Posted on December 16, 2020
Welcome to our final journal post of 2020 and the second instalment of our interview series called "The Leap", where we're wrapping up the year by sharing our own story of moving from city life to the beautiful Cotswolds.
Our move inspired us to help more people realise their dream of living in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and find the perfect home in The Cotswolds. Find out more about the perks of living in the countryside, our favourite spots and general advice for anyone thinking about making the leap!
Do you remember the moment that the seed was sown to make the move to The Cotswolds?
Absolutely! We came to the area for a birthday weekend break before our eldest Rufus was born and fell in love with the area. We loved the stunning countryside and all the pretty villages. This put The Cotswolds firmly on the map for us as a potential ‘home to be’. Peter grew up not too far away too so The Cotswolds had always been on our radar.
Tell us about your property search – how many properties you looked at, how long did it take etc.
Doesn’t everyone have a Rightmove search in their phone even if they’re not looking to buy?! Even before we set up our business, we always kept an eye on the market and liked to see what was out there. We initially rented in the area which gave us a great feel for where we wanted to buy and settle down. We knew we wanted to buy a house we could add value to and extend over the years and we eventually found one not far from Cirencester and Cheltenham.
Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham
Did you have a wish list for the features/style of house/amenities you wanted?
It was important for us that we were close to both Cheltenham and Cirencester so we had some hubs nearby, but we were specifically looking for a village settling with countryside walks on the doorstep. The house needed to have potential so we could really put our stamp on it and adapt it to our needs as a growing family.
What made you think your new home was ‘the one’?
There was just something about it that felt right – homes are bought on feeling. Although it’s not our forever home, it’s our ‘for now’ home and we love what we have created and how we have made it ours.
How are you settling in?
It always takes time to settle in to somewhere new but with the boys at nursery and then school we quickly met new friends and have forged some wonderful friendships since moving here. We have discovered some gorgeous country walks and over the years have grown to know The Cotswolds really well. There is still so much to discover!
What’s been your biggest adjustment?
We like to think we are pretty adaptable and take things in our stride. Nothing is unsurmountable so whether it be juggling family life, work life and house renovations, everything in due course and with as little stress as possible! Not always easy!
How has it changed your day to day living for the better?
Rural life with the kids and dog is so rewarding and the boys just love being outside. Having fabulous walks on the doorstep has been a real blessing during the recent lockdowns. Having Cheltenham and Cirencester nearby has been fantastic for shopping and dining out so you never feel too remote.
What would you say to someone who’s considering making the move from city to country?
Go for it! It’s always great going back to the big smoke to see friends or go to see a show in the West End but you have the best of both worlds living in The Cotswolds with London only being just over an hour away on the train. Equally Bristol, and Bath are less than an hour away.
Can you share some of your favourite local haunts? (places to eat, shop etc)
There are so many to choose from but to name a few: we love a good walk up to Broadway Tower, or doing a lovely circular walk around Guiting Power and ending up at The Hollow Bottom for a delicious Sunday roast. Daylesford Organic never disappoints, coffee from Lynwood and Co in Burford is always a treat, The Ivy for dinner is an impressive setting for a fabulous Friday evening out, shopping for antiques in beautiful Tetbury, watching a show at The Barn Theatre in Cirencester. We recently went out for dinner at Cowley Manor which also has a super spa, the food was delicious and the setting is gorgeous. The list is endless, so many wonderful places to choose from!
The Barn Theatre
What does a weekend in The Cotswolds look like for you?
Saturdays we generally have property viewings booked in and the boys do weekend sports and then either dinner with friends or a movie night snuggled up on the sofa. Sunday is a family day and ideally no work! The boys play rugby in the morning and then, whatever the weather, we go for a long country walk and blow off the cobwebs following by a delicious Sunday roast and feet up in front of the fire.
Do you miss anything about city life?
Sometimes we miss the general hustle and bustle of city life but we love being able to step in and out of it and come home to The Cotswolds.
Finish the sentence: ‘Life in The Cotswolds is….’
…pretty wonderful!