The Lakes by Yoo: Inside the 850-Acre Cotswolds Estate Kate Moss Loves

Why Kate Moss loves the Lakes by Yoo, Cotswolds.

Ninety minutes from London, tucked beside nine shimmering lakes and surrounded by woodland in Lechlade, Oxfordshire, lies Lakes by Yoo—a luxury 850-acre estate conceived by property entrepreneur John Hitchcox in collaboration with Philippe Starck. It offers 160 contemporary homes in a secluded haven favoured by celebrities and design lovers alike.

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A Supermodel’s Sanctuary

Kate Moss isn’t simply a guest—she’s a fixture on the estate. Speaking to Hello! owner John John Hitchcox, and his wife Phoebe Vela-Hitchcox explained the modle celebrated her birthday at the estate. Kate Moss is godmother to John and Phoebe Hitchcox’s son Marley, and even helped design their flagship property, the Barnhouse. John says, “Kate is the best godmother… All the kids were chanting: ‘We want Kate!’”.

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The Barnhouse: Kate Moss’s Interior Vision

This five-bedroom barn-style holiday home is the jewel in the Lakes by Yoo crown:

• A dramatic double-height glass façade, blending aged wood with nature via an eco-conscious scheme in partnership with conservation experts: understated yet bold.
• Interiors reflect Moss’s retro-glam, earthy palette with bespoke furnishings crafted by the same local artisan who built her London dressing room. Floral wallpapers, Berber rugs, mustard and navy velvet sofas, and signature furniture like a silver thunderbolt TV cabinet pay homage to her rock ’n’ roll aesthetic.
• Artworks by Damien Hirst, Allen Jones and others, plus a gallery wall of black-and-white fashion photography—many featuring Moss’s peers—create a curated gallery feel.
• The central living space invites relaxation with oversized velvet sofas, a wood-burning fireplace, record player spinning Moss-curated albums, and two large screens built for cosy nights in.

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Luxurious Yet Playful

The Barnhouse is designed for both indulgence and intimacy:

• An expansive open-plan layout includes a sleek kitchen with polished concrete countertops and a gold-accented dining table set for 12—breakfast supplies like bacon and brioche are ready on arrival.
• A private heated pool, terrace with barbecue and loungers—perfect for al fresco soirées or relaxed family time.
• Downstairs bedrooms include two ground-floor ensuites decorated in serene woodland patterns, while the master suite—upstairs with panoramic lake views—boasts a roll-top bath and extravagant bed linen stocked with Ren products.
• The house is robust enough for families: there’s even a cupboard full of toys, a Crosley record player, board games and vinyls that echo Moss’s old-school favourites like Fleetwood Mac, Patti Smith and Prince.

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Estate Life: A Lifestyle of Sustainability and Adventure

Lakes by Yoo offers far more than luxury homes:

• Famous residents include Moss, Jade Jagger, Jodie Kidd and David Gandy. Kate’s former spa brand, Cosmoss, even features at the estate’s spa.
• It’s a model of sustainability: around 500,000 trees planted, eco ponds, rewilding efforts, rescued farm animals, beekeeping and even harvesting yew tips for medicinal use.
• Activities abound: kayaking, zip-lining, wild swimming, tennis, a teen-friendly playroom in a yurt, bird hides, vegetable gardens, and a mini pet farm with rescued animals .
• On-site: the Orchard Spa, Elsa’s pop-up pizza tipi restaurant, concierge service, and fine dining experiences delivered directly to the homes.

In short, the Barnhouse is more than a show home—it’s Kate Moss’s vision of a rustic-chic retreat: glamorous yet tree-lined, design-led yet cosy, exclusive yet inviting. It’s understandable why she’s so obsessed—and perhaps why so many of her friends—and fans—keep returning.

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