Woodland Retreat

A few months ago I interviewed the owner of The Lakes by Yoo near Lechlade for a magazine feature.

This modern country retreat estate is an incredible example of how to bring urban style and convenience to a country setting, while looking after the local environment. The lakeside homes are hidden from view and the estate itself is a major conservation area. For Londoners with children who fancy a bit of part-time country life, it’s the perfect setting.

I was interviewing owner Jon Hiscox about his newest development The Barnhouse, designed by his pal and local lass Kate Moss. It’s a departure from the so far exclusively lakeside homes to something more woodland in setting, and is essentially a purpose-built barn conversion. I’m never a fan of things like that, I like my old stuff to actually BE old. But still, Moss has a real eye for design and The Barnhouse is a gorgeously modern country hideaway.

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As a thank you, we were invited to stay last weekend. And for 24 hours soaked up some serious luxury living (something somewhat hard to come by in our old, cold Cotswold cottage).

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All our meals were provided by the fantastic James Graham at Cotswold Catering (also head chef at Cowley Manor and a fascinating man to chat about food with), we rode bikes around the lake, relaxed in the quiet spa, enjoyed the view and the sunset from one of the many terraces and laughed as Munchkin raced about the considerable space inside.