Frederick Hunt for B
When I saw a British newspaper warning that rich Americans were "invading" the Cotswolds, I had to see for myself if the headlines matched reality.
In late October, I made the 90-minute train journey from London to the quaint collection of towns and villages in the English countryside, as I've done many times for family holidays and weekend escapes.
I didn't find an "invasion," but it was clear the Cotswolds is changing — and fast. This sense didn't just come from the American-sounding accents I heard on the streets, but from conversations with the people I met.
Long associated with Barbour jackets and tweed-clad royals, nowadays if the Cotswolds were a party, its guestlist would rival the Met Gala's.
Last year, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought a $20 million estate here. Tom Cruise, as well as Jay-Z and Beyoncé, are rumored to be next. Recent visitors include Taylor Swift, Kourtney Kardashian, Bill Gates, and Vice President JD Vance — along with the rich and powerful who keep a low profile.
The Cotswolds was already a hotspot for the wealthy before Americans took serious interest. Its existing luxury amenities are part of its appeal, helping to create a cycle of upmarket offerings attracting more and more affluent visitors.
In 2023, the upscale American home furnishings brand RH opened shop on the grounds of a 17th-century country estate, and last year the Cotswolds added Estelle Manor to its roster of members' clubs, which also includes Soho House.
Meanwhile, Americans are among the ultra-wealthy snapping up heritage homes, a considerable number of which are on the market for upwards of $10 million.
This series looks at how the Cotswolds has transformed into a playground for America's rich and famous, earning it the nickname "The Hamptons of England."
from Business Insider https://ift.tt/to3uH1E
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