To the manor reborn

Reimagining the country home

Across the British countryside, a quiet evolution is taking place. The traditional country manor – long a symbol of heritage, history and permanence – is being reimagined for the 21st century.

The nineteenth century saw an erosion of many landed estates as parcels of land and outlying cottages were sold off to fund essential repairs. Diversity became the watch word. Today’s discerning home owners are no longer simply custodians of the past, but architects of the future: blending modern functionality with period elegance. The result is a new breed of country home, one that honours legacy while embracing the innovations that define contemporary luxury. Alongside that we are witnessing new owners buying back surrounding land and properties in a bid to protect their privacy.

Modern interiors with an historic soul

Internally, things are changing too. Heavy brocade and dark oak panelling are giving way to lighter palettes, natural materials and spaces defined by air and light. Original features such as beams, cornices and fireplaces are preserved and celebrated, but they are now complemented by openplan layouts, bespoke kitchens and spa-like bathrooms that reflect a more relaxed, international lifestyle.

This transformation is not about erasure, but adaptation. A listed manor house might now include a state-of-the-art cinema, subterranean wine cellar, or wellness pavilion – all designed with a sensitivity to proportion, craft and historical context. It’s a delicate balancing act: honouring the integrity of the past while opening doors to a more holistic, health-driven and technologically connected future.

Wellness through acoustics and materials

In this new chapter of country living, wellness isn’t confined to yoga rooms or plunge pools. Increasingly, it is found in the unseen: the hush of a library, the softness of a footfall, the absence of mechanical hum.

Acoustic design is emerging as a subtle but essential layer of luxury. From the choice of flooring to the insulation behind walls; every decision contributes to the soundscape of a home – and therefore, to its atmosphere of calm and sanctuary.

Sound as a design element

Soft flooring materials – like wide-plank oak, recycled cork, or high-density wool carpets – help absorb sound without compromising aesthetic. In larger, open spaces, acoustic plaster ceilings and upholstered wall panels serve a similar function, dampening echo and enhancing intimacy.

In newly designed music rooms, performance spaces, or recording studios, bespoke acoustic treatments are crafted with the same rigour as cabinetry or stonework. Meanwhile, silent mechanical systems, including ultra-quiet ventilation, plumbing routed with care and discreet door closers ensure that comfort is never compromised by noise.

Insulated internal walls also play a crucial role, especially in multi-generational homes or estates that host guests. With careful planning, private quarters can feel truly private – even when the house is full.

A return to stillness

Above all, this new wave of country estate design places value on serenity. In a world increasingly defined by speed, stillness becomes a luxury in itself. Whether it’s the soft rustle of trees outside a triple-glazed window or the enveloping silence of a reading room, today’s country homes are embracing a new kind of richness, defined not just by materials and square footage, but by atmosphere, intention and peace.

As the British country estate evolves, it becomes more than a residence. It becomes a place where heritage and innovation, beauty and utility and privacy and connection all exist in harmony.

New faces

We’re excited to welcome two new faces to the Cotswolds team this month – Harriet and Phil!

Harriet – Quantity Surveyor

Harriet joins us as a Quantity Surveyor and brings plenty of hands-on experience – both professionally and personally! She’s currently working on her fourth home renovation project, this time in her favourite Cotswold village, Broadway. When she’s not bringing properties to life, you’ll find her out in the countryside riding horses or walking her two dogs, Ruby and Riley

Phil – Site Manager

Joining us as Site Manager, Phil is no stranger to a challenge! He’s a keen motorsports competitor, taking part in hill climbs, sprints, and Autosolos with his almost standard MX5 Mk3.

October concluded the 2025 Bristol Motor Bristol Motor Club MX5 Challenge at the Great Western Sprint at the Castle Combe Circuit. On the day, the returning 2024 Overall Champion turned up and not only won the event but broke the MX5 Challenge lap record for good measure breaking a long standing record, closely followed by another record breaking champ in second. Phil rounded off the overall podium in his final drive for a while in his NC (incase you need to ask – and I did – that is a third generation MX5 – wiser now?). Phil also won Class B with two wins, three second places and two third places in his debut season. And, if that isn’t impressive enough – he also won the Classic Marks Speed Challenge in the Mazda Class. Go Phil! We look forward to seeing how all this speed and precision pays off on site!

And elsewhere

We have also welcomed Sam Fanning, who has joined us as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor within our Castellum Studio division.

Sam brings experience from his time at Loughborough University and a placement with Walter Lily. Outside of work, Sam is a keen sports enthusiast – enjoying football, rugby, golf and padel – and also likes travelling, spending time with friends and keeping active at the gym. During the summer, Sam and some friends from Uni arranged their own ‘Cyder Cup’ golf weekend: Reds v Blues. Sam was on the winning blue team!

“but over summer me and some Uni friends booked in our own Cyder Cup weekend – Red vs Blue. We won just for some insight”

In other news

Baby news

Emily has shared the very exciting news with us all this month that she and her partner (another Sam) are expecting their first baby next Easter. They are busy beavering away on their house renovations and now there is a deadline! Standby for kitchen updates next month but, in the meantime, here is a picture of the scan. Huge congratulations to them both!

And more Flo news...

This journal is not about Flo but taking the limelight once more (following her engagement and then her wedding) she has more exciting news! She is now a UK Citizen! Whoop whoop! Huge congratulations Flo!

And finally for this month...

In the Cotswolds, our very own Rebecca Burke recently joined forces with Oli Gilberthorpe of Lauren Gilberthorpe Interiors and Tom Waltham from Savills to launch Chapter I of Pavillion – a new networking events series designed to connect the property community across the Cotswolds and beyond.

The event took place at Elkstone Studios, bringing together local professionals for an evening that perfectly blended business and leisure. Guests enjoyed the chance to try their hand at padel, with expert coaching from Padel Shift, while soaking up live jazz music from a talented local band the trio discovered earlier this year at The Cheltenham Jazz Festival. The evening was rounded off with a fantastic selection of local food and drink, celebrating the very best of the region. We are looking forward to seeing what this team does in Chapter II… coming soon.