect Sir John Soane after a fire in the 1800s, the property has housed notable figures including historian Sir Arthur Bryant and actor Sir John Gielgud, who died there in 2000.
The Blairs purchased the seven-bedroom South Pavilion, a former coach house on the estate, for approximately £4 million in 2008. They subsequently faced criticism from local residents for “blighting” the estate with extensions, a glass sports pavilion, and tennis courts. In 2023, they won a two-year planning dispute with conservation charity The Gardens Trust over plans to extend a guesthouse.
The pool upgrade highlights the stark contrast between Blair’s socialist political rhetoric and his post-political lifestyle. Since leaving office, he has established the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which advises international clients on strategy, policy, and delivery. His various business ventures have reportedly earned him annual income exceeding £10 million.
Remarkably, Blair’s wealth is dwarfed by that of his eldest son Euan, 41, who is worth an estimated £350 million according to The Sunday Times Rich List. Euan owns a £22 million, five-storey townhouse in West London, which also features a swimming pool.
The installation of disappearing pools has become increasingly popular among the ultra-wealthy, with real estate agents reporting a rise in luxury homes featuring the technology hitting the market in recent years. However, the astronomical costs—starting at nearly five times the price of a standard inground pool—ensure they remain the preserve of the exceptionally affluent.
Features offered by Twinscape include submersible spa floors, sliding pool floors, disappearing fences, and even flower beds that can be concealed at will. The company maintains discretion about its high-profile clients, though it acknowledges working on projects for luxury hotels and private residences worldwide.
The Blairs’ current pool is believed to be a 20-foot Riptide Trident PRO fitted with powerful jets allowing users to swim against the current whilst remaining stationary. The new movable floor system will transform this into a space that can seamlessly transition between aquatic exercise facility and entertainment venue.
As Britain grapples with a cost-of-living crisis, the former Prime Minister’s latest home improvement serves as a potent symbol of the vast wealth accumulated by some political figures after leaving office—a far cry from the modest means of many Labour supporters who once helped sweep him to power.
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Image Credit:
Tony Blair and Jean Chrétien – Image by U.S. Department of State, public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
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