Cotswolds a uniquely beautiful place in the United Kingdom

Cotswolds is located in west-central England which is also popularly known as the "Heart of England". Cotswolds consists of a range of hills characterized by many small villages and towns built by the locally available yellow oolitic limestone. The term "Cotswolds " simply mean sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides. During the Middle Ages wool trade made this locality prosperous. Some of the funds realized in the trade were put in building of churches hence the presence of many handsome stone 'wool churches'. Cotswolds remains affluent with a large number of restaurants, high class pubs and antique shops.

There are several towns that make up Cotswolds which include Broadway, Chipping Norton, Bourton -on-the Water, Winchombe and Stroud. Chipping Camden is popular for the annual Cotswold Olimpick Games which is a celebration of sports dating back to the 17th century. Apart from luxury holiday homes Cotswolds also boasts of being the largest area of outstanding natural beauty with rare limestone grassland habitats and beech woodlands that are typical of the area.

Cotswolds is one of the uniquely beautiful places in the United Kingdom. Broad valleys and undulating hills makes it a perfect destination for visitors with a keen eye. Cotswolds is home to many tourists attractions which includes the following:

Bibury Trout Farm
The farm is open for adults and older children; it is one of the most attractive and oldest trout farms in the country. The farm is known for high quality trout production and is ideal for visitors who love fishing. Visitors can learn fishing skills as well as buy smoked or fresh trout.

Durnkirk Mill Centre
The Mill centre offers an opportunity to see a huge rotating water wheel powering an ancient piece of historic cloth making machinery. The mills consists of a wheel which is 12 feet wide and 13 feet in diameter which was installed in 1855.Initially the mill was a woolen mill which was made courtesy of James Ferrabee of Stroud after having made an iron frame with forty steel buckets. The mill is operated regularly on opening days as long as there is sufficient water. Beholding the wheel rotating in a powerful cascade of water is an unforgettable experience.

Cotswold Water Park& Keynes Country Park
The park which is one of the largest water park is open to children of all ages as well as adults. Visitors can engage in several outdoor activities such as water sports, cycling, riding, camping and fishing.

The Wharf House
Popularly known as the World of Mechanical Music it is a living museum dedicated to a variety of self-playing musical instruments. It is the pride of most grandparents and considered as the only canned music which was available in most home prior to the regular broadcasting began in 1924.

Cotswolds have many good luxury holiday homes where visitors can be accommodated during vacations. Some of the ideal places that tourists are assured of luxurious accommodation include:

Lower Mill Estate 

"The idea behind Lower Mill Estate is to live surrounded by nature. The nature and wildlife were there first, so they fit the houses around them, not the other way round. Nature comes first, houses second" Quoted The Observer newspaper.

A luxurious estate that offers high end development vacation homes and rentals within acres of naturally beauty.

Goose Nest House (LME)
It is among luxury holiday homes rated as 5-stars, the house boasts of vaulted ceilings as well as wall to wall glass window which opens to a wonderful glass fronted balcony. The home overlooks the lake towards a site of special scientific interest. Guests staying at the house enjoy the luxury of a recently built £6 million spa consisting of indoor and outdoor swimming pool, steam pool, sauna and gym. Guests have fishing rights as well as sailing on the lakes. The 450 acre private nature reserve offers vacationers staying at the house an opportunity to see otters, wildfowl, deer and beavers on the estate. Activities for guests include sailing, cable-skiing, cycling and lakeside walks.


Old Chapel
This is an old holiday house located in the hamlet of Slad immortalized by Laurie Lee in 'Cider with Rosie'. The house is a spacious stylish contemporary converted Cotswolds church. It is a holiday home set on the slopes of the Slad valley at the heart of Cotswolds Hills which is picturesque and un-spoilt in England. The house is available as holiday rentals and short breaks all year round. The Old Chapel was built in 1865 and renovated in 2008; the converted chapel is well furnished without being contrived. The furniture consists of contemporary and antique pieces which enhances the beauty of the interior. The house can comfortably accommodate 10 guests and is ideal for two sharing families.

Lakeside Homes - Cotswolds - UK

The Cotswold’s in England is famous for its old-fashioned countryside homes and scenery. One could say from a bird's eye view, it looks as if time has stood still in the Cotswold’s for a few hundred years.

Cotswold Landscape 

The Cotswold’s is located along the southwestern region of England and has been given the distinction of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you haven't been there, please check out some pictures, and you will see why it deserves that distinction.

The Cotswold’s is home to many market towns where you can find stately homes, ancient and old-fashioned establishments like churches, and even pubs! One area that caught my eye were the lakeside homes situated in a scenic and peaceful area scattered all over the Cotswold’s.

These homes will take your breath away  in themselves are quite posh albeit in a very rustic way, due to the natural surroundings. Some lakeside homes can be leased for a couple of months, so should you want to, you can spend your summer vacation there. However, after just spending a few days there, you will find that having a more permanent place to stay might be what you prefer. 

Like any home near the lakeside you will get excellent scenery but also the perfect place for outdoor sports such as fishing, sailing, running and walking. There is nothing quite like enjoying your favorite sport amid a great landscape and breathing fresh air. It is for these reasons that these lakeside homes in the Cotswold’s have are much desired. It is a sign of status among the affluent and something many people in the UK aspire to have.

Lakeside Homes Cotswolds

For those who want to just take a short visit, you will find that some of the Cotswold’s historical roots. The Cotswold’s is home to Stratford-upon-Avon (birthplace of the playwright William Shakespeare), and some manors and castles that are great tourist spots.

Alternatively the Cotswold’s currently has to offer has a good variety of places to stay. If you prefer a more modern living setup but still like the setting of the countryside, then you can go to the Cotswold’s Water Park, where you can find a place to suit your needs. Fro luxury vacation stays there is Lower Mill Estate.

It would be quite interesting to note that a number of the UK's finest artists have a property in the Cotswold’s or actually live there. Some of these individuals are Damien Hirst (artist), Elizabeth Hurley (model), J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter series), Alex James (from the band Blur) and Stella McCartney (fashion designer). Perhaps it’s the charm of the countryside or the peaceful environment, but the fact is, the Cotswold’s offers such a beautiful location to build your life. 

Whether you are looking to settle or coming by to visit, you will find endless things to do.

Luxury Holiday Homes In the Cotswolds UK

The Cotswolds is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas of Great Britain, and as of 1991 was the largest area of outstanding beauty in the country. With serene grassy meadows, beautiful forests and breath-taking rolling hills, it's not surprising that many people would seek to take a holiday refuge to this natural paradise.

Buying a little slice of this heaven can be difficult, due to so few luxury homes being for sale. Locals in the Cotswolds know what they have, and they mostly wouldn't dare part with it when they can rent it instead. However, all is not lost, as one of the most historically significant estates in the Cotswolds, the Lower Mill, does indeed have many fine luxury holiday homes available.

Lower Mill Estate is one of only two river mills located on the Thames, and is a completely operational historical landmark. Within an area of supreme beauty itself, the Lower Mill estate is regarded to be one of the most breath-taking locations available.

These are the top luxury holiday homes of their league, featuring sweeping views of the rivers and lakes of the Cotswolds countryside. No amenity is too lavish for this splendid estate. Location is key, with several villages within easy driving distance and an active Lodge for the more social vacationer.

Example Property at Lower Mill Estate 

For someone wishing to get back to nature, the Cotswolds are a most fantastic place, and the Lower Mill is the best of the best. The Lower Mill estate committee has taken great care to coexist and enrich the local nature, rather than pave it over or run it out. For example, after 500 years of absence, beavers have been restored to the area, which was once teeming with them.

Nature-loving vacationers can relax in the hide over the beaver lake and watch these majestic creatures work without fatigue to build their own little Cotswold luxury homes on the banks. Miles with scenic rolling hills and green pastures make nature walks and peaceful relaxation as natural an impulse as taking a breath.

With a mix of modern and old fashioned (historical) architecture blending without a hitch, all of the comforts of modern luxury living are available at one's fingertips, while the old world charm is just a stone's throw away as well. After a long, relaxing walk through the pastures and hills of the Cotswolds or a leisurely boat ride on the lakes, nothing could be more fulfilling than a roaring fire and a glass of fine wine. The Lower Mill Estate has this covered, offering a variety of fireplaces in their luxury homes.
For the more active, in summer months a full-sized swimming pool is accessible at the lodge, whether it's just to relax by the waters and enjoy the day, or take a brisk, refreshing swim before taking in the beauty of the landscape all around.

To close up a night of peace and happiness in a little piece of paradise, one couldn't possibly say no to the full spa available for estate members. Truly for the ones seeking happiness, peace and quiet, this is a dream destination, under the shade of ancient oaks among the tallest hills in England.

Lower Mill luxury holiday homes are designed for environmentally sound sustainable living. They feature piled ring foundations allowing for the soundest structure imaginable, and allowing for better insulation and warming of the home. Concrete floors ad to solidity and less noise from walking about.

Walls of concrete block work allow for reduced sound transmission both within and outside the home, ensuring ease of privacy and common courtesy. Renewable timber construction materials last long and reduce deforestation.

Low energy lighting and clean energy photovoltaic roof systems allow for an environmentally conscious and money-saving use of solar power and low-wattage technology - a perfect marriage of frugality and eco-friendliness.

Lower Mill Estate intends to be a snapshot of 21st century country living, and as a result, they have a 999-year lease obliging all estate members must redecorate their home every three years to ensure that the home gets constant maintenance, resulting in it looking as good if not better than it does now in the next millennium.

There are traditional holiday cottages all around the Cotswolds for the occasional escapist to retreat to, and they too are lovely as is all in the area. But, if one wants to purchase a piece of future history in the most beautiful place in all England, then the Lower Mill is, at least for now, the answer.