Villages of the famous: The real impact of celebrity neighbours on rural England

As more celebrities swap city life for the quiet lanes of rural England, a divide is emerging between those who welcome their famous new neighbours and those who would rather they stayed in the spotlight.

Sharon Barnard of Stacks Property Search in the Cotswolds works in the eye of the current celebrity storm. She says, “Chipping Norton has long been known for its saturation of A-Listers, and recently Wigginton has been in the spotlight due to the arrival of Beyonce and Jay-Z. Meanwhile Calvin Harris is raising the profile of Longborough, a sleepy village with a delightfully unpretentious pub just outside Moreton in Marsh.

“Some buyers are actively avoiding these celebrity hotspots, seeking out the charm of the countryside without the bling; they're looking for a quieter more authentic version of this beautiful area. Others are unquestionably chasing star proximity.

“In the Cotswolds village of Charlbury, just east of Chipping Norton, and close to the whole Daylesford empire, property scarcity has reached new heights. “You can't find a property for love nor money; every agent is desperate for listings — it's just so much on people's radar.”

In some areas, the celebrity effect is less pronounced. “Damien Hirst has lived near Ilfracombe for years and it's made no real difference,” says Nick Cunningham of Stacks Property Search in Devon. “Most of this area's high-profile residents want privacy. They keep a low profile — no A-list parties, no outrageous demands, no fuss.”

Anto Clay of Stacks Property Search in Herefordshire says, “There's generally a celebrity parity-effect. Once a big name moves in, others soon follow. Prime markets thrive on it.

“Long-time residents sometimes feel that the arrival of celebrities and wealthy newcomers changes the community culture, making it less close-knit or authentic. But the flip side of that is that there's often a sense of prestige or pride in saying you live near a celebrity – depending on who that celebrity is!”

Sharon Barnard says, “The celebrity factor is a double-edged sword. While locals can be negative about the incoming bling, high profile residents bring business to local pubs, shops, and tradespeople. “Their little black books fill up with the names of local gardeners, florists, caterers, builders, plumbers and electricians. It's certainly a boost to local employment and the economy.

“And Celebrity residents bring traction and profile to rural areas. While the Cotswolds has always been in high demand, its constant presence in the media – whether that's Clarkson's Farm, the tabloids, social media or lifestyle shows - is unquestionably making the area more aspirational, affecting levels of interest from UK and overseas buyers. Where you have a strong celebrity effect, good properties are selling fast and at robust prices.”

Stacks Property Search, 01594 842880 / www.stacks.co.uk

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