Moving to the Cotswolds is the ultimate dream for many and it’s easy to see why, as the area offers a rural lifestyle without losing touch with the shopping and cultural activities associated with big city living.
Some of our prettiest, most ‘instagrammable’, market towns are to be found in the Cotswolds and much of the appeal of living there lies in its picturesque charm, with its quaint houses of honey-coloured stone.
From chocolate-box cottages to large country houses, dry stone walls and gentle, rolling countryside, the traditional architecture and striking landscape of this part of the world is a huge draw and makes it one of the most beautiful places to live and work in the UK.
However, the Cotswolds are more than just a view, as the area is attractive to all ages and appeals to those who want to enjoy the slower pace of semi-rural living and also those for whom the stylish boutiques and restaurants offer a metropolitan ambience in the countryside.
Yet, for all its rustic allure, the region is also perfectly placed for commuting. Approximately 90 minutes from London by train, the Cotswolds is served by excellent links to the M4, M5 and M40 for Bristol, the Midlands and the South.
Although a thriving tourist area, there is still at the region’s core a thriving community of landowning and farming communities and villages and moving to the Cotswolds doesn’t mean leaving civilisation behind.
Oxford has a great selection of popular chain stores, including a brand-new John Lewis and Bicester Village and neighbouring Swindon’s Designer Outlet lures people in from miles away. Cirencester, Bath, Tetbury and Cheltenham are packed with interesting and thriving independent shops. Whether you are in the market for designer fashion boutiques or antiques, brilliant bookshops or fabulous farmers markets, not forgetting local craft beer and gin producers, shopping is definitely something to be enjoyed here.
For people who enjoy the outdoor life, Gloucestershire is almost unbeatable. This is fantastic walking country. The Cotswold Way is a lovely hiking route, but there are any number of pretty footpaths worth exploring.
Cycling is another popular sport, and the area is particularly good for off-road cycling, ideal for families. A network of byways and bridleways make cycling a great way to explore the area.
The Cotswold Water Park, covering 40 square miles, is a series of more than 150 lakes created by gravel extraction in the last century. As well as being an important wildlife area, it also provides the wherewithal for a wide range of water sports, from sailing and kayaking to fishing and paddleboarding.
Families are drawn to the area for the excellent schools, low crime rates and wonderful family homes. These families, together with second-home buyers ensure that there are many employment opportunities in the area and we are finding the demand for all types of household staff, including Housekeepers, Chefs & Cooks, Nannies, Gardeners & Estate Workers, Butlers, Chauffeurs, Household Managers and Domestic Couples, is ever increasing.
Added benefits of working on rural private estates often include spacious accommodation, either in separate cottages on the estate or paid for apartments in the local village- families and pets are often welcome.
If you would like to hear about some of the rural opportunities we currently have available, visit us at one of our Recruitment Open Days in Oxford or Chipping Norton on Tuesday 31st July, or Cheltenham on Wednesday 1st August 2018. To find out more or book your appointment to see one of our specialist consultants, email your CV to openday@greycoatlumleys.co.uk or call 020 7233 9950.
To view a sample of the jobs we currently have available, click here.
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