Sydney Sweeney Joins Harry and Meghan in the Cotswolds as Celebrity Influx Pushes Holiday Prices Higher

Actress Sydney Sweeney is reportedly considering buying a home in the Cotswolds, adding another high-profile name to the growing list of celebrities attracted to the English countryside.

The 29-year-old Euphoria and The Housemaid star is said to have viewed properties in Little Tew, a small village close to the area where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have recently settled. Little Tew has no shops or pubs.

Sweeney, who spent Christmas in the Cotswolds last year, is reportedly considering dividing her time between the English countryside and her properties in Los Angeles and the Florida Keys.

A source told The Sun that the actress had visited the region twice in the previous ten months, had developed a strong affection for it and viewed a property within the past three months.

Harry and Meghan Join the Cotswolds Celebrity Community

The reported property search comes as the Cotswolds continues to attract wealthy and internationally recognised residents.

Prince Harry and Meghan have moved into a permanent country home with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. The couple reportedly had a property budget of £10 million before completing their search.

They moved into the new residence over the weekend after spending time in the area following their departure from California. The property is reportedly located within the estate of a wealthy businessman who is a friend of the couple and had provided accommodation for them.

The Sussexes had previously spent time at Soho Farmhouse during the early stages of their relationship. The luxury members-only retreat also hosted Meghan’s private hen party in early March 2018.

Other famous names associated with the Cotswolds include David and Victoria Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Beyoncé and Jay-Z have also visited the region, while Taylor Swift stayed there during her 2024 Eras Tour. US Vice President JD Vance also selected the area for a summer holiday.

Hollywood Interest Has Changed the Region’s Tourism Market

The Cotswolds has attracted prominent visitors for generations, including Sir Winston Churchill, author JRR Tolkien and members of the Royal Family.

However, the recent arrival of American celebrities has brought renewed attention to its villages, traditional pubs and countryside accommodation.

The region covers approximately 800 square miles and is known for its honey-coloured stone villages and rural landscapes. Celebrity visitors have frequently been associated with country clothing, traditional pubs and luxury countryside breaks.

The growing demand has coincided with changes in the local hospitality industry. Traditional accommodation establishments have increasingly been joined by expensive gastropubs, luxury resorts and fashionable cafés.

A £24 million CABÜ resort is also scheduled to open next year, a short drive from Soho Farmhouse.

Accommodation Costs Continue to Rise

Visitors who have returned to the Cotswolds for years have experienced increasing holiday costs, including those who previously relied on campsites, bed-and-breakfast establishments and reasonably priced hotels.

The Bell pub in Charlbury, which Queen Camilla is known to enjoy visiting, is currently advertising a December overnight stay for £477. Adding lunch to a weekend visit could take the total bill for two people above £1,000.

The Bull on Sheep Street has welcomed celebrities including Robbie Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. The establishment is reportedly fully booked until January.

Even during January, traditionally one of the less expensive months for tourism, a weekend stay for two at The Bull costs approximately £480.

Families and larger groups also face higher accommodation expenses during the busy summer season. A self-catering property for four people can cost around £1,500, with late bookings potentially reaching almost twice that amount.

Restaurant and Pub Prices Add to Holiday Expenses

Food and drink costs in the Cotswolds are also among the higher prices found in UK tourist destinations.

A pint of locally produced beer costs approximately £6.30, around 80 pence above the national average.

Sunday roasts generally start at about £25, while some popular gastropubs charge approximately £35.

The growing popularity of luxury accommodation and celebrity-frequented establishments has contributed to the region’s reputation as an increasingly expensive holiday destination.

Residents Raise Concerns About Tourism Pressure

The increasing number of visitors has also raised concerns among people who live in the Cotswolds.

Victoria Summerley, who has lived in Bibury for 14 years, told the BBC that the village’s popularity has brought challenges for its small resident population.

Bibury has approximately 600 residents but can receive as many as 20,000 visitors in a single day during peak periods.

Summerley said tourist behaviour had deteriorated in the years following the pandemic and described the amount of rubbish left in the village stream as unbelievable.

The arrival of internationally recognised residents such as Harry and Meghan could bring further attention to the area and increase visitor numbers.

Royal Commentator Questions Whether the Sussexes Will Fit In

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams questioned whether Harry and Meghan would comfortably fit into the Cotswolds’ established celebrity and royal community.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said the couple could struggle to establish themselves among residents and well-known figures already associated with the area.

Fitzwilliams referred to the presence of other members of the Royal Family and the Beckhams, arguing that the Sussexes had ambitions to be regarded as A-list celebrities but had not achieved the same standing.

He also criticised Meghan’s previous television projects, including her involvement with the Daytime Emmys and Junior MasterChef in Australia.

Concerns Over the Sussexes’ Impact on Local Communities

Fitzwilliams also questioned how existing residents might respond to the couple’s arrival.

He suggested that some locals could object to their presence because of their standing in Britain and their public use of royal connections.

According to the commentator, the Cotswolds is home to traditional English villages, rolling countryside and a royal presence, with many residents strongly supportive of the monarchy.

He predicted that the Sussexes’ arrival could attract additional tourists because of the publicity surrounding their move.

Fitzwilliams said the attention generated by the couple could have a noticeable effect on the area.

The Cotswolds has therefore become an increasingly popular destination for wealthy celebrities, while rising accommodation, food and drink prices and growing visitor numbers continue to affect the experience of residents and holidaymakers.