Wealthy Americans are increasingly flocking to the English Cotswolds, turning the picturesque region into a sought-after destination for luxury country homes. This trend is fueled by a desire for a traditional, low-key English lifestyle, a stark contrast to the "glitzier" Hamptons. Many buyers are seeking historic, old-fashioned properties, prioritizing character and history over modern designs.
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant surge in interest from American buyers. Estate agency Savills reported that the Cotswolds was the third most searched-for location by Americans on its website, with a 61% year-on-year increase. The Buying Solution, which advises ultra-high-net-worth clients, saw a 50% rise in American clients looking for properties in the past year alone. This influx has driven up property prices; the average house in the Cotswolds sold for almost £440,000 ($590,000) over the past 12 months, nearly two-thirds more than the UK average.
Notable figures like Ellen DeGeneres and Beyoncé have been linked to property purchases in the area. DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought a £15 million farmhouse, later listing it for £22.5 million. Beyoncé and Jay-Z were reportedly planning a £7.5 million, 58-acre build in Wigginton, though the sale was apparently cancelled due to flooding concerns. This high-profile interest further cements the Cotswolds' reputation as the "Hamptons of the UK."
Beyond second homes, a significant portion of American buyers are looking to relocate permanently, seeking the "quintessentially English countryside lifestyle" in towns like Burford and Chipping Norton. Data from Hamptons indicates that 43% of Americans who bought investment properties through a company last year intended to base themselves permanently in the UK. This sustained interest has led to a remarkable resilience in the prime Cotswolds market, with prices for properties over £1.5 million rising 3.9% between March 2020 and December 2025.
