Set amidst 850 acres of Cotswolds countryside, The Lakes by YOO is a collection of bespoke private homes, lakeside cabins and luxury apartments, offering an authentic wilderness oasis and unique approach to sustainable living just 90 minutes outside London. In becoming a homeowner at The Lakes, investors are not just buying a property, but are buying into the inimitable Lakes lifestyle and laid back pace of life, with an array of world-class facilities at their fingertips, including a brand new Spa by YOO, just-opened bar and restaurant and a new creative Kids Club. 

Newest to market are The Lakes by YOO’s luxuriously-appointed apartments, each with three en-suite bedrooms; whilst a newly-built two-bedroom lakeside cabin and several larger one-of-a-kind private homes are also currently for sale. Brought to life by the award-winning YOO Studio - founded by international property entrepreneur John Hitchcox and the world’s most celebrated designer, Philippe Stark, each architecturally striking property blends contemporary design with sustainable touches and natural materials. Sustainably-sourced larchwood and Cotswolds stone see the properties blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings, whilst floor-to-ceiling glass windows and expansive wooden decks bring the outside in. Every property has been designed with privacy and security in mind, offering utmost seclusion in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside. 

 A discerning group of individuals and families with shared values - primarily a commitment to community and an innate love for nature and spending time amongst the great outdoors - homeowners at The Lakes by YOO are an integral part of the estate’s fabric. Every homeowner on the estate is awarded a host of added benefits, including access to The Lakes’ dedicated concierge service, who can arrange everything from private chefs and mixologists to at-home spa therapists, yoga teachers and personal trainers. Those with a penchant for wellness will rejoice with the highly-anticipated arrival of The Lakes by YOO’s brand new Spa by YOO, which opened last month. A sanctuary of serenity, The Spa by YOO offers a range of pioneering treatments rooted in the principles of longevity, including holistic wellness rituals in partnership with COSMOSS by Kate Moss, signature MOSS of the ISLES body therapies, Dr. Barbara Sturm facials and science-led therapies, including state-of-the-art cryotherapy,  Infrared Sauna, LED and PEM therapy. Beyond the spa, there are an endless number of ways to keep active amongst this idyllic setting: residents are free to roam across the wildflower meadows and woodlands, discovering the 11 lakes ripe for wild swimming, kayaking or paddle-boarding, whilst cricket, golf practice and even top quality coaching in tennis and football can be arranged. 

 Every property on the estate comes with a state-of-the-art kitchen or kitchenette,  but The Lakes Bar & Kitchen is on hand for the days when homeowners don’t feel like cooking. Two-conjoined tipi tents tucked between the shores of Marley Lake and Sailing Lake, The Lakes Bar & Kitchen opened earlier this year and has fast become the hub of The Lakes community, serving up brunch-style dishes and sharing plates throughout the day, alongside tempting tipples and panoramic lake views. 

The serene setting also offers the opportunity to connect with the whole family thanks to a wide range of exhilarating activities available for all ages, including canoeing, guided bushcraft, zip-lining and climbing. Throughout the school holidays, the estate’s newly-introduced Kids Club promises to keep little ones entertained with everything from sports camps and archery to raft building and arts & crafts, offering parents some much-deserved down time. 

 Operating with sustainability at its core, The Lakes by YOO is committed to the protection and preservation of its surrounding natural world, and as such investors are not only homeowners, but guardians for the future of the estate. Contributions will go towards The Lakes by YOO’s sustainable initiatives, including the upkeep of its on-site farm, beehives, eco-ponds and rewilding projects. 

Highlight properties for sale:

• Lakeside Apartments: completed just last year, The Lakes by YOO’s most exciting new additions are its Lakeside Apartments. Each is luxuriously appointed with three en-suite bedrooms, each with its own spacious private balcony, alongside an open-plan living and dining area with a fully-equipped kitchen, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and lakeside balcony. Apartments on the ground floor have direct access to Marley Lake and an expansive terrace with an al fresco living and dining area, whilst those on the first and second floors have panoramic views of the lake and rolling hills beyond. Interiors have been brought to life by the team at YOO Studio, with three different colour palettes available, each giving the apartments a homely yet contemporary feel. Ideal for families or those wanting some extra space, each Apartment averages around 1,300 sq ft. From £1,500,000. 
• Lakeside Cabin: offering double-height open-plan living on the edge of Marley Lake, this newly-built cabin is complete with a private lakeside garden and entertaining deck, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. A convenient folding Kitchenette opens onto an open-plan living space, featuring a large dining table for entertaining, roaring wood burner and awe-inspiring lakeside vistas thanks to the 9m glazed frontage.  Interiors by YOO Studio feature natural materials and an earthy colour palette of burnt reds, chocolate and ochres, giving a rustic flair to the cosy lakeside dwelling. 999 sq ft. £1,400,000.  
• Gullwing Cabins: currently in the final stages of completion, these three-bedroom cabins sit on the edge of the lake, with cosy interiors, an open-plan living and kitchen space and a spacious outdoor terrace. From £1,825,000. 
• The Pool Deck: a five-bedroom, seven-bathroom bespoke three-storey home, situated on the shores of Bowmoor Lake. In a prime position on the estate, this established home blends effortlessly with its countryside surroundings. Towering retractable glass doors fill the space with natural light, and an expansive kitchen-living area is perfect for entertaining friends or the whole family. Out on the lakeside deck, owners can enjoy the hot hub and sunken pool whilst the property's rooftop terrace is the ideal spot for sundowners. £5,750,000.
• Pool Lodge: also located on the exclusive Bowmoor Lake, this six-bedroom, six-bathroom home is one of the largest on the estate, complete with private boat docking, a landing beach and a lakeside swimming pool. Contemporary architecture and open-plan interiors are married perfectly with an approach to sustainable living, with the use of local materials, a solar PV array and electric car charging points. Five of the six bedrooms have access to a viewing deck, so homeowners can enjoy the panoramic lake views from every corner of this spectacular home. £6,950,000. 
• Manor Farm Barns: an exclusive barn conversion development which - in a first for the estate - will offer the rare opportunity to become a permanent resident of The Lakes by YOO community. Each of the Manor Farm Barns will be sold as shells to allow owners to work alongside YOO’s designers to bring their own vision to life. Each barn is steeped in rich history and its own character, offering open-plan living and panoramic views of Bowmoor Sailing Lake. Just three plots remain, including:

• The Shredding Barn: a three-bedroom, four-bathroom property set over two floors, with space for an open-plan living/dining space, separate snug, relaxing outdoor space and outdoor swimming pool

• The Warehouse: a four-bedroom, four-bathroom one-of-a-kind barn conversion. Designed with car collectors in mind, The Warehouse comes complete with a garage with ample parking for four supercars or classic cars

• The Roll Top: a two-storey Dutch Barn style roll top barn, featuring five bedrooms and bathrooms and open-plan entertaining spaces.