Property – The Lakes by Yoo

Many of us dream of getting away from the rat race, leaving the smoky city behind and finding peace and tranquility in the countryside. We all have visions of ourselves foraging for wild mushrooms, building fires and swimming in the river. But, when it comes down to it, we actually get a little bit bored. A week in a rainy Dorset village, the damp pouring through the ceiling, no wifi, no coffee shops, no escape… doesn’t do it for us.

This is where The Lakes by Yoo comes in. It’s a series of holiday homes in the famously beautiful Cotswolds, only 90 minutes from London. These properties offer all the advantages of country living, with none of the cons.

Set in a 650 acre estate, with six gloriously clear lakes, each house is custom-built. They range from four to six en-suite bedrooms, and every aspect can be chosen by the owner. Can’t live without a flatscreen TV? Not a problem. Need an east-facing master bedroom? Easy peasy. Wife got an obsession with Kelly Hoppen’s interior design? Well, waddaya know, Hoppen herself is on-hand here.

Better yet, there’s a comprehensive property management and concierge service, removing all the worry of a country property. You can simply show up on a Friday evening, have a weekend of larking, frolicking, gadding and whatever else people do in the country, and then, hey-ho, skiddadle back to London after lunch on Sunday.

You can either spend the entire weekend unwinding (there’s a spa), or take part in numerous laid-on activities such as fishing, sailing, canoeing or local equestrian life. Children can be packed off to the action-filled kids club and teens can have the freedom to run wild with their friends in a safe, friendly environment.

To put it bluntly, The Lakes by Yoo is a genius concept. This kind of design, attention to detail and luxury surroundings doesn’t usually come cheap. But the most astounding thing about these properties is how reasonable they are. Prices start at £925,000 and go up to £3,000,000. For a whole fantasy life: bargain.

For more information visit thelakesbyyoo.com