THE SEASONAL EDIT

16

“ It was love at first sight ,” says Hannah Rose of the Cotswolds . Known for its undulating hills and honeycoloured villages , this was one of the many parts of England she visited over a long and lovely summer searching for a perfect country cottage .

“ Yes the scenery is stunning but you can meander along at your own pace and people say hello .”

Hannah ’ s house hunt started online many years ago . “ I spent hours scrolling . I was living in a shiny new build but what I really wanted was exposed beams , a thatched roof and rustic interiors .” In May she took her search to the streets , criss-crossing the countryside with her trusty sidekick , Baxter the dog . “ I started photographing and writing about all the places I found . I had no idea how popular pictures of the English countryside would be .”

The pretty village of Painswick , a historic wool town built from stone quarried from nearby Painswick Beacon , was her base for three weeks of exploring . It sits halfway along the Cotswold Way National Trail . “ I walked for three hours a day – there are looped trails so it ‘ s easy to head out on your own .“

Honeysuckle Cottage is a quintessential country home – which you can find on Airbnb – in the centre of the village . “ There ’ s a big fireplace , a window seat and it overlooks the church so you ’ re woken by bells in the morning .”

In the Middle Ages , the Cotswolds ‘ bucolic landscape supported vast flocks of sheep , known as Cotswold Lions for their long , shaggy coats and faintly golden hue . Their wool was renowned as the best in Europe and merchants here became wealthy , building striking wool churches and manor houses .

On her travels , Hannah explored Sheepscombe . “ It ’ s a tiny 11th-century village that sits among the hills of Gloucestershire , hidden in a narrow valley ," she says . “ It really is as peaceful as it sounds .” But its name has nothing to do with sheep , she explains , ” The original name is Sebbescumbe , from the names of early settlers .”

The Cotswolds is blessed with fantastic produce , and local chefs who really know how to cook . Stow-on-the- Wold is known for its pubs and ancient inns . But there ’ s also an enchanting church bound by two ancient yew trees ( opposite , bottom left ). “ It ’ s magical ,” says Hannah . “ Legend has it this church door was JRR Tolkien ’ s inspiration for ‘ the Doors of Durin ’ in The Lord of the Rings .”

In May , nearby poppy fields burst into life , the most famous of which are near Condicote ( opposite , bottom right ). “ The owners are more than happy for people to visit and enjoy their fields . There ’ s a donation box for the local poppy appeal .” After all her searching , Hannah didn ’ t end up in the Cotswolds . “ I found a cottage on the Northamptonshire- Cambridgeshire border , close to my family . I ’ m very lucky , but one day I know I ’ ll move to the Cotswolds .”

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HOMELIFE