The Cotswolds
So, you are considering a move to The Cotswolds. What are the essentials to make the move as seamless?
1) Outdoor attire....a pair of wellies, a gilet and even a spot of tweed will take you to most places and more in The Cotswolds! From a spot of shopping in your local market town, to a point to point, or a stomp along the Cotswold Way – don the wellies and feel immediately at home!
2) A hunger for all things local – to move to, or simply visit The Cotswolds and not sample the local produce it has to offer would be an absolute sin and a shame for your taste buds! There is so much to try: Cotswold Gin from Cotswold Distillery, Bibury trout, all things dairy from Cotteswold Dairy, bread from Hobbs House Bakery, Woodchester Valley wines,...the list is endless..
3) A canine companion! Most places are dog-friendly in The Cotswolds and who better to join you for walks in the stunning countryside. They are also a great way to meet new people!
4) A good map for you to really get to grips with what this wonderful region has to offer and the variety it has – make plans on where to visit ...the joy of The Cotswolds is nothing is too far apart.
5) Room for guests! As soon as people hear you are moving to The Cotswolds, friends will appear out of the woodwork suggesting a catch up and it’s your place they will be heading.... getting them to leave may be the tricky part!
6) A clear diary! Move to The Cotswolds and you need never be bored! The regions calendar is bursting with year-round events ranging from the more traditional agricultural shows to leading UK cultural events such as Science, Music, Jazz and Literature Festivals in Cheltenham Spa..... there really is something for every taste!
7) A buying agent! Finding the right property in the right location to suit your needs is a crucial component to settling in and something you really want to get right first time. We aim to minimise the stresses of moving and make the process as enjoyable and exciting as it should be. It’s all about coming home
When considering the Cotswolds as a place to buy a home, HANNAH EDGE, Property Buying Agent with Recoco Property Search, is often asked which is better North or South Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds encompasses 5 counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire). A vast area covering almost 800 square miles. The largest AONB of 46 AONB’s in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It stretches from Bath and Wiltshire in the south through to Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the North.
The A40 from Witney in the east and Cheltenham in the west is seen as the dividing point between North and South Cotswolds.
The North Cotswolds is more accessible to London. The M40 is perceived to be the more desirable link out of London than the M4. There are better rail links in the North with a direct link to Paddington from Moreton in Marsh and now the very quick rail link from Banbury to Marylebone. In the South, Kemble station goes to Paddington via Swindon.
North Cotswolds is generally a bit more expensive than the South due to better access, rail links and the pull of Daylesford, an area that has become more trendy following the opening of Soho Farmhouse in 2015, a members club in Great Tew with guests such as Prince Harry and Meghan generating more coverage and interest in the area. South Cotswolds has its fair share of glamour and celebrity with the polo set around Cirencester and Beaufort, and its Royal residences. Areas like Minchinhampton and Painswick are also gaining in popularity with The Painswick Hotel adding to the areas appeal, and the popularity continues to soar in the Coln Valley which encompasses pretty villages such as Coln St Aldwyns, Bibury and Barnsley, with great places to eat out including The Wheatsheaf at Northleach and Barnsley House Hotel.
North Cotswolds is arguably more manicured and perhaps has more of the atypical honey-coloured sandstone villages with views over rolling hills. This tends to attract more tourists with places such as Chipping Campden, Broadway and Burford being huge magnets to visitors to the area. South Cotwolds is rather more rugged, although still have their pretty market towns including Tetbury and Cirencester.
Culturally both the North and South look to Cheltenham, with its festivals, which cater for most tastes including music, science, food and drink, and literature, to name but a few. Excellent restaurants and the iconic racecourse. Those in the North have easy access to Oxford. In the South, there is easy access to Bath and Cirencester, often referred to as the ‘capital of The Cotswolds’. Stroud offers something completely different with its contemporary craft scene and arty feel.
The Cotswolds is blessed with great schools in both the North and South. With excellent local primary and secondary state schools as well as an array of fine state grammar and private schools including Cheltenham College, Cheltenham Ladies College, The Cotswold School in the North and Beaudesert Park School in the South. Cirencester is home to the Royal Agricultural University.
So which is best, North or South?
It does, of course, depend on your requirements.
I have often found that clients have an idea of where they may want to be as a result of what they’ve read or dinner party conversations. This then changes once they come to look at the area and think through what they want to achieve. There are key questions that need answering, such as: is the property the main family house? Is schooling important? What do you enjoy doing? Where do you need to travel to? Do you want to be part of a community?
Do you have animals and want access to walks and bridle ways?
If you don’t know the area that well, or are coming from outside the area, employing a buying agent can be a good idea. We are able to listen to your needs, visit you in your current house and build up an idea of what you are really looking for. More importantly, we can then introduce you to areas you may not know or houses that won’t ever hit the open market.
In reality, The Cotswolds really does have something for everyone. It’s weighing up what is really important for you as to whether the north or the south are the right spots to head for. Take your time, don’t rush into it. Follow your gut and your heart and we can help you with everything else. It’s all about coming home!
To help in your search for a home in the Cotswolds contact Adam Phelps of Recoco Property Search on 07833 431117 email: abp@recoco.co.uk