Property Blog
2nd December 2019
How We Can Benefit You
Valuation is a key part of our professional service at Butler Sherborn. We are lucky to have a talented team with varying specialisations which enables us to provide advice over a range of different property types, for a wide variety of reasons.
Valuation forms part of many a life decision, whether you are looking to buy, sell, diversify or perhaps looking to the future, to succession or the division of assets or assessing potential tax liabilities.
Whether you have a house,... more
26th November 2019
SIX TOASTY HOMES ON THE MARKET FROM BUTLER SHERBORN, FROM £495,000 - £2.4million
Real fires, log burners and inglenook fireplaces – all essential for warding off the worst of winter and ideal for roasting chestnuts and marshmallows or toasting hot buttered crumpets and teacakes, plus the perfect spot for placing that glass of sherry for Santa and a carrot for his reindeer!
And of course, a cosy cottage or farmhouse kitchen with an Aga is just the job for beating the seasonal chill with a slow cooked stew, some baked potatoes, an apple crumble or a few drop scones... more
25th November 2019
With the election due on the 12th December, house building and planning legislation continues to be an important topic of discussion as the parties launch their separate manifestos.
In the continually changing environment of planning legislation, Butler Sherborn offers clear advice and assistance for your home, farm, estate or business.
Do not miss out on the planning potential at your property. With advice available for a range of services from regularising a current use or... more
21st November 2019
‘2019 has been a really good season for Team Way Evening. The arrival of our daughter, Millie, at the start of the season has been an amazing change for us, and she has loved coming all over the country (and Europe), with Sarah and me, during the season.
Eventing, as a sport, is so dependant on horsepower. With horses taking a minimum of 6 years to produce to the top level, it is very hard to keep yourself in a position to be able to compete at the very top, especially as... more
12th November 2019
The Business Development, Food Processing and Rural Tourism Infrastructure grants are now open to new applications. You could be eligible for a Growth Programme grant if your business is carrying out a project to create jobs or bring more money into the rural economy.
There are 3 types of grant:
Business development Food processing Rural tourism infrastructureTotal funding is limited meaning grant applications are competitive as per Round 1.
The grants are funded by... more
6th November 2019
If you are approached by a Developer or a Promoter they could help you unlock significant value in your land BUT make sure you take the advice needed to protect your position.
If you are lucky enough to own land that has potential for future residential or commercial development the increase in land value is likely to be significant. However, the time, costs and skills incurred in obtaining the necessary planning consent is often too great for the landowner to contemplate themselves.
Landowners are often approached by developers or promoters offering terms for Option Agreements or Promotion Agreements in order to help achieve a planning consent and an... more
5th November 2019
The Lamb Inn, Crawley
The Lamb Inn is an enchanting, and stylish, country pub just outside Witney, dating back to the 18th Century and run by Sebastian and Lana Snow. The focus is on the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, accompanied by a straightforward, but eclectic wine list and cask ales, all delivered with a big welcome.
The pub has a series of very cosy interconnecting rooms with a huge fireplace in the bar, low ceilings, beams and a suntrap of a beautiful beer garden with pizza ovens,... more
1st November 2019
In the last few weeks, against expectations, Butler Sherborn has been busier than anticipated. We launched 18 properties; placed 14 under offer; exchanged on 6; completed on 9, and let 8.
Contrary to predictions, in the run up to the 31st October, Butler Sherborn has experienced a hectic October resulting in nine completions. Sellers have been understandably cautious, and reluctant nationally, and in the Cotswolds, to place their properties on the market in the immediate run... more
31st October 2019
The UK government has committed to becoming net-zero in terms of carbon emissions by 2050. The Committee on Climate Change has made a number of recommendations in the report ‘Land Use: Reducing emissions and preparing for climate change’.
The recommendations proposed in the report would result in a structural change of the UK agricultural sector, due to the level of greenhouse gases it currently produces. There are a number of recommendations, including a reduction of up to 3.8 - 4.5... more
22nd October 2019
Four Cotswold barns new on the market with Butler Sherborn from £350,000
A barn conversion makes for a really interesting home, especially if it includes some of the original characteristics such as old roof timbers, flagstones and existing agricultural features like cattle stalls, loose boxes and stable doors.
“Converting a barn makes for an extremely exciting building project,” says Sam Butler, partner of Cotswold property specialist Butler Sherborn. “It gives you the chance to blend old and new in a really contemporary design to create a unique home... more
18th October 2019
The Hare, Milton-under-Wychwood
Located in the golden triangle between Burford, Stow-on-the -Wold and Chipping Norton, The Hare, Milton-under-Wychwood sits in the heart of the Cotswolds. It is a perfect country pub with a cosy bar and oak panelled dining area, and extremely friendly staff.
Matt Dare, is a talented young chef, committed to using fresh local produce. He offers a catholic range of meat and poultry beside the Marine Cuisine board, which boasts fresh fish from the West Country, delivered daily.
... more
10th October 2019
‘what3words’ divides the world into a grid of nearly 60 trillion squares of 3m by 3m, each has its own identifier that can be accessed using a phones GPS.
It can often be difficult to locate places in the countryside with postcodes covering very broad areas. Many places like field entrances, stables or farm buildings have no specific address and many rural businesses, as well as emergency services are now using the technology to pinpoint specific locations.
‘what3words’ has the potential to assist in the day to day operations for rural business, directing visitors to the correct location, contractors to the correct gateway or the... more
10th October 2019
In 2018 it was €1 = £0.89281 a drop of 0.21%. BPS payments for England are set in Euros and then converted into sterling. This is calculated as an average of the exchange rates set in September. Historically the exchange rate in the past has been as low as 67p per Euro.
This rate has the greatest impact on the level of payments if there is no change in the claim from year to year. This exchange rate will be used to convert English entitlement values, greening payment and young farmer payment elements of BPS into sterling and which forms part of the calculation to arrive at 2019 BPS payments.
Despite the drop in the exchange rate, it is arguable that given the current economic and political uncertainty it is more positive than initially feared. The... more
26th September 2019
Situated in that corner of Bampton which features as the village of Downton, in the TV series Downton Abbey, this charming house was originally known as ‘The George & Dragon Inn’.
Converted in the 1990’s to a lovely village house, The Old George, as it is now known, is prominently located in the bustling village of Bampton, within walking distance of all the amenities.
Bampton is an enchanting village in the Thames Valley, between the Cotswolds and the Vale of The White Horse, and was a thriving market town throughout the 18th Century. Its wealth was founded on the wool trade, as evidenced by one of the largest parish churches in the diocese. It is this lovely... more
26th September 2019
A new allocation of farm funding, across the UK has been announced.
Following an independent review led by Lord Bew, the Government will allocate £56.59 million of new funding for farmers up to 2022, and create a more tailored funding formula going forward.
Lord Bew’s review has undertaken a detailed study of the factors which factors should determine the distribution of additional Common Agricultural Policy funding, to ensure payment rates are more equal between EU Member... more
23rd September 2019
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 27th September is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer.
Having a Coffee Morning is the perfect chance to catch up over a cuppa, enjoy some gorgeous treats and help Macmillan be there for people facing cancer.
Let’s get together over a cuppa and cake to raise some money for Macmillan, here are the details for our Coffee Morning:http://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/events/2d18w4e9?Hdr=0
5th September 2019
Six great properties close to excellent Cotswold pubs from £450,000 - £1.5million
“Pub culture has become an increasingly strong pull for buyers moving to the Cotswolds,” says Elizabeth D’Allemagne of Cotswolds property specialist Butler Sherborn. “The standard of food and hospitality is now amongst the best in the country, and we are spoilt for choice. For those moving to a village with a pub, the ‘local’ is one of the best places to meet people and quickly feel part of your new community. Holiday let investors also recognise that villages with good pubs are where... more
5th September 2019
Ben heads to Burghley this week, after an superb double win at Goring Heath Horse Trials on two of his younger prospects, So Smart and Direct Cruz.
This year, Ben rides Jocelyn Rosenberg’s Annsfort Simba in the BYEH 5 Year Old Final at Burghley, having secured an early season qualification on this talented young horse at Burgham International in Northumberland.
In addition, Ben is an integral part of the Radio Burghley commentary team and will be covering all aspects of the Horse Trials over the 4 days. After the British team’s silver medal success at The European Championships in Luhmuhlen at the weekend, the British... more
3rd September 2019
The Bell Inn offers good, simple, pub food together with a straight forward wine list in a charming, cosy and relaxed environment. There is a warm bar area for quiet drinking, a restaurant and delightful beer garden. Peter Creed and Tom Noest took over the pub in 2017, and re-opened, it after refurbishment, to excellent reviews and great acclaim.
Peter ensures that the welcome received by all guests is warm and sincere. The atmosphere is consistently friendly and fun. Tom... more
3rd September 2019
Chimney Farm Barns comprises three beautifully appointed barns in the secluded, tranquil hamlet of Chimney-upon-Thames, set in water meadows running down to the River Thames. The barns were originally the traditional barns serving Chimney Farm. They were sympathetically converted in 2007-2009, taking full account of their unique position within the Nature Reserve of the Berks, Bucks & Oxford Wildlife Trust, and their proximity to the ancient water meadows on this reach of the... more
