Cornwall v Cotswolds: where are the second-home set heading next?
As the Camerons pick up a £2m pad in Polzeath, Eleanor Steafel reveals who else is heading south-west
If you wanted to observe a celebrity in their natural habitat, it used to be that you had only to drive 90 minutes out of the capital. On Friday evenings, Range Rovers would stretch the length of “the cut” – the section of the M40 that slices through the Chiltern Hills – as the great and good headed to their Cotswolds piles. It was known as the West London corridor.
But as this patch of England groans at the seams with moneyed types, the Chipping Norton set is being forced to travel further afield to breathe some country air. Cornwall is now the new Cotswolds.
The Camerons are leading the charge, having purchased a £2million holiday home near their beloved Polzeath, the setting for many an awkward holiday snap while David was prime minister.
So what can they expect from their new place in the country?
THE SCENE The Cotswolds
The celebrities, minor European royals and moneyed types were divided into distinct “sets”. If you lived in the Burford end of Chipping Norton, and counted Matthew Freud and Elisabeth Murdoch among your neighbours, you were in for a weekend of riotous partying. If you were Kingham-bound, a couple of days cosying up by a pub fire was in store. The Camerons mingled with the Brooks; Kate Moss would rub shoulders with Alex James, Jemima Khan and Jeremy Clarkson. How did you guess which set someone belonged to? A quick glance at their 4x4 would tell you all you needed to know – dark green and mud-splattered, or black with a chauffeur.
Cornwall
Divisions are already emerging. There are the newcomers, including Gordon and Tana Ramsay, three miles down the road from the Camerons in Rock, having bought a £4million Twenties house, which they plan to demolish and rebuild. There’s Jamie and Jools Oliver, who bring their enormous brood to surf. Damian Lewis and Helen Mccrory were also spotted in Padstow this summer, while Helena Bonham Carter has been seen at surf school on Polzeath beach. Then there are the oldtimers. Dawn French lives in Fowey, while Richard and Judy have had a holiday home in Talland Bay for 20 years. Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! fame lives in Wadebridge and Madonna is rumoured to own property on the Roseland Peninsula.
THE PARTIES The Cotswolds
Here, social status rides on how lavish your get-togethers are. Elisabeth Murdoch once held a £500,000 New Year’s Eve party in a purpose-built barn, apparently featuring a revolving dance floor.
Cornwall
Think barbecuing on the beach with your London neighbours, plus a few famous faces trying to go incognito. Double Michelin starred chef Nathan Outlaw is grilling the mackerel. Your kids are playing with Jamie Oliver’s.
THE LOOK The Cotswolds
Time was, the look would have hinged on a pair of expensive but well worn wellington boots and waxed Barbour jacket. But those days are gone. Princess Olympia of Greece wore a Steven Khalil gown and £640 rainbow platform Gucci trainers to her Chipping Norton birthday party last year.
Cornwall
As long as you own several pairs of Superga sneakers in varying pastel shades, you can be part of the gang. The West Country has always had a touch of the hippy about it – hence why bohemians like designer Alice Temperley love it.
THE HOUSES The Cotswolds
Country estates that look like they’re straight out of Jane Austen novels from the outside, but are rather more Beckingham Palace on the inside. A full staff is essential and if guests wants to shoot or ride they should be able. By night the place has the feel of Gatsby-esque hedonism.
Cornwall
Even the most luxurious pads look like something out of a Richard Curtis film. A section of private beach is preferable – or at least a direct route down the cliff to a secluded cove. Most importantly, there should be a Scandi-chic beach hut in the garden, in which to store the monogrammed surfboards.