Property Blog
23rd May 2023
Berrybank Park is situated in the heart of the Cotswolds at Oddington, near Stow-on-the-Wold. This small estate overlooks the Evenlode Valley and, with its views of a glorious expanse of sky rising over the distant treeline, it’s a beautiful and inspiring place.
Built into the natural slope is a grass-terraced Amphitheatre. Now in it’s third season, The Amphitheatre offers a charming, intimate space in which to enjoy an eclectic range of theatre in the open air.
Alongside is the Pavilion, its Indian-inspired, circular form created from an Ash frame covered by canvas. It is ideal for screenings, orchestral works and parties, as well as providing cover in the case of extreme bad weather. Situated close to the estate’s entrance, the existing... more
16th May 2023
Glorious Gloucestershire Gardens - finally exploding into life!
Bourton Hill House, Bourton-on-the-Hill is surrounded by its immediate three-acre garden and a seven acre walled pasture, populated by specimen trees. In 1953 the house and land were sold at auction and there followed a quick succession of six owners, until 1983 when the house was acquired by the Paices. The transformation of the neglected garden took place over a twenty five year time frame, and led to the beautiful garden that can be seen today.
In 2010, Bourton House Garden... more
9th May 2023
Park House is a substantial Grade II Listed village house with charming gardens, in the attractive and popular village of Alvescot, set in circa 0.46 acres.
It is beautifully presented and offers a great deal of accommodation arranged over three floors. The interior space has been extremely well utilized to offer modern living within the Grade II Listed building.
The property has a double fronted Georgian façade dating from 1741, and adjoins an earlier building. It overlooks the former village green and is surrounded by it’s own gardens on three sides, with terraces positioned to maximize the sun throughout the day.
In... more
9th May 2023
Four Cotswold properties new on the market from £875,000 - £2.65million
Speaking about the spring/summer market in the Cotswolds, Helen Whitfield, head of residential agency at Butler Sherborn says: “We are seeing strong demand for properties that have been completely refurbished to a high standard, and think this will continue. Buyers at this end of the market are time short and just want to move in and get on with their lives, avoiding taking on an 18 month building project and the inevitable financial uncertainty.”
Added Sam Butler: “At the start of... more
25th April 2023
Ben Way – Previews Badminton 2023 - Head of Butler Sherborn Equestrian & Badminton Radio commentator
The Badminton Horse Trials (presented by Mars Equestrian), is just around the corner and will this year be starting on Thursday 4th May.
Due to the clash with the Coronation, there will be a slightly different timetable with the dressage days running on the Friday and Saturday, cross country on the Sunday, and the show jumping on the Monday.
This year’s entries look strong, with the equine line up being a really good mix of established campaigners and younger horses stepping up to the level. The one thing that did jump out at me, when looking at this year’s entries, is that there are very few Badminton first timers... more
20th April 2023
Helen Whitfield AssocRICS has been appointed by Butler Sherborn, the Cotswolds property specialist, as an associate partner and head of residential agency.
Helen obtained her RICS accredited degree from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), Cirencester in 2008 and worked for Savills, South West London in the lettings department for four years.
She then moved to the country house department of Savills to cover the Cotswolds and surrounding area selling properties over £2.5 million, where she worked for three years while based and living in London.
In 2017 and after seven years in London, Helen moved to Strutt and Parker to... more
31st March 2023
History will record 2022 as being a year of global turbulence, and domestic political and economic uncertainty for the United Kingdom.
The continuing war in Ukraine is having an effect on the supply of commodities, as well as an impact upon inflation around the world.
Despite this state of affairs, a limited supply of farm land for sale appears to have strengthened values in many areas, driven also by an increasing pool of buyers. There continues to be healthy demand from those buyers driven to rollover money for tax purposes, and they certainly seem to lead the market for the big commercial farms and estates.
... more30th March 2023
There is no doubt that the residential property market in the Cotswold is in quite a different place from that which it was this time last year.
The froth has gone off the top and the frenetic activity experienced in 2022, as soon as a property was launched, has dissipated. The mini budget was largely responsible for this significant reduction in interest, together with the increase in cost of living and the war in Ukraine.
However, Rishi Sunak has worked hard to correct the chaos created by Liz Truss. His considered approach to all economic, and some political, matters has contributed to the stabilization of the mortgage... more
27th March 2023
An English garden is a beautiful sight to behold. Traditionally, it conjures up the idea of soft pink roses, tumbling honeysuckle, winding paths and an overall sense of countryside chocolate box charm.
However, the term can also incorporate larger landscapes that are made up of sweeping lawns, ponds and lakes. Creating your own perfect garden can be a little harder than it looks, especially with the changeable British weather.
You shouldn’t let that put you off, however. Gardening can be an incredibly enjoyable hobby, giving you a sense of reward and accomplishment when you see things growing successfully. It can also keep you fit and healthy, and can especially boost mental health... more
6th March 2023
Three great new additions to the Cotswold property scene from £975,000 - £2.65million
The Lodge at Dryhill, Ullenwood, Gloucestershire, GL53 9QR - £2.65million
Stunning west facing views across the Severn Valley towards the Brecon Beacons and an extremely high specification contemporary finish throughout are the headlines of this beautifully different Cotswold home.
Accessed via a long sweeping drive with glorious views on all sides, The Lodge nestles in a discrete elevated position on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment.
The property... more
2nd March 2023
CHELTENHAM - AN IRISH SWEEP OR WILL HENDERSON’S HEROES FLY THE FLAG? With the best four days of the National Hunt racing calendar ahead of us, we have a look at the various horses we should put our houses on.
This year, it is generally agreed that the Gold Cup has one of the most competitive and quality fields for some years. In addition, many of the other races on this year’s card offer exciting starting lines. There is no doubt that the Irish contingent headed by Willie Mullins will have a good chance of taking home The Prestbury Cup.
Willie’s record at the Cheltenham Festival is second to none, his 88 winners being 16 more than that of his closest rival, Nicky Henderson at 72... more
2nd March 2023
Every estate agent is continually asked what is happening in the residential country property market.
At the moment it is difficult to tell and we will only have a better idea once there is more to sell and houses have been sold.
There is undoubtedly uncertainty. The catalyst was the fallout from the mini budget in late September. On the one hand therefore there are plenty of bad news stories about and predictions are gloomy. Having said that neither mortgage rates nor inflation are likely to be as high as was first predicted, and most mortgage products are back on the shelf.... more
10th February 2023
Guide Price £2,650,000. A simply stunning Cotswold property with spectacular views.
The Lodge is accessed by a long sweeping drive with stunning views on all sides and is nestled in an elevated position on the side of the Cotswold escarpment.
It enjoys easy access to all the attractions of Cheltenham Spa with its numerous retail activities and cultural events including both the Cheltenham Jazz and Literary Festivals. Sporting attractions include the Cheltenham Cricket Festival, Gloucester Rugby, and The Cheltenham Gold Cup
This 5 bedroom Cotswold... more
9th February 2023
Four country homes on the market from £645,000 - £2.2million
With snowdrops now peeking through the ground and daffodils close behind, the rural landscape is starting to show some colour and the first signs of waking up after a long winter.
New additions to the Cotswold property market are also a positive indication that Spring is coming, and Butler Sherborn has a number of country homes new on the market from £695,000 - £2.2million.
The Cottage, Chadlington, Oxfordshire, OX7 3NY - £645,000
Located in Chadlington less... more
6th February 2023
Good News in the Residential Property Market!
We have begun to see a slight reduction in inflation, and the Bank of England now expects the base rate to be lower, than it had previously anticipated.
Despite the Bank of England’s rate rise at the end of last week to 4% being a 15 year high, as inflation is curbed, the Bank is predicting a milder and shorter recession than it previously indicated.
Whilst any increase in interest rates benefits savers and is detrimental to those with mortgages, fixed rate mortgages have been... more
26th January 2023
Ben, Associate Partner of Butler Sherborn, looks at the prospects for the coming eventing year
The horses came back in from their holidays just after Christmas, and their pre-season fitness and conditioning work is in full swing. At this time of year, they all get a full ‘MOT; which includes visits from the dentist, physio and chiropractor. Our competition season starts in March and runs through to October. We have got an exciting string for this season, with a good mixture of older horses establishing themselves at the higher levels, and some younger horses moving along, together... more
20th January 2023
Six Cotswold gardens - well worth a visit this Spring
1. Colesbourne Park Gardens
Colesbourne Gardens is the premier place to see snowdrops in bloom. The collection is probably the most varied of any garden on display, with over three hundred varieties of this spectacular harbinger of spring on show during the short season. Colesbourne has 10 acres of private gardens and woodland walks with a mix of snowdrops, hellebores, cyclamen and a wide variety of early flowering shrubs.
The Gardens include an arboretum of rare trees... more
12th January 2023
Four New Year additions from £475,000 - £1.85million. January Market Comment from Butler Sherborn.
“After the strong property market of 2021 and throughout ‘22 until the shenanigans of the Truss/Kwarteng ‘economic adventure’, the prospects for the year ahead look settled,” says Sam Butler, senior partner of Butler Sherborn, the Cotswolds property specialist.
“Notwithstanding the cost of living issues and current industrial action, confidence and stability are key ingredients of a successful property market, and while we cannot foresee any curved balls, inflation is predicted to... more
10th January 2023
Ben Way MRICS, Head of Equestrian, Sophie Lane and Katy Freeman, senior residential sales negotiators in Cirencester and Burford respectively, have been promoted as Associate Partners of Butler Sherborn, with immediate effect.
Ben Way is based in the Stow office. In addition to running the Equestrian agency department of Butler Sherborn, Ben competes regularly through the season at Advanced Level with his wife, Sarahunder the Team Way banner. He is extremely well connected in the equestrian world, and his knowledge of all equestrian property matters in the Cotswolds is extensive.
Sophie Lane has lived in the Cirencester area for much of her life, excepting a short sojourn working in London residential... more
9th January 2023
Vanessa Carter heads the Butler Sherborn Lettings Team, and together they have won the Award for the Best Letting Agent in Burford, Bampton & Carterton.
Karen Felstead and Valerija Christensen work along side Vanessa, in our busy Burford office. Together they offer an exceptional service to landlords and tenants alike.
A measure of their success is the repeat business they have generated over the years, with some very long standing clients.
Vanessa is renowned for her detailed knowledge and understanding of the legislation pertaining to lettings, in particular.
If you are interested in letting your property anywhere in... more
