Founded by Clement Lauchard and Beatrice Savoretti, Vigour and Skills launched to celebrate craftsmanship in the Cotswolds by spotlighting the stories and skills of local makers.
What started as a local idea, developed into a nationwide community of talented artisans. From hand-thrown ceramics to fine jewellery and leather goods, Vigour and Skills showcase a carefully curated selection of work, along with behind-the-scenes footage that brings each maker’s story to life. Based in Burford, they collaborate with makers across the UK, host workshops and create content to highlight storytelling, transparency and encourage people to shop in a thoughtful and connected way. Beatrice and Clement share their unique insights to this corner of the Cotswolds.
We moved to the Cotswolds just over five years ago, when Bea was pregnant with our second baby. Before that, our visits had been mostly weekends with friends and family, followed by a quick return to the city. But living here revealed something entirely different, life became about slowing down, connecting with people, and enjoying the seasons in a way that’s both productive and joyful. The city skyline will always be part of our story, but nothing compares to experiencing the rhythm of life here, surrounded by makers, artists, and open countryside.
Our studio in Burford, particularly in the early morning light when the shop is still and the scent of fresh coffee drifts in from next door at Upton Smokery’ Deli. It’s a daily reminder of why we’re here, to celebrate craftsmanship, beauty, and calm, and delicious coffee!.
Where we live in the Barringtons. Just across the lane from our house, a field opens up between Little and Great Barrington, and there’s nowhere we take deeper breaths. It’s a view that changes with the seasons, from misty winter mornings to wildflower-filled summers, and somehow always feels like the heart of why we live here.
Spending time losing oneself in the enchanting gardens of Asthall Manor, so rich in history and creativity, or wandering through the beautiful grounds of Cornbury Park. Both places have a quiet, timeless energy, spaces that invite reflection and remind us why we fell in love with this landscape.
Burford High Street before the world wakes up, the soft hum of delivery vans, the smell of baking bread, and the glow from the old stone shopfronts. Or, if we have a little extra time, an early walk through Great Barrington down to the Windrush River, a peaceful way to start the day.
The Cotswolds are full of quiet, unassuming treasures. Chloe’s Deli in Charlbury becomes a real community hub in the evenings, while the Charlbury Art Society’s annual spring exhibition in partnership with the Garden Society is a highlight for anyone who loves local creativity. Between the hidden studios in Wilcote, the friendly cafés, and back lanes full of discovery, the real character of the Cotswolds only reveals itself when you slow down and look.
We can never resist Upton Smokery deli in Burford, it’s always full of delicious surprises. In summer, the Straw Kitchen is our go-to for long, lazy lunches with a view.
If we feel like a drive, The Woolpack is always buzzing with energy, while closer to home The Bull and The Bell in Charlbury are firm favourites, the kind of places where you’re bound to bump into friends and stay longer than planned.
Visiting local makers is always inspiring, from potters and artists in Wilcote to the annual Charlbury Art Society exhibition. There’s a constant dialogue here between craft and community, small workshops, open studios, and exhibitions that create a quietly thriving creative network.
When we crave something beyond the local, the Ashmolean in Oxford is wonderful for a hit of past, present, and future. We recently went to see an exhibition by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood, it felt both nostalgic and deeply inspiring, a reminder of how creativity continually evolves and connects.
Truly, there’s no place like home. When we first moved here, our children were babies or not yet born and there was no sign of Luca our labrador. All of a sudden with school discos, trips away, and sleepovers taking over, any time we are all together feels very special. A glass of rosé in our garden on a summer evening watching the kids play, or settling down in front of the fire on a crisp winter night, is priceless.
That it’s just pretty villages and weekenders. The real Cotswolds are alive year-round, a thriving community of makers, farmers, artists, and families who shape the landscape and culture, season by season.
Crafted, Seasonal, Authentic.
The sight of the first asparagus spears poking their heads up from the ground marks the start of a fleeting season.
Spring in the Cotswolds reveals itself gently, as the landscape stirs back to life. After the stillness of winter, there’s a gradual sense of awakening– hedgerows soften into green, orchards come into blossom and fields brighten with the first fresh…...
With the first glimmer of sunlight, green shoots of wild garlic begin to appear in the woodlands of our Cotswold farm. Our chefs harvest the fragrant leaves by hand ready to bring a taste of spring to our menus....
