The Cotswolds are home to many beautiful and idyllic villages that are hidden away in the countryside. It's perhaps no surprise then that the rich and famous flock to the region to enjoy a quieter life away from the hustle and bustle of major cities.

Upper Swell, which is a 90 minute drive from Birmingham, is one such Cotswolds village where house prices have reached staggering highs. According to Rightmove, the tiny village in Gloucestershire had an overall average price of just under £2million during the last year.

It was also recently named by Travel Away as one of the most beautiful villages in the UK, mainly due to its golden stone cottages and stunning views. Here's a look at life in the village - and why it may be worth a weekend trip there soon.

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What Travel Away said

The online travel magazine wrote: "Upper Swell is a classic Cotswolds huddle of traditional golden stone cottages, with a significant 12th-century Norman church and a river running through it. The small, quaint hamlet lies near the town of Stow-on-the-Wold, in the Dikler Valley, providing a plethora of walking and biking routes through the surrounding countryside."

Life in the village

As well as stunning views of the countryside, idyllic walking routes and elegant cottages, the tiny village of Upper Swell is less than a five minute from Stow-on-the-Wold - one of the most popular market towns in the Cotswolds. The charming town boasts antique shops, a vast array of restaurants and historic churches.

Those who lives in Upper Swell are also lucky enough to live within driving distance of several other popular destinations in the Cotswolds. These include the beautiful village of Broadway in Worcestershire, the breathtaking Cotswolds Lavender Fields and Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm.

The village of Upper Swell itself is tucked away in the rolling countryside and mainly consists of cottages and cosy hotels dotted around its country lanes. Down the road is Donnington Brewery, which has attracted dozens of glowing reviews in recent years.

One visitor wrote: "Absolutely idyllic. Beautiful, beautiful location. Easily the most picturesque brewery I’ve ever visited."

Another said: "Amazing beer in a beautiful location - a must visit in the Cotswolds."

House prices

As you might expect from such a tiny and idyllic village, house prices in Upper Swell can be eyewatering to say the least. Properties in the area had an overall average price of £1,986,000 during the last year, according to Rightmove.

Overall, sold prices in Upper Swell over the last year were 8 per cent down on the 2019 peak of £2,148,400.

Got a story in Birmingham or elsewhere in the West Midlands? Get in touch by emailing alexander.brock@reachplc.com.

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