to our new Lakes Magazine.…

It has been quite a journey from conceiving the idea of The Lakes in the early 90s to first visiting a gravel pit in 1999 to where things stand today…

Now you will find 11 magnificent lakes, 170 beautiful houses, a stunning spa and a fabulous restaurant, while hundreds of thousands of plants and trees have been planted, with habitats restored and created to entice animals, birds, insects and… people! To the team of thousands who over the years have helped shape and develop this thriving project, the landscapers, designers, builders, engineers, cleaners, managers, maintenance teams and many others, a huge thank you. To watch kids (and grown-ups) conquer fears, play, learn and discover nature; to watch lifelong friendships grow –this is what The Lakes is all about.

The classic car collection is off to a flying start. A few Lakes’ owners have come together to share ownership and cruise around the Cotswolds in some classics, including a red 308 Ferrari, a flower-power violet Jaguar E-Type, a classic Bentley convertible and more to come. We have enjoyed a couple of fun family adventure days out with friends and other car enthusiasts visiting the Classic Motor Hub in Bibury. Nick and Netty Mason turned heads with their Ferrari 250 GTO; Yasmin Le Bon with her fully refurbed Jag XK120. We’re planning more events in the future.

The Art Park is another initiative that has emerged in recent times where a few owners have come together to invest in artworks and sculptures that brighten up our landscape.

Yoshitomo Nara’s Your Dog and the KAWS piece make many smile, while the mesmerising Hockney trip through Woldgate Woods reminds many of The Lakes in winter. There are a few more on their way…

The Lakes Bar & Kitchen has now been open for a few weeks. We had a great performance by Natalie Imbruglia to kick off our music sessions. Again, more to come in the future.

The beautiful cabins and apartments designed by our multi-award-winning team have proved a huge success in both sales and rentals. Now couples and small groups are able to come visit and live with us for a day, a week, a month, a year – or forever.

JOHN HITCHCOX