With homeowners still eyeing up the countryside, you’d be forgiven for thinking of the Cotswolds as the perfect location for your new humble abode.
Many famous faces have made the quintessentially British region their home, including footballer David Beckham, actor Jilly Cooper and ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson.
Officially designated as one of England’s thirty-three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds is home to some famous places like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden. But it’s a different area which is making airwaves now.
Taynton is an idyllic little village which has seen a surge in demand for those seeking a quieter life.
It is full of classic Cotswold stone buildings with huge gardens and a quaint 14th Century church just moments away.
“Property prices here tend to start at between £500k to £600k,” says Rupert, head of Knight Frank’s Stow-on-the-Wold office. “That’s for a three-bedroom cottage. For a family home with around five bedrooms and a decent garden, you’re looking at closer to £2million.”
As well as being a retiree’s dream, this stunning snippet of English utopia is a very convenient commute for those working in London.
“It takes just 90 minutes to commute from Burford to London,” explains Rupert. “A number of our buyers have bought a home to enjoy at the weekend, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.”
The village has a rich history too; Taynton supplied stone to many of the older colleges of the University of Oxford. Its oldest supply was in 1310 when it was used at Merton College, Oxford, and was also instrumental for Windsor Castle, St Paul’s Cathedral before the 1666 Great Fire and Boris Johnson’s school Eton College.
Lovers of history and beautiful scenery will be more than at home in Taynton, but there is just one drawback – or benefit, depending on your view.
“There is one potential negative,” Rupert admits. “There’s no pub, so if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a pint at the weekends, Taynton may not be for you.”
Nevertheless, it’s not far for those partial to a tipple – the nearby Cotswolds Arms in Burford is a five minute drive, or a half an hour walk for the adventurous among us.
