Moving to the Cotswolds in 2026: 10 Things to Check Before Moving Day

Narrow village lanes, stone gate pillars, limited turning space, long gravel drives, restricted parking, tight entrances and older properties with awkward staircases are all things that can affect how a move needs to be planned.

At A. Luckes & Son, we have been carrying out household removals since 1996. Based in Swindon, we regularly work throughout Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, including moves around Cirencester, Malmesbury and the surrounding villages.

Our experience has taught us something important: with Cotswold moves, the journey itself is rarely the only consideration. Sometimes the final few hundred metres require the most careful planning.

This guide explains ten things we recommend checking before moving to the Cotswolds, particularly if your new home is in a rural location, an older village or a period property.

1. Check Whether a Full-Size Removal Vehicle Can Reach the Property

One of the first things we look at when planning removals to the Cotswolds is vehicle access.

This is particularly important if you are moving to a village, hamlet, farm conversion or countryside property.

Being able to reach a property in a family car does not automatically mean that the same route is suitable for a removal vehicle.

Things that can make a difference include:

• the width of the lane;
• sharp bends and junctions;
• low or overhanging branches;
• stone walls close to the carriageway;
• narrow bridges;
• restricted turning areas;
• roadside parking;
• weight, width or height restrictions;
• steep approaches;
• the availability of passing places.

There is also the question of what happens once the removal vehicle arrives.

A road may technically be wide enough for the lorry, but if there is nowhere suitable to stop, turn or work safely, a different approach may be needed.

This is why access should be considered during the survey rather than discovered when the crew reaches the destination.

We have written separately about the problems that can arise when parking, stairs, narrow roads and other access issues are not identified beforehand in our guide to access problems on moving day.

2. Do Not Assume the Driveway Is Suitable for a Removal Lorry

A long private drive can be one of the attractions of buying a rural Cotswold home, but it can also require extra thought on moving day.

When surveying a move, the question is not simply whether there is a driveway. We need to understand whether it is practical and safe for the vehicle being used.

Things worth checking include:

• the width of the entrance;
• stone gate pillars or narrow gateways;
• overhanging trees;
• the strength and condition of the surface;
• steep gradients;
• tight bends;
• space for the vehicle to turn;
• whether reversing for a long distance would be required;
• soft verges or ground beside the drive.

A beautiful gravel approach designed around cars may not necessarily have been designed with a large commercial vehicle in mind.

The same applies to converted barns, former farm buildings and properties reached through shared courtyards.

None of these things automatically makes the move difficult. They simply need to be understood in advance so that the correct vehicle, crew and moving method can be planned.

3. Find Out Whether a Shuttle Vehicle May Be Needed

One of the most useful options for difficult-access moves is a smaller shuttle vehicle.

If the main removal vehicle cannot safely reach the front of a property, belongings can sometimes be transferred between the property and the larger vehicle using a smaller vehicle.

This approach can be particularly useful for:

• narrow rural lanes;
• restricted village centres;
• tight gateways;
• steep or awkward driveways;
• properties where there is very little turning space;
• homes set a considerable distance back from the road.

At A. Luckes & Son, shuttle vehicle requirements are something we consider during the planning stage of a Cotswold move.

If one is required, it is far better to know beforehand than to arrive on moving day and discover that the main vehicle cannot reach the property.

This is one reason our Cotswolds removals service begins with a proper assessment of the move rather than a quote based simply on the number of bedrooms.

4. Check Parking and Loading Arrangements Before Moving Day

Parking can be just as important as road access.

The removal crew ideally needs to position the vehicle reasonably close to the property. If the vehicle has to be parked a significant distance away, every item has to travel that extra distance by hand.

That affects the time, labour and practical planning of the move.

This can be particularly relevant in historic market towns and older village centres where streets may be narrow and on-street parking is limited.

Depending on the location, it may be necessary to investigate local parking arrangements, restrictions or road conditions before moving day.

For current official information relating to parking, travel and road closures within the district, the Cotswold District Council parking, travel and visitors section is a useful starting point.

Remember that the situation at your particular property matters as much as the general parking rules.

A seemingly small detail such as several neighbours’ vehicles parked outside the house can dramatically change the usable working space available to a removal crew.

If you know parking may be awkward, tell your removal company when the move is being surveyed rather than on the morning itself.

5. Measure Access Inside Period and Character Properties

Many people move to the Cotswolds specifically because they have fallen in love with an older property.

Stone cottages, townhouses, converted barns and period homes have enormous character, but their internal dimensions may bear little resemblance to those of a modern house.

Potential access issues include:

• narrow front doors;
• small entrance halls;
• tight staircases;
• low ceilings;
• exposed beams;
• sharp staircase turns;
• small landings;
• split-level rooms;
• restricted rear access.

This becomes particularly important when moving large sofas, bed frames, wardrobes, desks and dining furniture.

Measure the furniture as well as the doorway

A common mistake is measuring the width of a door and assuming an item will fit because it is technically narrower.

Furniture usually needs space to turn, tilt and manoeuvre as well.

For example, a sofa may pass through the doorway but then be unable to turn into the hallway.

A large bed frame may fit upstairs but not negotiate the final turn onto the landing.

In some cases furniture can be dismantled before it is moved and reassembled inside the new property.

If you are considering professional help with packing or dismantling, our packing service can be included as part of the removal quotation.

6. Think About Protecting Floors, Walls and Entrances

Moving into a beautiful property should not mean damaging it in the process.

Older homes can contain surfaces and features that need additional care, including:

• timber flooring;
• stone or tiled floors;
• narrow doorframes;
• painted staircases;
• bannisters;
• tight hallway corners;
• older internal finishes.

Protection matters at the property you are leaving as well as the property you are moving into.

A professional removal team should consider the route that furniture and boxes will take through both buildings before loading begins.

At A. Luckes & Son, our moving equipment includes items such as carpet protection, wardrobe cartons, sofa and mattress covers and TV protectors. The exact requirements depend on the property and contents being moved.

Planning the working route beforehand also reduces unnecessary handling. The fewer times a large or delicate item needs to be repositioned, the better.

7. Arrange Your Removals Survey Early

If there is one piece of advice we would particularly emphasise when moving to the Cotswolds, it is to arrange the removals survey early.

A good survey is not simply about counting boxes.

It allows the removal company to assess the practical details that determine how the move should operate.

A survey can help establish:

• the approximate volume of belongings being moved;
• vehicle requirements;
• access at both properties;
• parking arrangements;
• the likely carry distance;
• the number of crew members required;
• items requiring dismantling;
• packing requirements;
• heavy or specialist items;
• whether storage is required;
• whether a shuttle vehicle may be necessary.

This is particularly valuable for rural and period properties where the address alone tells us very little about how straightforward the physical move will be.

We explain this in greater detail in our guide to the benefits of arranging your removals survey early.

You can also read what happens at a removals survey if you have never had one before and want to know what to expect.

Why this matters for your quotation

Accurate planning also leads to a more meaningful quotation.

Two three-bedroom houses can require completely different levels of work if one has straightforward parking and modern access while the other is reached down a narrow lane with a long carry to the front door.

Our guide explaining how removal quotes are calculated looks in more detail at the effect of volume, labour, access, distance and additional services.

8. Consider Storage If Your Dates Do Not Line Up

Not every house move involves leaving one property in the morning and receiving the keys to the next one a few hours later.

Sometimes there is a gap.

You might:

• complete the sale before the new property is ready;
• be carrying out renovation work;
• be downsizing and need time to decide what to keep;
• move into temporary accommodation first;
• need part of the household contents stored separately.

In these circumstances, storage can provide somewhere secure for your belongings between properties.

It is important to distinguish this from the physical removal itself. Storage does not solve access issues or move the furniture to the new house; it provides a secure holding point when the timing of the two properties does not line up.

A. Luckes & Son offers short and long-term storage options from our Swindon facility, which can be incorporated into the wider removal plan where required.

If you think there may be a gap between properties, mention it at the survey stage. It is easier to plan storage as part of the move from the beginning than to reorganise everything at short notice.

9. Tell Your Remover About Unusual, Heavy or Valuable Items

Every household has different contents, and occasionally an item requires considerably more planning than an ordinary box or piece of furniture.

Examples might include:

• upright or grand pianos;
• antiques;
• large paintings or mirrors;
• grandfather clocks;
• oversized dining tables;
• very large wardrobes;
• garden ornaments or statuary;
• heavy workshop equipment;
• unusually fragile furniture.

These should be discussed during the survey.

The surveyor can then consider weight, dimensions, access, protection and the handling equipment needed.

Pianos are a good example. Their weight is only part of the problem. Their shape, weight distribution and the access route through the property all need consideration. If you have one to move, our guide explaining how to move a piano safely explains why advance assessment is so important.

The same principle applies to any unusual item: tell the removal company before moving day.

A surprise grand piano at 8am is considerably harder to plan for than one discussed during the survey.

10. Plan the Final 100 Metres as Carefully as the Rest of the Journey

If you are moving from elsewhere in the UK to the Cotswolds, you may spend a great deal of time thinking about the main journey.

Ironically, that may be the easiest part.

Motorways and major roads are predictable. The last section of the journey to a rural property often is not.

The final approach might involve:

• a single-track lane;
• a narrow village street;
• a private road;
• a steep driveway;
• stone gateposts;
• a shared courtyard;
• limited parking;
• a long carry from the vehicle to the house.

That is why we believe the final 100 metres should be planned as carefully as the previous 100 miles.

When those details are understood in advance, the removal team can arrive with the right vehicle, equipment, crew and plan.

It turns something that could have become a moving-day problem into something that has already been accounted for.

For an idea of how a professionally planned move progresses once the team arrives, see our guide to what to expect on moving day.

Quick Checklist Before Moving to a Cotswold Property

If you are approaching your moving date, run through these questions before the removal survey:

• Can a large removal vehicle reach both properties?
• Are there any road width, height or weight restrictions?
• Is there enough space for a large vehicle to turn?
• Is the driveway suitable for a loaded removal vehicle?
• Could parked cars prevent access on moving day?
• How far is the carry from the vehicle to the front door?
• Are there narrow gates, stone pillars or overhanging trees?
• Will your largest furniture fit through the entrances and stairways?
• Does anything need dismantling?
• Are there pianos, antiques or unusually heavy items?
• Do delicate floors or entrances require additional protection?
• Could a smaller shuttle vehicle be required?
• Will you require professional packing?
• Is there any chance you will need storage between properties?
• Has the removal company seen or properly assessed the access?

You do not necessarily need to know all the answers yourself. That is one of the reasons for arranging a professional survey.

Moving to Cirencester or the South-Eastern Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds covers a large area, and different towns and villages create different moving considerations.

Cirencester, for example, combines historic streets and older properties with modern housing around the town and numerous surrounding villages.

If that is where you are heading, our dedicated Cirencester removals page explains more about the service we provide in the town and surrounding Cotswold communities.

Moving Around Malmesbury and the Southern Cotswolds?

Malmesbury and its surrounding villages are also well within our regular working area from Swindon.

Older streets, rural properties and village access can all influence how a move is planned, particularly where parking or turning space is limited.

See our removals in Malmesbury page if your move is centred around this part of the Cotswolds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to the Cotswolds

Can large removal lorries access Cotswold villages?

Sometimes they can and sometimes a different arrangement is more practical. Access depends on the individual road, property entrance, turning space, parking and the vehicle required for the volume being moved. This is why access should be assessed before moving day rather than assumed from a map.

What happens if the removal lorry cannot reach my new home?

A restricted-access property does not necessarily prevent a professional move. Depending on the circumstances, a smaller shuttle vehicle may be used to transfer belongings between the property and the main removal vehicle. The best solution depends on the individual location and should be identified during the survey.

Do I need a removal survey before moving to the Cotswolds?

We strongly recommend one. A survey allows the removal company to assess your belongings as well as parking, road access, stairs, entrances, heavy items, vehicle requirements and the expected labour involved. It also allows a more accurate quotation to be prepared.

Can A. Luckes & Son pack my belongings as well as move them?

Yes. Packing can be included as part of your removal service, from assistance with fragile items through to a more comprehensive packing service. Furniture dismantling requirements can also be discussed during your survey.

Can you provide storage if my Cotswolds property is not ready?

Yes. A. Luckes & Son provides short and long-term storage from our Swindon facility. This can be useful where there is a gap between leaving your existing property and moving into your new home, or where renovation work needs to be completed before all of your belongings arrive.

How early should I contact a removal company?

It is sensible to start the conversation as soon as you have a realistic idea of your move. Even where your completion date has not been confirmed, carrying out the survey early gives you more time to understand the likely cost, access requirements and services you may need.

Do you carry out moves from elsewhere in the UK into the Cotswolds?

Yes. A. Luckes & Son handles local and nationwide removals, including households relocating into the Cotswolds from elsewhere in the UK as well as customers moving out of the area.

Planning a Move to the Cotswolds? Start With the Survey

A Cotswold home can be an exceptional place to live, but the characteristics that make these properties so appealing can also make the physical move more interesting.

The answer is not to worry about narrow lanes, period doorways or rural access. It is simply to identify them before moving day.

At A. Luckes & Son, we have been helping households move since 1996. As a family-run removals company based in Swindon, we are well positioned for moves throughout Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.

We provide house removals, professional packing, furniture dismantling where required and storage, with each move planned around the individual property rather than treated as a one-size-fits-all job.

If you are considering a move to Cirencester, Malmesbury, one of the Cotswold market towns or a more rural village, take a look at our dedicated Removals to the Cotswolds service.

Or, if you already have a move in mind, request a free removal quote and we can start by discussing your property, access and moving requirements.

About A. Luckes & Son

A. Luckes & Son (Removals & Storage) Ltd is an independent, family-run removal company based in Swindon. Established in 1996, the company carries out household and business removals throughout Swindon, Wiltshire, the Cotswolds and across the UK.

Our advice is based on the practical details we deal with when planning real household moves: vehicle access, parking, volume, property layout, difficult furniture, packing, storage and the logistics that need to be understood before moving day.

For more information about the people behind the business, visit our About A. Luckes & Son and meet the team page.

A. Luckes & Son (Removals & Storage) Ltd
Units 1–3 Marshgate Industrial Estate
Marshgate
Swindon
SN1 2PA

Telephone: 01793 431 431
Email: info@removals-swindon.co.uk