Seven best villages in the Cotswolds
Discover the best villages in the Cotswolds.
There are few places in the country that capture the attention and headlines quite like the Cotswolds. A patchwork of honey-coloured villages, rolling countryside and winding lanes, it’s a region that has long held a certain magic. Its enduring appeal shows no sign of fading. For many, the Cotswolds represents the ideal place to put down roots, with its close-knit communities, picture-perfect towns and villages, and highly regarded schools. For others, it offers the perfect rural bolthole and somewhere to escape to from the stresses of everyday life.
Here, we spotlight five homes for sale in the region – ranging from a grand country house with a storybook walled garden, to a honey-coloured stone village house and a contemporary new-build for those seeking a turnkey finish.
This Grade II* Listed house stands tall on the edge of Finstock, with views over Cornbury Park towards Charlbury. Dating back to the 1600s, Finstock Manor has features synonymous with the period, including mullioned windows and rusticated quoins. In the 4.58 acres, there’s formal gardens, paddocks, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. There are also various outbuildings, including a large barn, former cart shed, summer house, and a granary which has lapsed planning consent to be converted.
The copyholders of Magdalen College built several notable houses, including Cherry Orchard which was constructed in 1727 by a London pewterer who exported goods to the Americas. The home has lovely period features, but it’s been updated thoughtfully to suit modern life – from the underfloor heating and morning room with cosy log burner, to a useful utility/boot room that leads out to the garden and is ideal for muddy shoes and paws.
Having been in the same family for nearly a century, the sale of Foxley House is a particularly special one. Set at the end of a long driveway, the home offers wonderful seclusion and privacy – all the while being conveniently positioned between Malmsbury and Chippenham. With almost nine acres of grounds, there’s everything from a walled swimming pool and tennis court to a detached annexe which is perfect for multi-generational living or guests.
Set around a courtyard, this is a wonderful example of a traditional barn conversion with a contemporary touch. The home is light and airy throughout, with a mixture of contemporary and traditional features. The open-plan kitchen/breakfast room, which leads into the drawing room, is undoubtedly the heart of the family home. There’s an acre of gardens, including a formal garden, an avenue of cherry trees and an orchard, as well as a productive vegetable garden.
This brand new four-bedroom house can be found in Deanfield Heights, a collection of 25 homes in the village of Sibford Ferris. The home is EPC ‘B’ rated and has energy-efficient features, including an EV charging point. The community here is warm and welcoming, and along with the neighbouring Sibford Gower, there’s local facilities including a village shop, a doctors’ surgery, post office, a pub and schools.