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With the hunt for the trophy country home at an all-time high, it turns out there’s one particular pocket of England that’s seeing the biggest demand.
The Cotswolds, synonymous for its yellow-stone cottages and historic manor houses, with well-heeled residents including the Beckhams, Kate Moss, and the Camerons, has seen a surge of interest from potential buyers during the pandemic.
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According to Rightmove, the area has become one of the most sought-after with online searches for houses doubling in the second half of last year. Stats revealed that searches rose by 102 per cent in the last six months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, no doubt fuelled by those looking for more space during lockdown, with remote working allowing city dwellers to make the big move to the country.
The locations with the biggest surge in views on Rightmove are all rural or coastal
Bruton in Somerset tops the rankings, with a 72% annual increase in buyer searches this year
The outskirts of Bruton is where TV s Sarah Beeny is building her new family home
Channel 4 s Sarah Beeny s New Life in the Country follows her move to the South West
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A Somerset town which counts former Chancellor George Osborne and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson among its residents has become the most searched-for location among property buyers this year.
Bruton has seen a 72 per cent increase in buyer searches, according to a list compiled by Rightmove.
The affluent West Country town set in a corner of Somerset boasts three boarding schools, a 16th century dovecoat and sprawling manors against the backdrop of the hills, which sell for upwards of £1.5 million.
It earned itself the nickname the new Notting Hill , having become a countryside playground for the rich and famous who can escape London in as little as 90 minutes on a train from Paddington.
Updated: 11 Dec 2020, 18:37
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CLAUDIA Schiffer s former mansion in Majorca and a Greek island getaway with its own helipad are among the most viewed properties on
Rightmove.
Daydreaming Brits longing for a life of luxury in the sun are behind an 18 per cent jump this year in people looking at the website s overseas section.
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This mansion in Rhodes is one of the most viewed on RightmoveCredit: Rightmove
The most sought after des res at the moment is a huge ranch and equestrian facility in California on sale for £30million.
Others include a high-rise apartment with sweeping views over Manhattan, and a one-of-a-kind architectural retreat on Canada s Atlantic coast.