residence - onthemarket

The Cotswold Distilling Company

RESIDENCE

PASSIONATEaboutJust what is it that makes

a Spitfire home so special?

DESIGN

THE

ATTRACTION OF VILLAGE LIFE

Not just a physical location, but a state of mind

with a

COTSWOLD TWIST

THE MAGAZINE OF THE SPITFIRE COTSWOLD COLLECTION

The Cotswold Distilling Company

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The Spitfire Cotswold Collection

Just what is it that makes the Cotswolds such a draw for young professionals, families, downsizers and retirees alike? Well, after reading this issue of Residence, the magazine of the Spitfire Cotswold Collection, it should all become clear. Throughout these pages you’ll learn more about this picturesque region’s many and varied attractions; about the exclusive homes Spitfire is creating in four scenic towns and villages, and an insight into what goes into the design, interiors and specification of these distinctive homes. There are also features on downsizing and what the new pensions legislation means for you - and for when you want to relax, articles on what the Cotswold offers in terms of spas and picnics, not forgetting a local gin distillery of renown. So, read on and discover the real character of an area that is historic, beautiful and quintessentially English – and perennially popular.

Contents04 Flying High. The Spitfire Story

06 Welcome to Spitfire

08 The Cotswolds. Rural retreat and elegant chic

10 Downsize without compromise

12 The recipe for the perfect kitchen

16 The Cotswold Collection. An architect’s vision

18 Profile on Stow-on-the-Wold

20 Profile on Chipping Campden

24 Profile on Fairford

26 Profile on Broadway

28 Cotswold inspired interiors

30 Suburu. The perfect choice for Cotswold life

32 Dine al fresco

34 Turning pensions into property

36 Craft distillery

38 Let stresses melt away at a Cotswold Spa

42 The Sport of Kings

Welcome Page12

State-of-the-art technology meets traditional craftsmanship.

Page16

Adopting the local architectural vernacular gives each Spitfire development its unique sense of place.

Page36

How one man created a London dry style gin with a Cotswold twist.

Lower Slaughter

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The Spitfire Cotswold CollectionThe Spitfire Cotswold Collection

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Being picked up in an Isuzu truck should have been a clue. The second was the offices; the foyer decked out as a car showroom with this junction off the M42 very much Japanese in automotive flavour. With the housebuilding part of the business named after the famous World War Two fighter plane, it was all most confusing.

S pitfire Bespoke Homes based out of Coleshill in the West Midlands, won silver in the Best Small Housebuilder category

of the 2015 WhatHouse? Awards. This was recognition from the housebuilding industry that provides credibility and status to this relative newcomer, and elevates the company’s profile within the industry and in the market place. Spitfire plans to capitalize on its success, with sites already operational that will double turnover year-on-year for 2016. In 2017 it has sites with planning consents to deliver more than 250 homes.

This is ambitious stuff and rapid growth for a company that is just five years old. But Spitfire’s parent is IM Properties, part of the £700m IM Group. IM stands for International Motors, which is where the cars come in. This year the IM Group celebrates

its 40th birthday and it is an extraordinary story, founded on the conviction, passion, drive and smart thinking of company chairman Lord Edmiston – originally a man of spare car parts, but now a peer of the realm of considerable means across the worlds of motoring, property and finance –

one of Britain’s most successful businessmen and a generous philanthropist.

The property arm of the company was formed in 1987, building industrial parks and an extensive investment business and it is now, under the stewardship of IM Properties managing director Tim

Wooldridge, one of the largest privately owned property companies in the UK with a £1bn development and investment portfolio across Europe and the USA.

Starting a housebuilder was the next step and for Spitfire, on the land acquisition trail with agile prudency, the bank of dad is considerable and a huge resource in a competitive and fast-moving new homes market. Backed by a developer used to holding commercial assets long term, the company was able to purchase a bank of high-quality sites in quick succession.

So where did it all start? The offer to Bob Edmiston of a position as the financial director of Jensen Motors, one of the great names in British automotive history, seemed the dream job for the former Chrysler treasury clerk in his late 20s. But the company,

owned by Kjell Qvale, was on the cusp of receivership when Edmiston joined and the fledgling FD was tasked with making massive redundancies.Jensen Motors may have been based in West Bromwich, but Frank Sinatra drove an Interceptor. This was a cool brand in hot water.

The business stopped making cars, but those still out there needed parts and services and so Jensen Parts & Service was born with Edmiston, showing steel and vision beyond his years, trading his redundancy money for 15% of the new company. But Edmiston wanted to sell cars too and the first franchise he won was Subaru; the irony of his father having flown Spitfires and Hurricanes against the Japanese in the war not lost on Edmiston as he built a very special and successful relationship with the country. The Spitfire name for the housebuilding business did not however derive from Edmiston’s father’s wartime exploits. “I was driving to see Tim Wooldridge to talk about launching the business and I saw a Spitfire do a roll over the M40,” says David Jervis, Managing Director of the Spitfire Brand.

out Qvale, IM was turning over more than £100m. “The only majority stake is 100%. Anything else is a minority,” says Edmiston with a smile, but he means it. Financial services to car dealers and customers followed, as did property, building up an industrial, commercial and retail portfolio, before adding residential to the mix.

Lord Edmiston’s son Andrew Edmiston is now managing director of the IM Group, driving the car business in particular. “I keep a paternal eye on things and love what I do. It can take 10 years to build a small business or a big business, so why waste time building a small one?” says Lord Edmiston, created a life peer in 2011, but who has now retired from the House of Lords.

“I know how hard to swim, but which way? You have to be aware of the ‘what if?’ Nobody starts a business to fail, but brinkmanship often comes into play and you have to be prepared to lose,” says Edmiston, who lives in the Warwickshire village of Lapworth. He remains passionate about the business, with trust and honesty key tenets and his employees an extended family all getting a turkey for Christmas and a discretionary annual bonus, not to mention generous parties and trips, once taking more than 400 staff to Paris for several days.

Edmiston’s faith is immensely strong and important to him as a committed Christian, with the IM Group and

Edmiston personally donating millions to the Christian Vision charity he set up. He travels the world to witness poverty and hardship first hand, entering countries ravaged by war to help refugees. “I believe in providence, rather than luck. I am in a position to do lots of small things for lots of people and the virtue of generosity is an important one to live by. I want to help make the world a better place.”

By Rupert Bates

THE SPITFIRE STORYFlying High

Lord Edmiston Chairman, IM Group

The Pines, Ascot

The Fairways, Little Aston

“Nobody starts a business to fail, but brinkmanship often comes into play and you have to be prepared to lose

”

“It can take 10 years to build a small business or a big business, so why waste time building a small one?

”Like many a great entrepreneur Edmiston, born in India in 1946, started trading young. Growing up in Kenya he paid for an air rifle to hunt guinea fowl in the bush by removing flowers from roundabouts and selling them door-to-door. He was also into buying and selling used cars at an early age. So the motor trade was clearly for him, although he had an early eye for a property deal too, dabbling in buy-to-let investments in the Midlands.

Subaru was followed by Hyundai and Isuzu and by 1987, with Edmiston 100% owner of the business having bought

There is one vehicle out of place in the Coleshill car park. It is Lord Edmiston’s Range Rover, but whether Spitfire site managers get reasonable fleet deals on their Isuzu trucks he is not divulging. Spitfire likes its mix of the classical and the contemporary, using locally sourced materials, craftsmen and suppliers where possible. You may see a modern twist on the Victorian vernacular at The Fairways in Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield, or a thatched cottage beside a Palladian style villa and refurbished barns at Hall Farm Estate, Knowle, near Solihull. Spitfire has its radar on the south too with projects in the likes of Ascot, Henley-on-Thames and Stow-on-the-Wold. But if you see a vehicle on site that isn’t in the IM franchise portfolio, have a word with his lordship. Rupert Bates is editorial director for Globespan Media’s brands – Showhouse, What House? and Homes Overseas magazine. He has also written for The Sunday Telegraph, is the property editor of The Field magazine and has appeared on TV and radio on a wide variety of international property matters.

The vision and the values

Spitfire is passionate about creating homes with character, carefully crafted to meet the needs of contemporary homeowners, balancing practicality with timeless design that responds to, and blends in with, its surroundings. Key to this is being able to successfully deliver architectural harmony; the balance between the old and new; the classic and contemporary. Whether it’s a city centre apartment, a highly individual barn conversion or a Palladian style villa, you’ll see the same key values inherent in every Spitfire development.

This starts with the choice of a select location; often idyllically positioned within quaint villages and historic towns or strategically positioned within prosperous economic centres. An individual approach to design ensures the homes are ideally suited to their setting. Throughout the whole design and construction process Spitfire ensures the active implementation and promotion of sustainable practices and of course, that the quality of construction reflects and brings to life the care and attention given to the design of each home.

Finally, delivering an exemplary level of customer service remains at the very heart of the Spitfire brand; responding quickly to the requirements of purchasers and offering tailor-made customer care services to ensure their experience is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

1. The Pines, Ascot 2. Hall Farm Estate, Knowle3. The Fairways, Little Aston4. Hall Farm Estate, Knowle

For more information about Spitfire, its current portfolio of new homes and its Customer Care Charter please visit spitfirepg.co.uk

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SPITFIREWelcome to

F rom its headquarters in Warwickshire, Spitfire began making its mark on the discerning market in Central England, and earlier this year it established an additional South East office

in Bracknell, focusing on desirable locations in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.

But what makes Spitfire different is its bespoke approach to the design process, an ethos that has become synonymous with creating quality, beautifully designed homes with a real sense of individuality, and which gives Spitfire a distinct differentiation in an increasingly discerning marketplace.

Although only five years old, Spitfire has already gained a strong reputation for creating award-winning, small-scale developments in premium locations. Backed by its parent company, IM Group Limited, which in addition to being a widely respected international developer of commercial and industrial properties also acts as the official importers for Subaru cars across Europe, Spitfire has soon established itself as a niche developer of homes of character and distinction.

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S pitfire’s Cotswold Collection was born out of a passion to offer stunning new homes that complement its ethos;

to create homes of distinction with individual personalities in some of the UK’s most desirable locations. Homes built with traditional materials sourced locally so that they reflect the character and ambience of the location. With its fine collection of historic and scenic towns and villages the Cotswolds met these criteria perfectly.

But just what is it that makes the Cotswolds such a desirable place to live? For many it’s the area’s inherent picturesque charm. It’s the largest of forty designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England renowned for its unique honey-coloured stone, dry stone walls and gentle, rolling countryside that makes for some of the finest views in the country.

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CHIPPINGCAMPDEN

BROADWAY

STOW-ON-THE-WOLD

FAIRFORD

CHELTENHAM

BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER

WINCHCOMBE

Bredon HillNational Nature

Reserve

CotswoldsArea of Outstanding

Natural Beauty

EVESHAM

CHIPPINGNORTON

CIRENCESTER

ANDOVERSFORD

Badgers Field

Berrington Mill

Leamington Road

Ashton House

Saxon Way

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BURFORD

SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD

ETTINGTON

CARTERTON

WychwoodNational Nature

Reserve

A44

A44

A44

A44

A46

A46

A46

A46

A435

A435

A435

A4019

A436

A436 A436

A417

A417

A417

A429

A429

A429

A429

B4077

B4081

B4081

B4077

A424

A424

A361

A361

A429

A436

A436

A429

A429

A422A3400

A3400

A417A419A419

A419

A417

A417

A417

A4095

B4437

A4095

A361

A361

A361

B4425

B4425

B4425

A419

A429

A429

A433

A40

A40

A40

A40

A40

A435

B4070

M5

M5

M5

B4035

B4068

HidcoteManor Garden

B4450

B4035B4035

B4479

A4104

Ascott-under-Wychwood

Station

Moreton-in-MarshStation

HoneybourneStation

EveshamStation

PershoreStation

Cheltenham SpaStation

Ashchurchfor Tewkesbury

Station

A44

THE COTSWOLDSrural retreat and elegant chic.

The superb selection of primary, secondary, public and state schools throughout the region is a definite attraction for families, especially The Cotswold School which is ideally located a few miles from Stow-on-the-Wold, and Chipping Campden School which are both rated as outstanding by Ofsted. In addition, all of the developments in Spitfire’s Cotswold Collection are within a convenient distance of the well renowned Cheltenham Ladies School, Cheltenham College and Kitebrook Primary School.

When it comes to performance, according to figures from Knight Frank, the Cotswold property market has shown over a 10% increase in values over the last two years and the long-term outlook for the prime market is positive. For now, interest rates remain at record low levels, demand is high, economic growth is steady and mortgage rates are competitive. Research shows that the London market is ‘cooling off’ which means London-based buyers have a great opportunity to purchase in one of the country’s most idyllic and commuter friendly locations.

In this magazine you’ll find profiles of the Spitfire developments in Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway and Fairford; developments offering homes of distinction in quintessential Cotswold locations.

And for all its rustic allure, the region is also perfectly placed for commuting. Located 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. The Cotswolds is also an area that has wide appeal across the whole spectrum of buyers; those who want to enjoy the slower pace of life of semi-rural living and also those for whom the stylish boutiques and restaurants offer a metropolitan ambience in the countryside. Buyers here are just as likely to be drawn from those living locally, those living in London and international buyers. Reasons to move here are as diverse; for a change of scenery and slower pace of living as part of a lifestyle change, a desire for a second home or even a ‘buy to let’ property. According to leading estate agency Knight Frank, research shows the 52% of buyers in the Cotswolds are drawn from London, 20% from the South West and 10% are international buyers.

1. Highworth, Broadway

A selection of houses set in character areas with panoramic views across open fields and Broadway Tower.

2. The Rise, Chipping Campden

Just eight four and five bedroom homes set either side of a traditional lane, within walking distance of the High Street.

3. The Mill, Chipping Campden

Eleven four and five bedroom homes designed around an attractive village green and close to the town centre.

4. Crossways, Stow-on-the-Wold

Twenty spacious three and four bedroom homes in the very heart of this fashionable market town.

5. Stoneways, Fairford

A small enclave of just twelve three, four and five bedroom homes with superb open views across fields to the west.

Upper Swell, near Stow-on-the-Wold

Castle Combe, Cotswolds.

When the time comes to move, remember that you might have to be quite ruthless with your possessions. After deciding what you definitely want to take with you, ask friends and family if there is anything they would like to have, and then divide the rest up between items to sell, take to a charity shop, recycle or simply dispose of.

On an emotional level, try not to be too hard on yourself if you find it difficult to part with your belongings. You may have lived in your home for decades and you will have certainly made lots of memories. Take some time to allow yourself to reminisce, but also try to hold sight of the reason you are downsizing.

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R ecent statistics from The Prudential show that 20% of those aged over 55 plan to downsize their property.

The reasons are varied; children may have long-since flown the nest, leaving parents with more room than needed, this time in life is often viewed as a chance for a fresh start, or an opportunity to free up some equity in order to make the most of retirement.

For many people, the Cotswolds provides the perfect retirement destination, long viewed as an aspirational location offering picture postcard villages and an idyllic and quieter pace of life.

Mark Johnson of leading estate agent Knight Frank commented ‘The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful areas of England, it is the largest of 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, known and loved by people across the world. Living in the Cotswolds you’re in stunning countryside but you have all of the amenities of many fantastic towns and villages. A place in the country appears never to lose its attraction with buyers, and the enduring appeal is enhanced by the continuation of exceptional price differentials especially when compared to London’.

With a wide choice of new homes in varied locations, Spitifre’s Cotswold Collection ticks all the downsizer boxes. The settings have been carefully planned to ensure easy access to local facilities and amenities, road and rail connections

and the surrounding countryside – while the homes themselves have been designed to suit downsizers’ lifestyles. This includes space for entertaining and the provision of en-suites for guests plus of course, the benefits of being able to enjoy a virtually maintenance-free new home with a manageable garden, brand new kitchen and bathroom and a ten-year warranty. Add the lack of stress and uncertainty due to no onward chain and the result is a selection of superb homes that appeal to downsizers whatever their motivation to move.

It’s also important to remember that downsizing doesn’t have to mean downgrading in terms of comfort, convenience or status. All Spitfire homes are carefully designed and built to maximise the use of light and space and feature the latest built-in energy-saving

appliances, plus stylish flooring and wall finishes. Homes blend the latest trends in interior design with the needs for practical everyday use so the result is a superb living environment; a blank canvas to style a home you can enjoy right away.

Unlike older properties, which can be expensive to heat and light, a new Spitfire home is designed to be energy efficient from the ground up. All of the homes feature extensive wall and loft insulation, quality double-glazing, the latest central heating and hot water systems and water efficient dual-flush toilets – all designed to be better for both the environment and your pocket.

With careful consideration and the right preparation, when it comes to downsizing to the Cotswolds, it could be the best move you have ever made.

DOWNSIZEWITHOUT COMPROMISE

Take the time to really think about what you want from your new home; making a checklist of your most important criteria will be a big help when making decisions.

It may be a while since you last had your home valued, so ensure you receive up-to-date valuations from at least three local estate agents.

Be sure to factor in the costs of moving, from estate agents’ fees to stamp duty on your new home, plus solicitors’ bills and the price of hiring a removals van.

Moving on with the next phase of your life...

Downsizing Considerations

A PERFECT KITCHENthe recipe for

“ The perfect balance of state-of-the-art technology and traditional craftsmanship”

W hen it came to designing and specifying kitchens for the many and varied house-types offered in

their Cotswolds Collection, it was important for Spitfire to go to an award-winning UK-based manufacturer, which could offer a range of hand-finished kitchens completely bespoke to individual properties. Such a company was Hatt, a Hartlebury, Worcestershire based company which has been doing just that for 30 years. We spoke to their Business development Manager John Elliott about why not all kitchens are created equal.

SPITFIRE HOMES John, as you well know there’s a huge choice of kitchen

manufacturers out there so what is it that made Hatt kitchens the right fit for Spitfire Bespoke Properties?

JOHN ELLIOTT I think the clue’s in their name. Spitfire wanted a manufacturer

who could offer hand-crafted premium quality kitchens that are made-to-measure for each of their homes. Unlike a lot of our competitors we don’t have anything that’s ‘off the shelf’; we just stock the raw materials and associated constituent parts for manufacture, fabrication and assembly.

S So you’re saying that in effect, all your kitchens are made to order?

J That’s exactly right. We take the measurements of each individual

plot and create a bespoke kitchen. ‘One size fits all’ might lead to economies of scale and speed of production but at the end of the day it ends up as a compromise. The sort of buyers Spitfire attracts want the extra care and workmanship that goes into creating a kitchen that’s just for them.

S Does this mean that a Hatt kitchen is made by hand?

J Yes and no. We have what we feel is the perfect balance of state-of-the-art

technology and traditional craftsmanship.

In our factory you’ll see the latest automated production techniques to ensure structural integrity and consistency, including laser-fusion technology for top-quality panel and door edging, then all cabinets are assembled by hand using traditional glue and dowel methods.

Our ultra-modern kitchens are crafted in an effort to achieve an almost mirror-like finish on our high gloss lacquered doors. These can made to be handleless, creating designs usually seen in high-end retails showrooms, not necessarily taken by house builders due to the added costs and technical abilities required to install correctly.

S But what about contemporary or traditional kitchens. Are they

part of your range too?

J Absolutely. Another of the aspects of our business that appealed to

Spitfire was the range of kitchens we are able to design and manufacture. Many customers do want the slick ultra-modern designs but for those who have bought in to the aspirational Cotswold lifestyle we also produce very contemporary-looking kitchens that feature traditional hand-painted Shaker-style doors. These require extremely labour intensive processes to achieve a smooth un-blemished, hand-painted finish, again usually reserved for high-end retail projects and not house builders.

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S They say that the devil’s in the detail. Is this an ethos

that Hatt subscribes to as well?

J Absolutely. You can see it in features like our soft-closing

doors. Rather than fit a separate dampener we fit this mechanism directly into the hinge. It looks cleaner and more high-end. At the end of the day it’s a small feature but it demonstrates our attention to detail. Even things like the paint finishes and designer handles; these were created solely for Spitfire to further enhance the bespoke nature of their homes.

S Has the market changed in the time you’ve been

working in the industry?

J Very much so. The three basic kitchen styles, modern,

contemporary and traditional are still just as popular now as they’ve always been but customers have become used to better design, quality and style in many other aspects of their life like the cars they drive or the phone they use, so their expectations have increased. There also seems more of an appreciation of the old adage, ’You get what you pay for’ so people

are prepared to pay for a kitchen like ours that features top brand appliances, is better built and will last.

S And finally, what does the future hold working with Spitfire?

J Basically keeping doing what we do best. That’s monitoring and

reflecting the latest trends and ensuring we continue designing kitchens that are generous in size and built to the highest standards possible, which combine practicality and regardless of style, are stunning to look at. If we can keep on doing that we’ll be around for another thirty years!

“ Aspects like the paint finishes and designer handles were created solely for Spitfire”

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// Traditional stone and architectural detailing

// Painted Timber framed windows

// Bespoke hand-painted kitchens

// Villeroy and Boch sanitaryware

// Porcelanosa ceramics

// Oak veneer internal doors

// Wood burning stoves

// Data and HD cabling

// Contemporary LED lighting

// Underfloor heating to ground floors

All the homes in the Cotswold Collection enjoy Spitfire’s signature specification

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the building material had come from.The towns and villages chosen for Spitfire‘s Cotswold Collection all grew wealthy from the prosperity of the wool industry which along with limestone excavation, really shaped the Cotswolds. At first the wool was exported raw to Europe but later it was manufactured into cloth; a major industry that dominated the English economy for several centuries. The wealth generated by this trade can today be seen in many striking buildings including the ‘wool’ churches that were endowed in many settlements with particularly fine examples in Fairford and Chipping Campden. Great Markets also sprang up all over the Cotswolds and Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway are fine examples.

As architects for these developments we looked hard at each of the individual locations to understand their setting within their surroundings. This then influenced the individual design solutions proposed for each site. The new homes look to offer a modern housing solution with a high specification that provides all of today’s requirements whilst at the same time being harmonious with its surroundings. In other words it seeks to be a modern interpretation of the Cotswold Vernacular style.

As a result the site layouts follow the traditional organic form with the spaces between the houses being as important as the buildings themselves. As part of that setting estate fencing and open spaces combine with the simple built forms of the buildings that include the gables, steep pitched roofs and details. These features, when combined with the dry stone walls, give each site its own unique sense of place whilst at the same time confirming without a doubt that it’s firmly rooted in the Cotswolds.

N owhere in Britain has the underlying rock had such a dominant effect on the landscape

and architecture as in the Cotswolds. Built mainly from stone, which was dug from local quarries, the towns and villages of the Cotswolds have created an architectural style that is unique. This simplified style known as ‘Cotswold Vernacular’ has dominated every building whether a manor or a barn for centuries and despite Renaissance, Georgian and Victorian influences, it has survived.

A key element of this style is the essentially functional nature of the buildings, which appear to grow out of the ground with sturdy walls and steep pitched roofs. The main features seen time and time again are simple building forms with gables, square chimney stacks, dormers and small windows. Variations evolved within the basic formula giving each building its own identity. The settlement layouts were generally not regular in form but tended to be more organic. Differences in size, stature and embellishment of individual buildings sit comfortably alongside each other blending into the limestone landscape from where

Homes in harmony with their surroundings.

Mike Lapworth of award-winning Birmingham-based Lapworth Architects is the man behind the design of all the developments within Spitfire’s Cotswold Collection. Here he talks about the inspirations and influences behind the exceptional designs and how they remain sympathetic to the area’s unique architectural style.

The adoption of the local architectural vernacular gives each site its own unique sense of place whilst at the same time confirming without a doubt that it’s firmly rooted in the Cotswolds.

AN ARCHITECT’S VISIONThe Cotswold Collection

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Stow-on-the-WoldProfile on

T he highest town in the Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold offers an enticing mix of history, splendour and sophistication. Once an important sheep market in the 18th Century, the town’s reputation today is build upon a mix of fashionable restaurants, boutiques

and galleries that attract a distinctly chic clientele. Stow life centres around its magnificently elegant and imposing market place, rich in mellow Cotswold honey-coloured stone with high-walled alleys leading off in all directions. Here, it’s almost impossible to resist browsing for antiques, crafts, high-end fashion and exotic treats from the deli or fresh local produce from the farmer’s market. Bistros, brasseries, restaurants, tea shops and cosy country pubs abound. Quintessentially English, undeniably beautiful and shamlessly chic, Stow-on-the-Wold offers the very finest in elegant Cotswolds country living.

Places of interest

Town centre

Chastleton House and GardenThe star of BBC’s Wolf Hall, this grandJacobean country house stands as asymbol of once great wealth and power.

01494 755560 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chastleton-house

Sezincote House Amidst 4,500 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside, discover a 200-year-old Mogul Indian palace with its own temples, grottoes and water features.

01386 700422 www.sezincote.co.uk

Cotswold Farm Park All the family will love this working farm specialising in rare breeds, while children can help bottle-feed the lambs and kids.

01451 850307 www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection A captivating museum that’s home to vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and motoring curiosities – plus a century of toys.

01451 821255 www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk

Bourton Model Railway Exhibition Enter the world of your childhood dreams with some of Britain’s finest model railway layouts.

01451 820686 www.bourtonmodelrailway.co.uk

Chastleton House

Crossways

Located at the intersection of eight roads, the most important being the Roman Fosse Way leading across the Wolds to Cirencester, Crossways is a bespoke development of twenty new Cotswold properties.

Located on Union Street within the very heart of Stow-on-the-Wold it has been designed to replicate the characterful stone streets so typical of this ancient market town. Spitfire Bespoke Homes have looked to the timeless Cotswold Vernacular to comfortably

integrate the design into the historic market town; materials include Cotswold stone, blue slate, traditional timber windows and timber cladding.

Crossways, Union Street, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1BUFor further information call our selling agents Knight Frank on: 01789 206967

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Chipping CampdenProfile on

K nown as the ‘Jewel of the North Cotswolds’, Chipping Campden is a small, historic wool merchants’ market town that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Its elegantly terraced high street dates mainly from the 14th to 17th centuries and is

officially designated as a conservation area in order to preserve its beauty and historical importance; in fact, over 270 town buildings are similarly officially listed. The High Street, characterised by its attractive honey-coloured limestone buildings, offers a sophisticated selection of shops, pubs and restaurants, with the emphasis on fine dining, artisan foods and arts & crafts. The surrounding countryside has been awarded the status of an area of outstanding natural beauty and offers some of the best local walks, cycle ways and bridleways. The town’s annual International Music Festival and Literature Festival ensures that culture lovers are also well-catered for.

Hidcote Manor Garden One of the best-known and most influential Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain with stunning ‘outdoor rooms’ created by linked hedges, rare trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders.01386 438333 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote

Batsford Arboretum Idle the day away on gorgeous nature walks amidst 2,900 trees set in 55 beautiful acres complete with streams and water features.01386 701441 www.batsarb.co.uk

Court Barn Museum An award-winning celebration and exploration of the Arts & Crafts movement celebrating the town’s designers and craftspeople who achieved a national and international reputation.01386 841951 www.courtbarn.org.uk

Kiftsgate Court Gardens Created by three generations of women gardeners this breathtaking traditional English garden features fourteen diverse areas including stunning bluebell woods.01386 438777 www.kiftsgate.co.uk

All Things Wild Nature Centre This family friendly centre offers a fun, interactive and educational setting with animals in an environments kept as close to their natural habitat as possible. 01386 833083 www.allthingswild.co.uk

Places of interest

Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Chipping Campden High Street

The Rise

Approached through stone piers The Rise features eight individually designed properties set either side of a traditional lane and within easy walking distance of the town centre. The

houses will be built in Cotswold stone from local quarries and in the local Cotswold vernacular. As the lane rises gently the countryside views begin to open to the south and east. The four and five bedroom homes feature large

bespoke kitchens and family rooms complete with bi-fold doors to maximise light and space.

The Rise, George Lane, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6ELFor further information call our selling agents Knight Frank on: 01789 206967

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The Mill

Adevelopment of just eleven detached houses, The Mill has been designed around a village green and is located just a short distance past St James church, close to the town centre.

The use of Cotswold stone that characterises Chipping Campden can be seen throughout the development and each house has a distinctive Cotswold style whether it’s a parapet detail, twin gables or a canopy porch. These spacious four and five bedroom homes have been designed for families and entertaining with large open plan living areas.

The Mill, Station Road, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6ELFor further information call our selling agents Knight Frank on: 01789 206967

FairfordProfile on

Located on the River Coln, and dominated by the beautifully proportioned ‘wool’ church of St Mary, Fairford is a thriving ancient English market town which retains much of its old-worlde charm but combines this with a host of modern facilities.

The town’s main street is lined with 17th and 18th century stone houses, while the many inns are a reminder of Fairford’s historic isignificance as an important coaching town. There are relaxing walks to be had along the River Coln which is home to a rich diversity of wildlife while the picturesque countryside, particularly to the north, offers the perfect opportunity for riding, cycling, walking and family picnics. Aside from playing host to a world-famous air display, Fairford is also home to an enchanting annual steam rally and the long-running Fairford Festival.

Cotswolds Water Park 150 lakes set over 40 square miles offering everything from angling and sailing to cycling and birdwatching.

01285 868096 www.waterpark.org

Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT)The world’s largest and most thrilling military air show, staged every July at nearby RAF Fairford.

www.airtattoo.com

Cotswolds Wildlife Park & GardenFrom lions to lizards and from penguins to primates, meet them all in a lovely English country house setting.

01993 823006 www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Bowmoor Sailing Club A family-friendly club just to the south east of Fairford offering great sailing and racing facilities.

www.bowmoor.co.uk

Bowmoor Sailing Club

Fairford village

Places of interest

S et on the northern fringe of Fairford with open views to the west, this select number of stone properties built in the Cotswold style has been designed to create a small village grouping. A pleasant green lane with mature

trees and hedges has been retained and creates two separate enclaves, five large detached with frontage to the lane and open countryside views and seven 3 and 4 bedroom properties to the south accessed from a private winding road.

The use of stone boundary walls and iron estate style fencing complement the simple but traditional architectural detailing. Internally the properties feature Spitfires signature specifications that provide a contemporary twist to traditional design.

Stoneways, Fairford, Gloucestershire GL7 4GZFor further information call our selling agents Perry Bishop on:01285 655355

Stoneways

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BroadwayProfile on

S ometimes referred to as the ‘Show Village of England’, Broadway sits amidst stunning Cotswolds countryside decorated with Bluebell woods and criss-crossed by ancient lanes. At the heart of the village lies one of the longest high streets in England, enriched with superb

examples of Tudor, Stuart and Georgian architecture. Lined with gentle horse chestnut trees, here you’ll find a good mix of boutiques and independent shops and a good choice of traditional country pubs, tea houses and restaurants. The village has its own golf course and cricket club and horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, walking and cycling are other popular pursuits. There are plans for the village to get its own station on the wonderful Heritage Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway, bringing the age of steam back to Broadway and offering direct rail connections with Cheltenham Racecourse.

The Ashmolean Museum BroadwayPriceless treasures and object d’art from the world-famous Ashmolean, displayed in the elegant 17th century Tudor House.

01386 859047 www.ashmoleanbroadway.org

Broadway Tower Country ParkCapability Brown’s famous tower with museums on two floors in an attractive country park setting.

01386 852390 www.broadwaytower.co.uk

Gordon Russell Design MuseumThis unique museum celebrates the work of the pioneering 20th century furniture designer, Sir Gordon Russell.

01386 854695www.gordonrussellmuseum.org

Cheltenham Racecourse Home of the world famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cheltenham plays host to some of the best National Hunt racing action.

01242 513014 www.cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk

Places of interest

Broadway village

Broadway Tower Country Park

aturally divided into two parts by the retained field hedge, Highworth offers superb views towards Willersley Hill and Fish Hill which is marked by Broadway Tower, the Cotswold’s highest castle,

along with stunning views across open fields.The traditionally-styled houses are laid out in a mixture of terraces and detached properties and are integrated with feature squares and open spaces. All homes feature reconstituted

Cotswold stone, slate roofs and traditional window styles echoing the historic architectural style of Broadway.

Highworth, Leamington Road, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7EB For further information call our selling agents Hayman-Joyce on: 01386 858510

NHighworth

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T he whole process started by undertaking comprehensive research into the various areas and the potential buyers. Managing Director Tracy Baker explained, ‘This meant lots of site visits,

driving around the areas and looking for local points of interest or features which might give us design cues that we can relate back to the interior style whether it’s fabrics, paint, wall coverings, furniture or accessories. We spent a lot of time talking to Spitfire and understanding their purchaser profiles. How we theme and furnish a room will depend on whether the buyers are young professionals, families or retirees, for example.

Of course, underpinning all these considerations is a clear understanding of what exactly is ‘Cotswold style’? Senior Interior Designer Melanie Miller explains: ‘It’s very much a traditional English country look and feel with features like a complementary mix of softer painted tones and rich, warm colours, floral patterns or checks on wallpapers, an eclectic mix of different textured or embroidered fabrics and the considered use of wood panelling. Ultimately though, we’re looking at a look and feel that pays homage to the tradition, beauty and creative roots of the area whilst offering distinctively chic, contemporary living.

‘It’s important that the various show homes capture and expresses the whole lifestyle Spitfire is trying to conjure and

which will appeal to buyers. In the case of The Cotswolds Collection we were looking to create very much an aspirational feel. Regardless of the type of property all the show homes are designed to evoke a feeling of traditional family values and rural life, somewhere you can sink into chair and cozy up to a log fire but with all the practicalities you associate with a well-designed, stylish new home.’

It’s also very important that show homes feel ‘authentic’. This means including elements that make it feel like a real functioning house, not a sterile, artificial environment. For example, one of the show homes includes a living room designed around a feature log fireplace with bespoke built-in bookcases designed to blend in with the walls - to create a real, homely feel. Another, with an appeal to downsizers, features twin beds in one of the bedrooms – a guest room for grandchildren to stay. Elsewhere inspiration was taken from the authors, musicians and designers like William Morris who have intimate connections with the Cotswolds, using these as a springboard for music-themed spaces and an author-inspired study.

Tracey sums up the partnership between Spitfire and The Open Door Company. ‘Whatever age the buyers and whether they are moving within the Cotswolds or are new to the region, our ultimate aim was the same; creating interiors that inspire, excite and surprise - but most importantly, give purchasers a sense of ‘my home’ rather than show home.

“One of the skills of a good interior

designer is not just their understanding of the latest and local trends, but their ability to interpret these fashions into a unique look and feel for each interior - each totally in tune with the lifestyle

needs and aspirations of potential buyers; how they will use the space on an everyday basis, or for informal or

formal entertaining, for example.

”

Among the show homes within Spitfire’s Cotswold Collection you’ll see some of the following careful detailing:

// Wallpaper that includes a subtle print floral wallpaper with a soft, watercolour effect, and another with a design that mimics wood paneling and which makes use of a traditional picture rail painted a slightly darker finish to create a break and give height to the ceiling.

// Feature chairs in a contrasting wool upholstery to the accompanying sofa, brought together by a large chunky twist rug.

// A bedroom featuring subtle striped fabric for a Roman blind with a complementary woolen bow detail also used for cushions and bedding.

// Combination fabrics; the use of traditional floral prints alongside modern textures.

// Cotswold inspired landscape images to help bring the outside in

// Contrasting bright floral pattern upholstery used on chunky oak furniture.

// Tongue-and-groove paneling in the kitchen painted in a bespoke shade to match the kitchen cabinets.

// A combination of textured plain fabrics with a textured sheer panel to add depth to curtains.

INTERIORSCotswold inspired

In just five years the Warwick-based interior design consultancy The Open Door Company has established an enviable reputation for creating inspiring show home interiors that fire the imagination of potential homebuyers. Working closely with

Spitfire since its 2010 inceptioan, one of their latest projects has been designing and fitting out the varied Cotswolds Collection show homes.

One of the fastest growing property development companies has more in common with one of the most

innovative car brands than you’d think. The link? Both Spitfire Bespoke Properties and Suburu UK are both part of the successful multinational IM Group headed by Robert Edminston, Baron Edmiston of Lapworth. Established in 1976 the company was awarded the Suburu franchise a year later. Today, its key markets are automotive, property and car finance and with partnerships worldwide the organization continues to go from strength to strength.

SUBARUThe perfect choice for cotswold life

it’s Suburu’s renowned ability to go anywhere and do anything that makes it popular among Cotwolds drivers. For business or pleasure the marque offers motorists a range of highly-capable and well engineered All-Wheel drive models. Given the all-condition nature of motoring in the Cotswolds it’s no wonder that Suburu often uses it for the UK launch of new models. Often with horse trailer in-tow or travailing across a muddy field, Subaru Foresters, Legacys and Outbacks are a common sight on lanes here. Not wanting to rest on its engineering laurels, in 2015 Subaru

All-wheel drive gives the XV off-road ability its peers can only dream about. It’s light too and with a range of fuel efficient Boxer petrol or diesel engines. Recent revisions include new factory-fit sat nav and audio systems and revised suspension for an even smoother, more supple ride.

If you value excellent customer care combined with good technical knowledge, the Subaru dealer network is one of the best around. Consistently ranked highly by owners, it scores well in the highly influential Auto Express Driver Power survey. Subaru has a substantial presence across this beautiful area of the country, with dealerships in Cheltenham (John Wilkins Cars), Swindon (Simpsons of Swindon) and Chippenham (MRG Subaru). For more information on the Subaru range and to find the nearest dealers in the Cotswolds visit www.subaru.co.uk.

dog owners everywhere. It’s Subaru’s most popular car in the UK and a true ‘go-anywhere’ SUV. The Forester has received a range of recent upgrades including a higher quality cabin and a new 7.0-inch touchscreen navigation systems. Fitted with permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard, the Forester offers a range of highly-efficient petrol and diesel engines, as well as a smooth Lineartronic transmission or six-speed manual gearbox.

For those who like their crossovers a little more compact, the XV should be the car of choice. It might be compact in size but the XV is big on ability both on and off road. Unlike its competition, the XV is much more than a town car to be used for school run duties. While it will cruise round town with aplomb, Subaru’s stylish SUV also has one of he highest ground clearances in the class which along with symmetrical

eyes’ for drivers that monitors the road and traffic ahead for potential hazards. EyeSight employs stereo colour cameras to detect the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, and even cyclists in the road and includes features such as Pre-collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure & Sway Warning, Pre-collision Steering Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Subaru’s newest model to their range is the ultra-practical but sporting Levorg GT tourer. With a practical estate car body, underpinned by Subaru’s highly-stable Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive powertrain and a new turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, the Levorg combines a compact exterior size with generous interior space. The Levorg, with its low ride height, signature Subaru bonnet scoop and advanced chassis is the perfect sport tourer for keen drivers to tackle Cotswolds country roads. The Forester, long considered the backbone of the range has always been a favourite of the equestrian set and

launched a pair of brand new models as well as introducing significant upgrades across its existing range.

Launched in the UK earlier this year to widespread acclaim, Subaru’s new flagship, the all-new Outback boasts a modern design, successfully combining estate car practicality with the all-road capabilities of a high-riding SUV - with a high-quality and refined cabin and the latest infotainment system and safety technologies. The Outback adopts Subaru’s very latest ‘EyeSight’ collision avoidance system - a ‘second pair of

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Once only reserved for wealthy hunters and country people out on their estates, it was the Victorians who popularised the picnic with writers like Dickens, Trollope and Jane Austen all featuring the picnic in their books.

T he best way to take advantage of beautiful, warm days, whether in Spring, Summer or Autumn, is with a tasty picnic eaten in a lovely al fresco setting.

There’s something about eating outdoors, sitting on a blanket, that makes food taste slightly more delicious. And the perfect picnic will include something different for everyone – it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be, homemade or shop bought, eaten with fingers or forks.Whether you’re planning to have a day at the beach, a hike followed by a meal, or just know of a beautiful Cotswolds location where you want to spend some time, here some ideas of what you could pack in your next picnic.

dineAL FRESCO

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The Spitfire Cotswold Collection

Top picnic hotspots

CheltenhamTry The Devil’s Chimney on Leckhampton Hill with lovely views across Cheltenham & Gloucester. Or take a trip to Dowdeswell with scenic woodland and reservoir or Pittville Park where you can njoy your picnic with views of the lake.

Cotswolds (Pictured above)At Bourton on the Water you can dangle your feet in the River Windrush and watch the world go by or go to the country park at Neigh Bridge which is found on the edge of Somerford Keynes village. The Sherbourne Estate has hundreds of picnic locations and you can explore the trails until you find your ideal spot or visit the National Trust’s Hidcote Manor Garden which has a picnic spot free to use for non-members as well as members.

GloucesterRobinswood Hill Country Park provides 250 acres of open countryside and nature trails while Westgate Leisure Area - Boating lake, pitch ‘n’ putt, walks and picnic area.

Location is paramount and in the Cotswolds there is a never-ending supply of parks, riversides, hilltops, and woodland, all providing glorious picnicking opportunities.

Stroud ValleysThe Coaley Peak Picnic Site, is 4 miles south west of Stroud and has 12 acres of grassland with panoramic views over the Severn Vale while Painswick Beacon is an open upland area with fine views and walks. At Woodchester Park you can thread your way through the woods and find a quiet spot overlooking one of the lakes.

Tewkesbury & Severn ValeVictoria Gardens, Tewkesbury, are bordered by the river Mill Avon, which is full of swans, ducks and kingfishers. At one end of the garden is Abbey Mill with its working water wheel and beyond the Mill Avon lies The Ham, a pretty meadow area. Take a walk from Tewkesbury along the Severn Way towards Odda’s Chapel. There are many spots along the way to stop and have a picnic.

Crusty bread and artisan rolls - Hobbs House Bakery was established in the Cotswolds in the 1920s and is a true family business with five generations of baking experience. www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk

Honey - Honey Blossom Farm Ltd is a family company producing the renowned Fosse Way Honey brand. The range includes jams, marmalades, chutneys and mustard.www.fossewayhoney.co.uk

Piquant goats’ cheese - Since 1983 Cerney Cheese has been lovingly handmade in Gloucestershire from locally-sourced goats’ milk.www.cerneycheese.com

Apple juices and cider - 10 different varieties are made including a thirst-quenching cloudy apple juice and cider too.www.haylesfruitfarm.co.uk

Decadent chocolate - The Cotswold Chocolate Company makes delicious, fresh, handmade artisan chocolates, using only natural ingredients.www.cotswoldchocolatecompany.com Finishing touches – Selsley Foods is a family run business offering a selection of imaginative chutneys, preserves, condiments and sauces. www.selsleyfoods.com

Smoked meat, game or fish - Upton Smokery specialises in smoking meat, game and fish by traditional methods.www.uptonsmokery.co.uk

Flavourful ice cream - Winstones Ice Cream is one of the longest running, and most highly awarded ice cream producers in the country with flavours from the traditional to Honeycomb Crunch, Rhubarb Crumble and Champagne and Elderflower Sorbet. www.winstonesicecream.co.uk

Flavours from the Cotswolds

for a perfect picnic

PENSIONSinto property

You’ve probably read or heard a lot about the changes to the pension regulations over the past few months. This is all due to the new UK ‘pension freedom’ which came into effect on 6th April 2015, and which represents the greatest change to private pension regulations for a generation.

Turning

With greater pension freedom comes a raft of opportunities for investing a lump sum

I ntroduced by the government to provide greater flexibility and choice for retirees, individuals will now be able to access their pension

savings from age 55. This means that from age 55 you can access your pension pot, withdrawing as much as you want to, when you want, subject to tax. Figures from the Financial Conduct Authority showed that nearly 205,000 people took advantage of the new rules in the first six months, withdrawing over £2.7 billion pounds.

But what exactly does pension freedom mean? Well, the answer is just that; freedom to release equity from your fund in a variety of different ways. You can leave your pension pot as is and draw a monthly income, you could take the whole fund as cash in one go, you could make withdrawals as and when you want to, investing the remaining balance, or you can take a lump sum now and then start drawing a monthly income at a later date. What’s more, there are absolutely no restrictions on how you use the money.

With greater freedom comes a raft of opportunities for investing a lump sum and of course, many people choose to invest in property. When anyone mentions investing in property it’s usual to think about the buy to let rental market and yields. While this would be considered a sound investment in the Cotswolds, more people are taking a long-term and prudent view and purchasing a second home or holiday home now, which they could eventually retire to, and enjoy a great quality of life in some of the country’s most attractive and quaint villages.

Buying off plan means you can secure the home of your choice early and also take advantage of pre-completion prices in what is currently a very healthy and rising market. Add in all of the benefits of a maintenance-free new home including a ten-year warranty, energy saving features plus the lack of anxiety and uncertainty from having no onward chain and there’s a strong argument to invest in a new Spitfire home.

Mark Johnson of leading estate agents Knight Frank commented: “We have seen increasing demand for quality new homes in prime Cotswold locations such as Stow-on-the-Wold. This is coming from informed buyers looking at their future from a number of perspectives such as lifestyle, the opportunity to join a thriving community, accessibility to shops and facilities and a sound financial investment. Spitfire has spotted a gap in the market and has acquired a number of small bespoke Cotswold sites. Given their thoughtful designs, quality product, the exceptional position of the sites and buyers greater access to funds, we have no doubt that demand will outstrip supply.”

Of course, an article like this can only cover generalities of the subject so it’s important to seek expert advice to ensure you plan well for your eventual retirement. For further information go to: www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk

The popularity of Cotswold homes means that demand will outstrip supply

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“We are working tirelessly until we can make whisky every bit as good as our neighbours to the north, and a refreshing London dry style gin with a Cotswolds twist worthy of the name of this beautiful region” CEO Daniel Szor

T he Cotswolds Distillery in Stourton is the brainchild of CEO Daniel Szor. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

famous for its horticultural heritage and set in five acres of beautiful Cotswolds countryside, the state-of-the-art distillation equipment is now running seven days a week to create fine spirits.

Dan came to the Cotswolds from London with his wife Katia and daughter Emily to spend family time at the weekends in an old barn, just down the road from where the distillery now sits. What started as a weekend love affair with this beautiful region soon turned into a passion, so much so that Dan and his family decided to leave London and live full-time in the Cotswolds.

Dan was looking for a way out of his 30-year career in finance, to create something with his own hands and make a difference in the community. He’d been a whisky-lover for over 20 years, and looking out of his window one day he saw a field of golden barley waving in the breeze – and that was how the idea of the Cotswolds Distillery was born.

Dan explained: “We built the distillery to mirror the beauty of our artisanal spirits, showcasing the rich agricultural nature of the Cotswolds.

“We’ve also made a big investment in the beauty of our land, re-planting native trees, shrubs, flowers and even botanicals to be incorporated into our gin recipes.”

Living just a few fields away from the distillery Dan believes in being a valued member of the local community, committed to being as clean and green as possible, so the company makes certain that production waste is recycled.The spent grains of barley from the mash go to feed Cotswold cattle, and the other co-products created by the distilling process are turned into biogas at a nearby

For more information visit:www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

The Cotswolds is full of rich history, stunning scenery, charming old towns, great hotels and gourmet dining. Everything but a working distillery... until now.

Craftdistillery

anaerobic digester. The 80 solar panels on the warehouse roof go a long way to powering all the distilling equipment. Dan added: “We’re onto something exciting, and we know it. We’ve created the first craft distillery in this most beautiful part of Britain, using the best local ingredients to lovingly create world-

class spirits, but that’s not enough... We are working tirelessly until we can make whisky every bit as good as our neighbours to the north, and a refreshing London dry style gin with a Cotswolds twist worthy of the name of this beautiful region.”

L iving in today’s technological world has enormous benefits compared to years gone by. We can have a face-to-face

conversation with a friend in Australia. We can find out the answer to any question thanks to the worldwide web. We can order anything we like to come to our home the very next day.

But as we all know, our fast-paced lifestyle comes with its own set of problems. With technology all around us, it can become difficult for us to truly switch off; to relax and just be. If that sounds like you, then a trip to one of the Cotswolds’ many spas could be just what you need.

There is a huge range of beautiful venues to choose from in the area, each with its own brand of unique charm to make sure you have a relaxing and unforgettable experience.

spaCotswoldsLET LIFE’S STRESSES MELT AWAY AT A

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Barnsley HouseAt Barnsley House you can enjoy time in the hydrotherapy pool, or relax in the first-floor lounge taking in glorious views of the surrounding countryside – a truly idyllic way to spend an afternoon.Barnsley, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 5EEwww.barnsleyhouse.com

Wyck Hill House Hotel & SpaIncluding six treatment rooms, including one dual room, plus a steam room, sauna and a relaxation area. Offering guests an idyllic and relaxing retreat, with a selection of treatments available. Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1HY www.wyckhillhousehotel.co.uk

Cotswold House Hotel and SpaSet in a Regency stone property with two acres of gardens. The award-winning spa offers holistic Decléor treatments for both men and women plus a hydrotherapy pool and an aromatic steam room.The Square, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6ANwww.cotswoldhouse.com

Calcot ManorThis manor house dates back to the 14th century and is set in 22 acres of countryside. The spa’s pièce de résistance is an outdoor hot tub that is surrounded by lavender and overlooking an open wood fire.Near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YJwww.calcotmanor.co.uk

Whatley ManorFeatures at this spa include thermal cabins complete with a calidarium, steam grotto, laconium and sauna. There’s also a tepidarium with heated stone recliners, plus salt scrub and experience showers.Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0RBwww.whatleymanor.com

Dormy HouseThe spa offers clean Scandinavian design with cosy Cotswolds stone, in a former farmhouse built in the 17th century. Treatments use the Temple Spa range of products, aimed at reducing stress.Willersey Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7LF www.dormyhouse.co.uk

Kings Head HotelA spa set within a boutique hotel in the centre of Cirencester. Includes four subterranean treatment rooms, with skincare products from the Lubatti range and Leighton Denny for manicures.24 Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 2NRwww.kingshead-hotel.co.uk

Montpellier ChapterThis spa is described as a ‘subterranean haven from the outside world’. Treatments are given using products from the British skincare brand REN, which uses only natural ingredients. Bayshill Road, Montpellier, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3ASwww.themontpellierchapterhotel.com

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KINGSOFSPORTTHE

600BC

The first recorded game took place between the Turkomans and the Persians – the Turkomans won.

4th Century King Sapoor II of Persia learned to play, aged 7

7th century Polo spreads from China to Japan

16th century The Moguls were largely responsible for taking the game from Persia to the East and by now it was established in India

1850s British tea planters discovered the game on the Burmese border with India

1862

The Calcutta Polo Club was formed by British tea planters

1869Hockey on horseback is played on Hounslow Heath

1875First official match played in Argentina

1876 Polo arrives in Australia

1888 Handicaps introduced in America

1910 Handicaps introduced in England and India

1919

Height restrictions on polo ponies abolished

T he Cotswolds hosts some of the most famous Horse Eventing and Trials including showjumping, cross country and dressage competitions in the UK

and the World - The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, Badminton Horse Trials, Blenheim International Horse Trials and Hartpury Horse Trials.

There are also popular polo clubs including the Beaufort Polo Club and Cirencester Polo Club as well as a regular calendar of horse racing at Bath, Cheltenham, and Stratford Upon Avon with Warwick and Worcester close by.

And you will be in good equestrian company as one of the world’s most successful racehourse trainers Jonjo O’Neill has his training facility - Jackdaws Castle, just outside Stow on the Wold and Gatcombe Park, spectacular home of the Princess Royal and her family, hosts the The Festival of British Eventing.

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, competed in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and her daughter Zara Phillips was part of the British Equestrian team at the London 2012 Olympics. Zara is the reigning Eventing World Champion and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year by the British viewing public in 2006 - an award her mother won in 1971.

Described as ‘trying to play golf during an earthquake’, the popular equestrian sport of polo has a distinguished history.

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Bespoke homes where character comes as standard

Our bespoke approach to housebuilding enables us to create homes of distinction in prime locations with an outstanding level of customer service. From traditional family homes to characterful barn conversions or avant-garde townhouses, you’ll see this ethos in all of our superb developments.

Developing in these prime locations

• Berkshire: Ascot• Birmingham: Harborne• Buckinghamshire: Gerrard’s Cross• Gloucestershire: Broadway, Cheltenham,

Chipping Campden, Fairford, Stow-on-the-Wold

Residential Developerof the Year

Best Small Housebuilder

• Oxfordshire: Henley on Thames• Somerset: Clevedon• Warwickshire: Gaydon, Shottery, Welford-on-Avon• West Midlands: Knowle

www.spitfirepg.co.uk

Hall Farm Estate, Knowle

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