Posted on September 01, 2022
Are you craving a shift from town to country – but not sure where to start your search? We are definitely biased, but The Cotswolds – covering Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Worcestershire - regularly tops the lists of ‘best places to live in the UK’ – and for good reason. Boasting beautiful scenery, characterful housing stock and fantastic links, the area has it all.
Stroud and the little village of Charlton Kings right next to Cheltenham, made it into The Times top 10 list of ‘The Best Places to Live in the South West’ this year, while Halifax’s 2019 Quality of Life Survey saw The Cotswolds come in at number 7, based on a range of factors from rainfall to burglary, school exam results, life expectancy, broadband speed, employment and CO2 emissions.
Here are just 6 key reasons to choose The Cotswolds for your next move:
Commuter links
The Cotswolds area is extremely well serviced with rail links from stations including Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and the bigger stations of Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Oxford. The M4 corridor east to London and M5 north to Birmingham make journey times by car a breeze and if you’re looking for further flung destinations, there are international airports at Bristol and Heathrow – both around 1-2 hours away.
Check out our journal “Best of both worlds - the top 5 villages with great links” for an introduction to some of the best spots in The Cotswolds that you could call home while still make that regular commute to the city.
You can still get your city fix
If you’re relocating from the capital, never fear – you can still get your cosmopolitan fix from the historic cities of Oxford, Bath, Bristol and Stratford Upon Avon. All within easy reach and perfect for shopping, theatre and culture. You can read our full Area Guides for Oxford, Bath and Bristol for more in-depth reviews.
Fantastic schools
If you’re relocating, en famille, checking out the availability of local schools is probably high on your priority list – with 3 boys ourselves we are more than happy to chat to prospective buyers about local schooling (and will be launching a full school guide this spring) – but as an overview, there is plenty of choice when it comes to good-quality schools across both the state and private sectors – including:
- Cheltenham College
- Dean Close
- Pate’s Grammar School
- Marling School
- Beaudesert Park
- Pinewood
- Westonbirt Schools
- Hatherop Castle
- The Cotswold School
- Cothill House
- Kitebrook
- As well as a range of village schools, such as St Andrews Primary Primary School in Chedworth, which have glowing reviews.
Independent shops & cafes
Pic credit: Broadway Deli
One of the unique charms of The Cotswolds is its thriving local economy – the range of independent shops, restaurants, delis and cafes brings life and vibrancy to the regions’ market towns and villages – here are 6 of our favourites to check out:
Encore in Cirencester has been going for 20 years; the pre-loved luxury clothes exchange is perfect for picking up a designer bargain at a fraction of the original price.
Wild at Heart has branches in Chipping Norton and Broadway, both worth a visit for quirky, thoughtful gifts from local businesses such as the Cotswolds Candle Co. and independent brands such as Katie Loxton.
Broadway Deli– a great destination for picking up weekend supplies, the window display is a joy in itself, whilst inside is packed to the rafters with local suppliers – from artisan breads to muddy carrots. There’s a great on-site café too where you can sample some of the deli’s fantastic produce.
Baker & Graze in Cheltenham is an award-winning cafe, bakery and restaurant serving up everything from delicious brunches, breads and pastries to truly delicious grazing platters and pasta. Read our full review in our journal here.
Octavia’s bookshop in Cirencester is a great independent bookseller for young and old – with their annual children’s literary festival, regular book groups and author signing events. The friendly staff are always happy to recommend a read if you are seeking inspiration.
Lynwood and Co a small, independent chain of cafes across The Cotswolds are worth seeking out for your morning cuppa – with their famous home-baked cakes, local roastery coffee blends and Cotswolds-sourced ingredients for their daily changing menu. Dog (and child!) friendly. If coffee is your thing, then check out our journal sharing our top coffee spots in The Cotswolds. Moving to the country doesn't mean having to compromise on a decent brew.
For more recommendations on places in The Cotswolds for food and drink or shopping, keep an eye on our directory which we regularly update with new discoveries!
Take your pick between town and country
Prospective buyers are spoilt for choice, with small, characterful village settings, as well as larger market towns available to set up home. That said, even the most rural of locations are only a stone’s throw from all the amenities a larger town has to offer – check out our full area guides for more info on larger towns such as Cirencester and Cheltenham, as well as Burford, Malmesbury and Tetbury.
Great for walking
We are shared a round-up of our favourite Cotswolds walks here – as well as a list of our favourite pub walks if you enjoy relaxing rambles that can be paired with a pub stop to warm up in front of a log fire while enjoying delicious food and hospitality.
The area is brilliant for making the most of the Great Outdoors – we use the All Trails app if we’re looking to discover new walks at weekends, or locations such as Westonbirt Arboretum offer great guided paths.
Properties of character
Threshing Tythe Barn, Nympsfield, GL10 3UR
Finally, one of the reasons that bought us to The Cotswolds in the first place – the wealth of properties available. We’ve been lucky to sell some amazing country properties with the most amazing views, check out just a few real stand outs here.
High Tun Cottage, Itlay, GL7 7JA
Whether you are seeking a quintessential, honey-stoned cottage, a grand Portland-stone manor house, or a Georgian stucco-fronted town house – the region has them all on offer. Browse our latest properties to find your next move here.