The recent news that Beyonce and Jay-Z are set to buy a home in the Cotswolds confirms that it is one of the hottest places on the planet right now.
They’re joining a host of celebs who have been busy swapping places such asLondon’s Chiltern Firehouse for the Cotswolds’ Soho Farmhouse on an industrial scale.
It wasn’t that long ago that the English countryside was of little interest to many celebrities. They’d have all been headed for the Groucho Club or The Ivy (the original one), or abroad to the likes of Beverly Hills, Aspen, Ibiza or The Hamptons.
But now it seems they’re all making a beeline for a region stuffed with muddy fields, antique stores and tea shops – hardly the sexiest fixtures of British life – and village shops where a tin of peaches is about as exotic as it gets.
The Beckhams, David and Samantha Cameron, Jeremy Clarkson, Kate Moss, Hugh Grant, Ellen DeGeneres, Patrick Stewart and Lily Allen are just some of the well-known faces who have bought properties in the Cotswolds. It’s also, of course, where Vice President JD Vance recently had his holiday and the area Taylor Swift used as a base during her Eras Tour last year.
The good news is that you don’t need to be on a Hollywood A-lister’s pay scale to afford to live in the area. There are still properties up for grabs for a fraction of what Beyonce and Jay-Z have paid.
Five Trees Close, Tetbury, Gloucestershire -£179,950
You’ll have royal neighbours if you move here: the charming historic wool town of Tetbury is near Highgrove, the family residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla. Anne, Princess Royal lives nearby at Gatcombe Park too.
The town has numerous pubs, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, a supermarket plus a primary and secondary school. Kemble Station, seven miles northwards, has trains to Paddington, and both the M4 and M5 are easily accessible.
This one-bedroom, first-floor apartment is a short walk from the town centre and enjoys secure off-street parking and beautifully maintained communal gardens.
BUY IT: Available with Hunter French for £179,950 (hunterfrench.co.uk).
Victoria Close, Dursley, Gloucestershire – £49,900
The market town of Dursely has many facilities and amenities, including a supermarket, library, swimming pool, schools and a hospital. The adjoining village of Cam has regular train services to Gloucester, Bristol and Cheltenham.
This one-bedroom ground-floor flat with an open-plan kitchen/living room is a 40 per cent shared ownership property and a short walk to the town centre.
BUY IT: Available with Bennett Jones for £49,900 (bennettjones.co.uk).
High Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire – £205,000
While the very pleasant market town of Banbury is situated just outside the formal boundary of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is located on the edge of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and a great base for exploring the area. Stroll alongside the canal or the River Cherwell, browse in the independent shops, enjoy its inviting pubs and restaurants. The town has a mix of historic buildings alongside modern amenities such as the Castle Quay Shopping Centre in the recently regenerated Oxford Canal area.
This two-bedroom apartment has a luxury feel with a town centre location and walking distance to the rail station. Large windows let plenty of light in and there is a large sitting room with open plan kitchen. There is also a large shared courtyard space.
BUY IT: Available with Northwood for £205,000 (northwooduk.com).
Tom Price Close, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire – £75,000
Pleasant Cheltenham is located on the western edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is known for its beautiful Regency architecture, excellent restaurants, shopping and thriving cultural scene.
This double-glazed top-floor studio apartment could do with some upgrading and is for cash buyers only, but at this asking price has great potential to add value.
BUY IT: Available with Belvoir for £75,000 (belvoir.co.uk).
Greenaways, Ebley, Stroud, Gloucestershire -£225,000
This historic village two miles west of the market town of Stroud lies in the valley of the River Frome and has a strong community feel. Stroud offers many attractions, including a thriving cultural scene, a farmers’ market and plenty of shops and restaurants.
This bright and spacious two-bedroom apartment overlooks the tranquil waters of the Stroudwater Canal. Boasting an open-plan kitchen and sitting room, with French doors and Juliet balconies bringing in lots of natural light, the property is a short distance from local amenities, scenic canal-side walks and excellent transport links into Stroud and beyond.
BUY IT: Available with Andrews for £225,000 (andrewsonline.co.uk).
Dunkirk Mills, Inchbrook, Stroud, Gloucestershire – £179,950
Inchbrook is a small hamlet on the outskirts of the larger market town of Nailsworth, a lovely but rather unsung corner of the Cotswolds. Nestling at the bottom of steep wooded hills, Nailsworth has a good selection of speciality shops, cafes and restaurants. Close by is some National Trust common land and Woodchester Park, with miles of woodland walks and secluded lakes. Stroud is just four miles away.
This ground-floor two-bed apartment in a Grade II Listed former woollen mill conversion has a large sitting room/dining room, views over the stream and lovely communal grounds. Parts of the mill date back to 1798 and there are numerous attractive features such as a leaded light window and exposed stone walls. Communal benefits include a gym, sauna, tennis court and extensive communal grounds.
BUY IT: Available with Peter Joy for £179,950 (peterjoy.co.uk).
Pittville Circus Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire -£115,000
Cheltenham is an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds – meaning you can live in this enviable town while also enjoying the benefits of country life.
This colourful and spacious studio in an attractive Regency building has been recently renovated, and has off-road parking, is chain-free and walking distance to town.
BUY IT: Available with Belvoir for £115,000 (belvoir.co.uk).
The Castle, Stroud, Gloucestershire – £179,000
Stroud is located within the South Cotswolds, surrounded by beautiful landscapes ideal for hiking. It also boasts a rich arts scene, with plenty of restaurants and cafes and independent shops.
Nestled in the heart of the town, this light and bright period, basement one-bedroom apartment blends historical charm with modern convenience. It also offers a communal garden and off-street parking and is in great condition.
BUY IT: Available with Perry Bishop for £179,000 (perrybishop.co.uk).
Prebendal Court, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Chipping Norton – £95,000
Set among rolling hills, this lovely village is situated between Chipping Norton and Burford. It has numerous amenities such as a Post Office and convenience store, three pubs, a doctors’ surgery, a church, a park and a village hall.
If you’re of retirement age, join the famous Chipping Norton set in this spacious one-bedroom retirement flat with a large lounge/diner. Built from Cotswold stone with a Cotswold slate roof, there are communal gardens, lounges and a vaulted dining room also available to residents.
BUY IT: Available with Ted George for £95,000 (tedgeorge.co.uk).
Strickland Close, Brockworth, Gloucestershire -£50,000
Brockworth village is situated on the old Roman road, connecting Gloucester and Cirencester, and is around five miles from both Gloucester and Cheltenham. It has a good range of pubs, restaurants and shops and with its affordability, parks and playgrounds and choice of schools, it is particularly popular with families.
This two-bedroom flat has a 25 per cent shared ownership arrangement. Features include an open plan kitchen/diner/living room and a private off-street parking space. It offers easy access to a range of local amenities.
BUY IT: Available with Local Agents for £50,000 (rightmove.co.uk).
Glovers Way, Tetbury, Gloucestershire -£156,000
Tetbury is a thriving historic Cotswold market town and has previously been voted the third most desirable town in the country by Country Life. It has great travel connections and an excellent choice of schools.
This three-bedroom family home, located on the edge of the town, was built approximately six years ago by Bewley Homes. It has a fitted kitchen/dining room, living room, enclosed rear garden with a patio and lawn and two parking spaces. The price is for 40 per cent shared ownership, with rent paid on the remaining percentage. The price for full ownership is £390,000.
BUY IT: Available with Perry Bishop for £156,000 (perrybishop.co.uk).
Victoria Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire -£140,000
‘Capital of the Cotswolds’, Cirencester’s well-preserved historic architecture, traditional market and independent shops and cafes all conspire to give it a pleasant market town atmosphere. There’s plenty of green space, such as Cirencester Park, Abbey Grounds and Cotswolds Water Park, meaning residents have the option to fish, cycle, walk or even hitch a hot air balloon ride from their doorsteps.
Just a short walk from the historic town centre, this one-bedroom apartment with parking has no onward chain. It features a bright and airy open-plan living space while the generous double bedroom has far-reaching views over Cirencester.
BUY IT: Available with Cannon Estates for £140,000 (cannon-estates.co.uk).
Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire -£190,000
Leckhampton, a village in south Cheltenham, is ideal for keen walkers, having a host of panoramic views and trails such as the Leckhampton Loop and Cotswolds Way. Its historic past is prominent, with its Iron Age hillfort and quarries and kilns of its industrial heritage.
This characterful one-bedroom apartment forms part of an elegant Grade II-listed house, and is ideally located near local amenities, good schools, and stunning countryside. The communal gardens feature lawns, mature shrubs and pebbled areas, and there is easy access to main routes such as the M5.
BUY IT: Available with Peter Ball for £190,000 (peterball.co.uk).
Bath Marina & Caravan Park, Somerset -£120,000
The beautiful city of Bath is located at the extreme southern tip of the Cotswolds region, and has the advantage of a host of facilities and amenities amongst outstanding architecture while being a great base for exploring the area.
This 60ft widebeam houseboat located at Bath Marina and Caravan Park was built in 2016, its engine having had only 284 hours of use. There’s full double glazing throughout and an Aga-style diesel-run stove provides cooking, central heating and hot water. It has a saloon, two bedrooms and a utility room. Mooring is available through separate application with the marina, and a buyer’s premium is required to take over the current mooring.
BUY IT: Available with RG Property for £120,000 (rightmove.co.uk).
Whiteshill, Stroud, Gloucestershire -£330,000
Whiteshill is a desirable village situated between Stroud and Gloucester, and is a popular stop for walks along the Cotswold Way. It has excellent access to countryside walks, a well-regarded primary school, a shop and pub. Nearby Stroud, as well as offering a broad range of amenities, has direct train links to Gloucester, Cheltenham and London Paddington.
This detached three-bedroom stone-built house boasts far-reaching views and generous outdoor space. It has a recently updated kitchen, a sitting room, dining room and a rear conservatory.
BUY IT: Available with Springbok Properties for £330,000 (springbokproperties.co.uk).
