An award-winning Cotswolds holiday home rental business has enjoyed a “record” trading period amid an influx of US tourists.

StayCotswold, based in Stow-on-the-Wold, has experienced a sharp rise in bookings by American visitors.

It said tourists had a “thirst” to enjoy the quintessential aspects of English life, such as the rolling countryside, local pubs and thatched cottages.

During the peak summer holiday season from June to August, the overall number of arrivals increased by 23 per cent compared to the same period last year, with forward bookings up by 28 per cent. For arrivals, August was a record month.

For the year to 31 March, gross booking value is now forecast to be over 20 per cent higher than the previous 12 months, when StayCotswold achieved a record £11.3m.

In the current financial year, the company has added more than 20 properties to its portfolio, taking the total to 275.

Its portfolio includes cottages, houses, luxury converted barns, manor houses, farmhouses and shepherd’s huts. They can cater for two people all the way up to groups of 28.

A new collection of thatched holiday properties has been launched by the business as demand for them increases and the number in its portfolio grows.

Owner-director Tracy Archer said: “The Cotswolds is awash with beautiful thatched cottages, and Americans especially want to stay in them for their quintessential English character and feel.

“While bookings from other international markets such as Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands have remained steady, the American market is showing strong growth.

“There’s been a marked increase in US visitors to the Cotswolds in the past year. Our US bookings have surged and now account for almost five per cent of our overall business.  

“American visitors love to experience ‘real England’ by coming to the Cotswolds. They enjoy the rolling countryside and local pubs, and find it the perfect place to relax. There’s so much history here, and they tell us it’s an ideal place to stay if they are visiting cities such as Oxford and Bath as part of their itinerary.

“There’s also been a lot of media focus on celebrities visiting and living in the Cotswolds, which has helped create more awareness.”

Archer said StayCotswold is increasing its market share as its portfolio grows, and is expanding in places such as Cirencester, Charlbury and Broadway.

The company, in line with its growth, has recruited three members of staff. Megan Barratt has joined the guest services team and Abi Modeste has arrived at the marketing team. Working across both departments is Laura Percival.

Archer said forward bookings between April 1 and the end of August were up 42 per cent compared with the same period last year. The Christmas period is also trading strongly, with only 27 properties left available in the portfolio.

She added: “The outlook for 2026 is very positive as we continue to see growing demand from domestic and international markets. 

“With more properties being added to our portfolio, we’re confident that we will continue to build on this momentum and give even more guests the chance to experience the very best of the Cotswolds.”