Property Blog
24th May 2021
Assured Shorthold Tenancy notice periods
Previously extended to six months, as an emergency measure during the pandemic, the government has reduced the Notice period required to be given to tenants to four months with effect from 1st June 2021. The rationale behind this move, is to ensure that tenants continue to have protection through Step 3 and into Step 4 of the government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown. Step 4 will begin from 19th July at the earliest. Subject to public health advice, and progress with the Roadmap, the government... more
24th May 2021
Situated right in the very heart of The Cotswolds, on the escarpment, The Plough Inn provides customers from near and far with a great selection of traditional seasonal food, pub classics and a wide range of real ales and beverages to be enjoyed in a beautiful Cotswold pub environment.
The Plough is hugely popular locally, as a genuine proper pub, serving locally sourced produce and local ales. It is friendly, relaxed and fun!
The Plough has a strong connection to the local horse racing community, being situated just across the road from Jackdaw's Castle, the home of Jonjo O'Neill racing stables. In the season, you will often find shooters with their feet up by our log fire after a long day out and about. In the summer, walkers with children and dogs, cyclists and... more
13th May 2021
AND THE CHOICE OF PROPERTIES OPENS UP, TOO - Butler Sherborn launches a Grade II listed barn conversion; a family home with almost 4 acres and a tennis court; a contemporary development opportunity in 6 acres, and three apartments in a Jacobean-style country house
Jessamies Barn, Eastleach, nr Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 3NG - £1.6million
Stone barn conversions continue to be much sought-after in the Cotswolds, and Jessamies Barn is an excellent example.
Formed from one half of a substantial Grade II listed threshing barn, Jessamies Barn is an exceptional country home with the benefit of a rural location and stunning countryside views.
The property enjoys seclusion and security in an idyllic setting. It features a... more
23rd April 2021
The family-owned and run Oxford Shirt Company is delighted to be able to open its doors again after Lockdown.
The company offers a comprehensive range of shirts, fashion and outdoor clothing, for both men and women. Browse the collection at the flagship store on the picturesque High Street in Burford, Oxfordshire, or online at www.oxfordshirt.co.uk
As the leading retailer of exclusive fashion in the Cotswolds, The Oxford Shirt Company offers a large selection of clothing and accessories, with over 30 different traditional and contemporary brands including the likes of Barbour, Dubarry of... more
20th April 2021
A selection of five new properties from £300,000 - £1.25million
“With the weather warming up and lockdown starting to ease, we are experiencing one of the strongest residential property markets for a decade here in the Cotswolds,” says Sam Butler of Butler Sherborn.
“We have seen a 30% uptick in buyers registering with us during January and March versus the same period last year, viewings up 35% last month and 40% of those viewing making offers. There is no doubt that the desire to move to the country along with low stock levels are fuelling this... more
20th April 2021
The brain child of three friends, The Scenic Supper is a unique dining experience developed as a direct response to Covid, and its accompanying restrictions.
Diners sit in one of seven, bespoke glasshouses, accommodating either two or four guests, positioned on a Cotswold hilltop offering panoramic views and monthly changing set menus of seriously delicious modern British dishes. From 1st April – 25th September 2021, The Scenic Supper will be taking a six-month residency at Todenham Manor Farm, near Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire. The Scenic Supper was created by three local school friends, Toby Baggott, Sam Lawson-King and Scott Sullivan in... more20th April 2021
We have been very lucky at Team Way Eventing with both Sarah and myself meeting the criteria for ‘elite athletes’.
This has enabled us to keep travelling and training during lockdown, and to run our horses at some of the elite only events in March. The cancellation of Badminton was very disappointing. However, we are now looking to Luhmuhlen in Germany at the end of June, as a replacement aim.
All of our horses have had their first runs of season. Now our biggest challenge is that the ground conditions have gone from soft mud to very firm in the space of two weeks. The ground permitting we are... more
29th March 2021
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rental Sector (England) Regulations 2020 and 2021
In January 2020, the Government announced the above regulations were being passed through Parliament and we can now confirm that these came into effect from 1st June 2020.
The regulations apply to all new tenancies created from 1st July 2020, and for all ongoing and existing tenancies from 1st April 2021. The requirements are that private landlords must ensure that the Electrical Safety Standards are met in a residential property, during a tenancy.
Inspections and Testing.... more
26th March 2021
A family run Cotswold farm offering local produce and an independent business enterprise
Hayles Fruit Farm covers approximately 100 acres of picturesque countryside on the outskirts of the Cotswold market town of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. With origins back to 1880 the land, along with 4 other fruit farms on the edge of the town, was initially planted with apples & Cob nuts under the instruction of Lord Sudeley. More than 130 years later Hayles Fruit Farm is the only one to survive! Farmed by the Harrell family since the 1950’s it has, as you might imagine, seen many... more23rd March 2021
Three great properties on the Cotswold market from £725,000. Spring is on its way, and with the easing of lockdown already underway, everyone will be ready to get out and explore.
As the world begins to open up, people will be wanting to get into the garden, visit garden centres and begin exploring the countryside once again, and with excellent access to footpaths, bridleways and destination walks such as The Thames Path and Cotswold Way, the Cotswolds remains as popular as ever.
Comments Sam Butler, of Butler Sherborn: “The phenomenal demand we experienced last year from people wanting to move to the Cotswolds has continued unabated. The issue we now face is... more
12th March 2021
With a milling legacy spanning eight generations, Matthews Cotswold Flour is one of the UK’s oldest family-run flour mills.
Trading grain and milling flour in the heart of the Cotswolds since the1800s, they believe passionately that local partnerships, traditional methods and premium grains make for better baking. Matthews offers premium quality Organic and Stoneground Wholemeal flour, using grain from local farmers and time-honoured milling techniques. They still use the original building that was completed in 1912, and set beside the railway, which in former times was used to distribute the flour across the... more4th March 2021
At Butler Sherborn, we receive this Budget with cautious optimism. The Chancellor seems to have found a balance between supporting families, businesses and the self-employed, as the effects of the Covid Pandemic role on short to medium term, whilst looking to properly address and correct the deficit in the future.
For the property sector, there are some helpful measures, albeit the Stamp Duty holiday is probably a two edged sword.
In the short term, the nil rate SDLT band remains at £500,000 and this has been extended from 31st March 2021 to 30th June 2021. This nil rate band then reduces to £250,000 until 30th September 2021, before returning back to £125,000 from 1st October 2021. At some point therefore, there will be the cliff edge to face, but the phasing will certainly help maintain the... more
1st March 2021
Communication is key to a smooth sale. Asking the right questions at the outset goes a long way to ensuring that this is achieved.
What’s the position of the buyer?As soon as you have found a buyer for your property, establish their precise financial position. Are they a cash buyer? Do they require a mortgage? Are they already part of a chain? How quickly can they exchange, complete and move?
The central question, ‘what is the position of the buyer?’ will give you a much better sense of the circumstances surrounding their need to move, and will give context to further communication.
What is the position of... more22nd February 2021
Legislation has recently been passed, which comes into effect from 4th May 2021. The Debt Respite Scheme, also known as Breathing Space, has been introduced to help those in debt, including tenants in rent arrears.
The scheme allows for a person’s debt and any enforcement action against that debt, to be frozen for a maximum of 60 days (unless a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space has been obtained – see below), allowing the tenant to find a solution to their financial problems, without being pressed by creditors or landlords.
The Forms of Breathing Space
There are two forms of Breathing Space, Standard Breathing Space and Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space. Both work in a similar way... more
22nd February 2021
Cotswold Gold is a premium, extra virgin rapeseed oil made using traditional cold pressing methods. This preserves the natural health benefits of the seed, creating an oil naturally high in vitamin E, rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9, and low in cholesterol
Cotswold Gold only use crops grown on their family farm in the Cotswolds to ensure that only the finest seeds are pressed to create their vibrant, golden oil. All oil is grown, harvested, pressed and bottled in the Cotswolds. With its natural health benefits and extremely versatile cooking properties, Cotswold Gold is unquestionably the best oil to use for all your culinary needs, from salad dressings to high temperature frying. Cotswold Gold extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oil can be used... more9th February 2021
Looking for that special romantic dinner for two with an extra special twist – visit www.maltandanchor.co.uk . This innovative, Cirencester fish and chip restaurant is offering a fabulous Take Away, and delivery service within 4.5 miles of Cirencester. The Valentine’s Menu has the reputed aphrodisiac, and epicurean dish, Cornish Lobster with garlic butter and twice cooked chips, as well as Hebridean smoked salmon and a couple of extra special puddings for the special day, at very... more
2nd February 2021
Four suitable properties from £295,000 - £975,000
“The idea of having your own place in the country is growing ever more popular,” says Sam Butler of Butler Sherborn. “Even as the vaccine roll out gathers pace and people begin to feel more confident that normality is on the horizon, the reasons for wanting a bolthole away from the smoke are many and varied. Whether simply looking to escape a city at weekends, as a staycation holiday let with its separate income stream, somewhere quiet to work, write or create, as an investment or... more
25th January 2021
Growing up in the Cotswolds, nearly every village had a village shop which formed the heart of the community
Sadly those days have gone and now they have become a rarity. So many buyers come to the Cotswolds dreaming of living in a village with either a pub or a shop and villages who can boast these much loved places, normally have a positive effect when it comes to house sales. The success of the village shop largely comes down to residents to either actively get involved with running them voluntarily or support them instead of filling up at the supermarket. Here are a selection who have shone... more
25th January 2021
Market comment from Elizabeth D'Allemagne
"The Cotswold housing market was incredibly strong in 2020; almost frenetic. The current Lockdown has created a degree of uncertainty. Understandably with current restrictions and challenges, normal life feels as if it has been suspended with an economic headwind which should not be underestimated.However, as the vaccine is rolled out across the country and the R rate has currently dropped below one, people are looking forward to life starting to resemble normality after Easter.... more
11th January 2021
Glebe House is an impressive 5 bedroom family home, in an elevated position on the edge of the village, with exceptional views across the Windrush Valley set in 2.26 acres. Guide Price £1,750,000
Carefully designed to take advantage of the lovely views, it is built in a traditional style with contemporary standards of comfort. With accommodation over three floors, the house is ideal for both entertaining and modern family life. The living areas are particularly bright and sunny, and there is an easy flow between the principal reception areas and the large kitchen/breakfast room, with the versatile and spacious layout allowing for a combination of convivial family life with areas of... more
