Aerial view of Great Tew, near Chipping Norton (Image: SWNS)
Locals and shop owners in a Cotswolds town where Taylor Swift is rumoured to be staying are preparing free gifts for her – and even picking out outfits she could buy.
Global superstar Taylor Swift is rumoured to have moved into a £3,000-a-night rental property near Diddly Squat Farm and The Beckhams’ home.
The famous singer is said to be using the posh digs in Great Tew, near Chipping Norton, as a quiet getaway during her sell-out Eras tour.
The area is home to many celebrities, including The Beckhams, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell and David Cameron.
Taylor, and boyfriend Kansas City Chiefs footballer Travis Kelce, are expected to spend time in the Cotswolds over the coming weeks.
‘Swifties’ hoping to catch a glimpse could also pop into Jeremy’s Clarkson’s shop on Diddly Squat Farm – as featured on hit Amazon Prime show Clarkson’s Farm.
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The Diddly Squat Farm Shop. (Image: SWNS)
Soho Farmhouse, a private members only club that charges £2,950 a year in membership fees. (Image: SWNS)
Local traders say they are excited she’s in town, and are preparing gifts – and even outfit choices in local clothes shops.
Her temporary abode is a stone’s throw from Soho Farmhouse, a private members only club that charges £2,950 a year in membership fees.
The place is frequented by A-listers and high flyers, and even hosted Meghan Markle’s hen do.
One of only 33 Michelin Green Star restaurants in the country, The Trough at Daylesford Farm is a likely go-to for Taylor.
The posh eatery serves up a salad for £23 and a cheese tart for £18.50. A bottle of the best red wine sets customers back £55.
As Taylor and Travis approach their first anniversary together, perhaps they’ll spend more time at home cooking.
During a recent Kansas City Chiefs press conference, Travis said he “thoroughly” enjoys cooking with Taylor.
“Taylor makes a great Pop-Tart and cinnamon roll”, he spilled.
The Daylesford Farm shop boasts a stock of very expensive but quality organic foods – from fresh meats to a pack of five chocolate chip biscuits at £9.49.
A pot of honey costs £10.99 and a punnet of juicy strawberries are £4.99. For veggie fans, a handful of purple asparagus is yours for £8.99.
In Chipping Norton, businesses said they would welcome the singer with open arms.
Justin Alderslade, 54, owns an independent shop Hyde and Home, selling unique gifts.
The Daylesford Farm Shop. (Image: SWNS)
The Daylesford Farm Shop produce. (Image: SWNS)
He often serves Amanda Holden and her family – and is excited to welcome Taylor Swift.
“I think she’s very good for the industry and I think she’s a really good role model.
“I think she’d probably like to have a look around here. I’d probably want to give her a free gift to encourage her to visit.
“If she popped in, I’d be very excited – I think I’d have to have a photo taken, which I don’t usually do.
“We need more excitement for around the town. Jeremy Clarkson has done really good things for the farming community, but, he doesn’t come shopping here.
“We have Amanda Holden in quite a lot. She lives locally, so it’s quite nice when she comes in; the staff are quite excited about it.”
Sally Allen, 56, who runs the independent woman’s clothing store Nutmeg, picked out an outfit for Taylor in the hope she’ll visit.
“I’m not surprised she’s staying near Chipping Norton because it’s such a gorgeous area everybody’s friendly and lots of big names live here. She will love the countryside, the scenery is gorgeous.
“We’ve got The Beckhams, Harry and Meghan have been up the Soho [Farmhouse], we’ve got Simon Cowell, David Cameron, Jeremy Clarkson and Amanda Holden too.
“I’ve seen David Beckham outside, he gets round the town. I’ve seen Simon driving past in his car a few times.
“We’ve seen the traffic increase. I think it’s because people want to see if they can bump into celebrities.
“Even though they tend to live in the villages rather than the town, people do tend to come to town and hope they’ll spot someone.
“I’ve chosen an outfit for her, the brand is FOIL, which is a designer brand. We sell a lot of them, it seems to be very popular.
“I could just see her wearing those colours, with some nice high cowboy boots or something, it’d look quite funky on her I’m sure.”
Street in Chipping Norton. (Image: SWNS)
But 81-year-old local Mo Brown was worried Taylor’s visit to Chipping Norton would cause too much of a stir.
She said: “I had heard she was here. I don’t follow her music, but I see her everywhere, she’s all over the place.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing her, she’s very attractive but there’ll be an awful lot of people, so it might cause a bit of a disruption.
“I think she’s staying in Great Tew, if not Soho Farmhouse.
“I think she’s a very admirable person, she’s amazing – look what she’s achieved. But yeah, probably not the right fit for the town.”
19-year-old Liam Reast, from Wales, is holidaying in Chipping Norton – but has little interest in Taylor’s potential visit.
He said: “I’m not a big fan of her to be honest. If I bumped into her, it’s a weird coincidence; I’d be lucky to, but I don’t really care that much.
“Her music’s ok to be fair, it’s not something I’d ever listen to, I wouldn’t really feel the need to take a photo with her.
“She’s bought the place out for a few months, its about £3,000 a night and she’s spent a million. It’s crazy to have that sort of money.
“To buy out a cottage for that long as well is a bit unfair to other people, we’re just here for a week.
“It’s a love area, it’s definitely a good place to be in nature. It’s not it’s the place to be if she’s going to be coming back between Europe and here, she’s going to be doing lots of flying.
“I don’t know why she didn’t just get hotels or cottages elsewhere, instead of having to fly in between.”
