The Cotswolds has long been a draw for visitors and house hunters from all over the world looking to immerse themselves in its quintessential English beauty.
With many distinct pockets, it is England’s largest designated National Landscape – encompassing over 800 square miles, across five counties, predominantly Gloucestershire in the south and Oxfordshire in the north.
The Oxfordshire Cotswolds is arguably the region’s least well-kept secret and since the first series of Clarkson’s Farm aired on Amazon Prime in 2021, interest has only increased. Clarkson’s Farm follows Jeremy Clarkson’s experience of running his own 1,000-acre farm, Diddly Squat Farm, which is based near the market town of Chipping Norton.
Oxfordshire is one of the most accessible parts of the Cotswolds, and therefore particularly popular with those looking for connectivity to Oxford or London.
You can spend a morning soaking up Oxford’s rich culture and striking architecture, and be in a small Cotswold village pub by suppertime – the epitome of the best of both worlds. It is also very possible to live in the area full time and work in London.
The Cotswolds is known for a relaxed and traditional way of life that is hugely appealing as a counter to today’s ‘always on’ culture.
From small, independent pubs and farm shops, through to global brands, the Cotswolds’ lifestyle offering – already exceptional – continues to evolve, with openings such as Estelle Manor in Eynsham and RH England at Aynho Park in the last couple of years only furthering its reputation on the world stage.
The lure of the Cotswolds goes beyond beautiful countryside and chocolate box villages. An abundance of excellent schools and award-winning pubs and restaurants, along with a fit-to-bursting sporting and events calendar supports a rich tapestry of thriving communities that make the area what it is.
It is probably no coincidence that searches on the Savills website for homes for sale in Oxfordshire surged by 148% as the latest series of Clarkson's Farm hit our screens this weekend, while searches for Chipping Norton went up 119% on the previous week.
Meanwhile property location searches for neighbouring Burford, known as the ‘gateway to the Cotswolds’ doubled, and even the city of Oxford experienced a boost of 104%, perhaps reflecting the wider regional uplift.
And, of course, it is not just the TV show that is driving interest. Over the last 12 months, we have seen 22% more property searches on the Savills website than in the previous 12 months – with a notable rise in searches from the United States.
Given its popularity, the Cotswolds can be a challenging market within which to buy – particularly the most prestigious hot spots. However, there is currently a window of opportunity for buyers, who are benefitting from a greater choice of quality property.
This relative abundance, along with reduced interest rates and a more favourable lending environment, is generating more positivity and confidence among buyers and sellers alike.
Contact Charles Elsmore-Wickens or Plum Fenton
Your local agents in the Cotswolds
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