WELCOME TO STOW-ON-THE-WOLD
Stow-on-the-Wold, simply known as Stow, is a truly typical Cotswold market town that enjoys a central position in the AONB, with the office covering the trendy north Cotswolds area that has become increasingly popular thanks to Daylesford and Soho Farmhouse
A quaint, bustling Cotswold market town surrounded by rolling countryside, good transport links, excellent state and private schools, beautiful stone architecture and peppered with a wide selection of commanding properties, it’s no surprise that Stow continues to capture the attention of those looking for a laid-back quality of life and value for money in relative proximity to London. The highest town in the Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold is centred on a large picturesque market square surrounded by strikingly tall and elegant buildings and steep-walled alleyways which were originally used to funnel sheep into the fair. The former wool town is steeped in history and remains an important market town standing on the Roman Fosse Way at the junction of six roads. The town is home to many fine antique shops, art galleries, boutique shops and a local butcher. There’s also a thriving food scene; Stow is full of wonderful restaurants, bistros, tea shops and public houses including The Porch House which is said to be the oldest inn in England and dates back to 947 AD.
When it comes to the type of properties available, most of the ancient Cotswold stone cottages and houses are generally Grade II listed and reside within designated conservation areas. Period 16th century Cotswold stone properties command higher prices as these are perennially in high demand and come to market less frequently, but equally as popular are contemporary properties and estates which are spacious and offer all the mod cons which older Cotswold properties lack. Lockdown has really put the Cotswolds under the spotlight. As a popular town in the centre of the Cotswolds AONB, the Stow office has seen a substantial increase in the number of buyers looking within the surrounding area, particularly among those looking to move out of cities. Why? Well, the Cotswolds offer a kind of lifestyle that’s impossible to find in a city, there’s room to perfect that elusive work-life balance, lots of green space but also plenty to entertain and enjoy.
Leigh Glazebrook
Partner, Head of Stow Office leigh.glazebrook@knightfrank.com
Knight Frank’s Stow-on-the-Wold office handles residential properties across the north Cotswolds, including the borders of Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. We also cover many picturesque towns, villages and rural areas including Chipping Campden, Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh, Guiting Power, Kingham, Bledington and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Stow-on-the-Wold in numbers
The average price of a property sold by Knight Frank in Stow (2020)
£998,062
How old are buyers in Stow?
(13 May to 31 Dec 2020 vs 5-year ave.)
Stow has a great community atmosphere, offering a blend of the old and new to enjoy, with the square remaining the centre point of the town, home to the farmers' market held on the second Thursday of each month which provides shoppers with local produce from the area.
Stow-on-the-Wold has always been popular with weekenders thanks to its proximity to popular tourist hot spots such as Daylesford Organic Farmshop in Kingham, Soho Farmhouse near Chipping Norton, Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, Cirencester and Stratford-upon-Avon. A hive of activity on the weekends, Stow is a popular starting point for walks or drives across the Cotswold countryside and attracts visitors from across the globe. The towns and villages surrounding Stow-on-the-Wold make the area highly desirable for commuters, families and retirees. The area has a number of events throughout the year including The Big Feastival in Kingham - a food and music festival organised by Jamie Oliver, Guiting and Bledington Music Festivals, the historic Olympik Games in Chipping Campden and the largest agricultural show, Moreton Show, in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Who lives here?
With its quintessential Cotswold feel, it's perhaps unsurprising that the biggest majority of buyers in Stow come from London at 41%, further supported by almost a third of buyers saying they worked within the City and finance sector.
Where buyers move from? (2017-2020)
What are Knight Frank buyers' professions?
Where buyers move from? (2017-2020)
What are Knight Frank buyers' professions?
As with many of the Cotswolds’ quintessential towns and villages, Stow-on-the-Wold has an important history of its own.
Stow-on-the-Wold, originally called Stow St. Edward or Edwardstow after the town's patron saint, is said to have originated as an Iron Age fort. Given its exposed spot on the top of Stow Hill, the highest town in the Cotswolds, it is often referred to with the quirky couplet "Stow on the Wold, where the winds blow cold and the cooks can't roast their dinners". In 1330, Edward III set up an annual seven day market to be held in August. As the fairs grew in fame and size, the town grew more prosperous. Stow has always catered for visitors and travellers, and hospitality is an important characteristic of the town. At one time it was said that just about every building on the square was either an inn or sold food and drink. The tradition continues today with Stow offering some of the best Cotswold hotels, inns and eateries.
If Cotswold country life is what you’re after, but you still need to be within a reasonable commuting distance of London, Oxford or Birmingham, then look no further than Stow. Similarly, the area is ideal for growing families who want plenty of good schooling options on their doorstep.
Stow-on-the-Wold provides good motorway and railway access to London and Oxford, with hourly trains to Oxford in 25-44 minutes and to London every one to two hours in 90-106 minutes from the nearest rail stations at Moreton-in-Marsh or Kingham, just four and five miles away respectively. If driving in clear traffic, you should be able to reach London in 75 minutes via the M4 or M40. When it comes to schooling options, a number of excellent schools from both the state and private sectors are available throughout the wider Cotswolds as well as more local options such as Stow-on-the-Wold primary, Swell C of E, Kingham Hill School, The Cotswold School and Bourton-on-the-Water primary.
What can you buy for your money in Stow-on-the-Wold?
Hillside Cottage, GL56
Pine Cottage, GL55
The Old Mill, GL54
All property has been sold by Knight Frank within the past 12 months. The guide prices shown are representative of their appraised pricing and not their final sale price.
Get in touch to book an appointment – we'd love to talk to you about your next move.
KNIGHT FRANK STOW-ON-THE-WOLD
Visit us at:
Brett House, Park St, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AG +44 (0) 1451 888 018