Why we love it and why you will too
Full of picture-perfect villages and rolling fields and hills, it’s little wonder that the Cotswolds is the UK’s largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a popular holiday destination for visitors from the UK and overseas.
It’s location makes it extremely accessible and an ideal spot for both mini breaks and longer stays. Not only is it less than two hours from London and major UK airports, it is also accessible via the M4, M40 or M5, perfect for whatever part of the country you’re travelling from.
Something for everyone
Covering a whopping 780 square miles, it is the third most protected landscape in the UK, after the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. With Shakespeare’s Stratford to the north, the spa towns of Bath and Cheltenham to the south and west and Woodstock, home of Blenheim Palace, to the east, in terms of tourist appeal the Cotswolds has a lot to offer.
For those seeking a rural idyll there are plenty of quiet, unspoilt villages and hamlets, offering the opportunity for a peaceful break. If you prefer a slower pace of life but still want to be able to walk to a pub, or a local restaurant for dinner, then the region’s many small market towns are perfect for doing just that.
As a holidaymaker, the Cotswolds really does offer something for everyone, whether you’re after a history fix, a relaxing pampering session or are up for a challenge, it’s all here. If you’re keen to step back in history, you can take your pick from stately homes or castles, abbeys, roman mosaics or monasteries. Want to unwind? Then both Bath and Cheltenham offer modern day spa experiences in a traditional spa town. If the outdoors appeals, then there are plenty of rural walks, ranging from leisurely strolls in the local countryside to the challenge of the 150km Cotswold Way.
With so much on offer in the Cotswolds, year-round bookings are definitely a possibility, and so is the prospect of turning your holiday let into a solid income stream.
Ok, I'm sold on the area but how do I find the perfect place?
In such a lovely area, narrowing down a location can be tough. In terms of property pricing, the north of the Cotswolds tends to be slightly more expensive and attracts many buyers currently living in London or a larger city and looking for a second home in the country, while the south, is slightly less expensive.
If you have your heart set on a pretty, traditional, village then you should be prepared to pay a bit more, but it’s always worth looking around as you can often find prices are slightly cheaper if you’re willing to consider a neighbouring village instead which could be just as beautiful.
When it comes to the property itself, many people are looking for the quintessential honey-coloured Cotswold stone cottage and, whilst this makes them extremely popular when they come to market, it also means that they retain their value. However, if you’re keen to buy a larger property then it’s important to remember that often the more traditional Grade II listed properties can be fairly small inside, so if you’re looking for somewhere large and spacious then you may need to consider whether there’s scope to develop.
Right, I'm ready to start looking, but where do I begin?
Although we work all across the UK, the Cotswolds is our home and we’re always thrilled to work on a local project. If you’re considering buying a holiday let in the area, then why not get in touch. We’d be delighted to work with you to find a place in the Cotswolds that is just what you’re looking for.
If you’d like to chat about investing in a holiday let, you can email us at hello@cotswoldpropertypartners.com or call 07736 847960