Tucked inside an 850-acre private Cotswold estate, boasting some of England’s most beautiful countryside, is a place you’ll never want to leave: The Lakes by Yoo.
Surrounding a collection of stunning clear water lakes sit a series of luxury waterfront and woodland lodges, designed by A-listers, for those in need of some A-list R&R. From the extra special to the one-of-a-kind, there’s a base here for all parties and all budgets – all of which have been interior-designed by some big, household names. Kate Moss, Phillipe Stark, Jade Jagger and more.
And whilst we may call them holiday homes, in fact, only 14 of them are actually up for rental. The rest, over a hundred, are privately owned second homes for the world’s elite. So it really is exclusive.
Combine the chic luxury on the inside of these modern, magnificently constructed lakehouses with the natural beauty of the Cotswolds on the outside and you’ve got yourself a recipe for total and utter bliss.
Just 90 minutes outside of London, it’s the perfect weekend getaway. Or week-long, if you can help it. So let’s find out a little bit more…
The Barnhouse
For our stay, we got the keys to The Barnhouse – a glamourous converted barn sleeping 10-12 lucky people. This is one-of-a-kind. No, really. The properties are separated into five categories; special, extra-special, fabulous, outstanding and, this, the one that takes your breath away.
The first property, globally, to be designed by Kate Moss, The Barnhouse is an architectural masterpiece. With more bathrooms than I can genuinely remember, this is a five-bedroom woodland retreat, secluded in the trees, just back from the lake. With huge floor-to-ceiling, panoramic windows, a wall of glass floods light into the barn’s hip, high-end living room. There are giant velvety sofas, a huge smart TV and eclectic bits and bobs purposefully placed all over.
It’s double height – a glance above reveals four giant windows looking out to the wall of glass and beyond to the lakes. This is the mezzanine level of the stylish art-deco master suite. Alongside a huge mirrored four-poster bed, the furniture reminds me of the 80s, paired with silks, fur and plush fabric – this room really makes a bold, but classy, statement.
You’d expect no less from Kate Moss.
Another two en-suite bedrooms – a clean, elegant double and a garish and bright twin (for the kids) – join the suite on the second floor. These, as do all the bedrooms, have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the woods at the foot of the bed. A further two en-suite bedrooms lie in wait on the ground floor, equally as appealing.
An impressive collection of Kate’s photos is found hanging on the wall down the staircase as you head to the ground floor. Past the coat hooks, there’s a separate snug – with another huge flat screen TV in it – overlooking your private pool and decking. That massive lounge I mentioned is open plan, adjoining a state-of-the-art kitchen. Two brand new ovens, a large gas hob, only the best of the best tableware laid up on the dining-room table; it’s a foodie’s dream. It’s a set-up so good a Michelin-trained chef could cook in it. And, in fact, they do.
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