The Cotswolds’ Most Exclusive Clubs: Why Private Members’ Retreats Are Shaping the Region’s Property Appeal

For discerning buyers considering a home in the Cotswolds, the landscape is more than just rolling hills and honey-hued stone cottages—it’s an evolving tapestry of luxury, discretion, and curated experiences. In recent years, the rise of exclusive private members’ clubs across the region has added a new layer of allure, transforming the Cotswolds into a refined haven for those seeking more than just a countryside escape.

The new Cotswolds lifestyle isn’t only about seclusion and pastoral charm. It’s also about community—albeit a carefully curated one. With clubs like Soho Farmhouse, Estelle Manor, The Club by Bamford, and The Grain Store at Calcot redefining country living, buying a property in their orbit offers much more than real estate. It’s an invitation into a world of access, taste, and social cachet.

Soho Farmhouse: A Modern Countryside Playground

2485385197

Location: Great Tew, Oxfordshire

As one of the flagship outposts of the Soho House group, Soho Farmhouse has reimagined rural luxury for a cosmopolitan crowd. Set across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, it merges the rustic charm of a working farm with modern design, featuring spa barns, Japanese onsen-style baths, and a lake for wild swimming.

Property in and around the Great Tew Estate is at a premium—not just for its bucolic beauty, but for its proximity to this stylish rural enclave. For buyers, owning a home near Soho Farmhouse means more than lifestyle—it signifies connection to a discreet but influential social scene of creatives, entrepreneurs, and global tastemakers.

Estelle Manor: Grandeur Reborn

Location: Near Witney, Oxfordshire

A neoclassical mansion reborn as an ultra-exclusive country club, Estelle Manor offers a different flavour of luxury—sumptuous, stately, and steeped in history. Set on a 60-acre estate and sister to the famed Maison Estelle in London, it’s a rare hybrid of high-society elegance and modern wellness retreat.

From a Michelin-calibre brasserie to extensive spa facilities and artfully curated cultural programming, the club is as much a sanctuary as it is a status symbol. Nearby areas such as Charlbury and Minster Lovell have seen increased buyer interest, as high-net-worth individuals seek both proximity and privacy—ideally a short drive from Estelle’s imposing gates.

The Club by Bamford: Wellness Meets Country Chic

Location: Daylesford, Gloucestershire

Born from the ethos of sustainability and holistic wellbeing, The Club by Bamford is set within the serene grounds of Daylesford Organic Farm. This private club centres around wellness, offering members access to world-class spa treatments, open-air yoga studios, and biodynamic dining.

For clients interested in wellness-oriented living, properties around Kingham and Daylesford offer a rare blend: contemporary eco-consciousness with timeless rural elegance. The draw isn’t just the club—it’s the entire ecosystem of curated wellbeing that radiates from it.

The Grain Store at Calcot: A Country Retreat With Edge

Location: Near Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Positioned within the award-winning Calcot & Spa estate, The Grain Store is a newly launched members’ club with a sharper, more contemporary edge. With interiors by Russell Sage, it channels a relaxed but refined atmosphere—less pomp, more personality.

Amenities include a private cinema, rooftop hot tubs, woodland fitness classes, and culinary offerings that favour provenance and simplicity. For buyers eyeing the charming market town of Tetbury or the tranquil nearby villages, the presence of The Grain Store signals a rising tide of cultural vibrancy in a traditionally quiet corner of the Cotswolds.

Investing Beyond Bricks and Mortar

Today’s discerning buyers are not just seeking a beautiful home—they’re investing in lifestyle, access, and alignment with a particular cultural milieu. These private members’ clubs don’t just reflect that change; they help drive it. Their presence elevates surrounding property values and fosters micro-communities of like-minded individuals.

Living near one of these clubs offers more than convenient access to luxury facilities—it offers entry into an ongoing conversation of taste, design, and modern rural life.

Thinking of buying in the Cotswolds?

Consider not just the house, but the world around it. These private clubs are redefining what it means to “live in the country”—with sophistication, soul, and a distinct sense of belonging.

As an independent buying agency we have our hearts—and feet—firmly rooted in the Cotswolds. With deep local knowledge and trusted relationships, we offer our clients discreet access to pre-market and off-market properties that may never appear on the open market. If you’re considering a move or looking to invest in this extraordinary part of the world, we’d be delighted to have a conversation about your search.

Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you! T: 01242 805156 | E: hello@propertysearchco.com