Straddling Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, this beautiful part of the heart of England boasts rolling hills and peaceful, winding rivers.
Parts of it – particularly in Oxfordshire – are close enough to London to be commutable, but always far enough away to feel like the country. And the further-flung reaches are
Of course Oxford itself has a booming property market – property for sale in Oxford, from its large Victorian townhouses to the pretty semi-detached period cottages, is rising in price every year. By association, nearby towns and villages are also very sought-after with property hunters: Great Milton, Witney and Woodstock are both perennially popular with buyers looking to commute back into Oxford. Properties along The River Thames, are, of course also bought and sold at a premium.
The Oxfordshire Cotswolds comprise classic rolling countryside; Bicester village has hugely raised its profile in recent years, and property here is becoming harder to find, while the area around Chipping Norton has long been a destination for successful London buyers looking for a country retreat not too far from The City.
Gloucestershire is the other main country in the Cotswolds, with innumerable beautiful villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters (Upper and Lower), while across into Wiltshire the likes of Castle Combe are famously picturesque.
Behind its neo-Classical façade, this Grade II-listed home has a layout designed with entertaining in mind, according to the selling agent. It sits at the edge of an unspoilt wooded valley in Gloucestershire.
The charming house dates back to the 17th century and is set in more than 50 acres of gardens, parkland and pasture, three miles from Bibury.
Restoring our heritage buildings can create properties of excellence and elegance, as Adderbury House demonstrates. Penny Churchill takes a look.
The owners of this five-bedroom property are preparing to hand over the keys after 24 years. And the buyer needs to be green-fingered to keep up the good work in the garden.
Solomon's Court is a delightful house in a prime location. Penny Churchill takes a look.
With a wooden-clad extension, there’s more to this traditional stone property overlooking Bourton-on-the-Hill than first meets the eye.
Sitting just outside one of the finest villages in the Cotswolds, The Court is a joy to behold.
The dreamily beautiful Manor House in Hornton has been home to Felix Francis, the best-selling writer and son of Dick Francis, for 16 years, but now they are moving on.
Penny Churchill takes a look at Stanton Court, an almost bewilderingly magnificent house that is one of the finest for miles around.
The Cotswolds, arguably England's most popular Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has long been a favourite of ours at Country Life. Here are 10 reasons why we can't get enough of the place.
The Old Priory in North Woodchester, Gloucestershire, is a Cotswold building dripping with history, yet also has one of the most glorious poolhouses we've seen in years. Penny Churchill tells more.
The delightful village of Broadwell is the location for Millbrook House, an effortlessly elegant country house in Oxfordshire. Penny Churchill takes a look.
This gorgeous house delivers on the dream of living in an idyllic, golden stone home that's still within an easy commute of London.
Penny Churchill takes a look at the beautiful, and perfectly-situated Saddlewood Manor in South Gloucestershire.
Stouts Hill has been everything from a prep school to a timeshare, but is back at its very best as a country house — and it's on the market. Penny Churchill takes a look.
A rare opportunity has arisen in the form of Westington House, a delightful in the unspoilt Cotswolds paradise of Chipping Campden.
The Old Rectory in the village of Saintbury, not far from Chipping Campden, is the Gloucestershire idyll of so many of our dreams.
This sprawling Queen Anne style property which has impressive formal gardens and an extensive list of tempting 'extras.'
The English countryside is full of homes which look beautiful, romantic or wild enough to be used as film locations — and several of them are up for sale today. Those who've dreamt of living in a home that Jane Austen or Emily Brontë would recognise will love them.
The house where Evelyn Waugh wrote his nostalgic masterpiece comes to the market.
