David Beckham may be known worldwide for his football career and global business ventures, but the former soccer star has also embraced a quieter, more rural side of life at his £6 million Cotswolds farmhouse. On Friday, Beckham once again donned his farmer hat to tend to his beloved flock of chickens, a gift from his wife, Victoria Beckham, which has become a surprising source of pride for the sporting icon.
The 49-year-old ex-footballer shared a glimpse of his pastoral lifestyle with his 88.5 million Instagram followers, posting snaps of his chickens, and even affectionately referring to one of them as “handsome.” Dressed for the countryside in a pale blue shirt, brown trousers, and a tartan flat cap, Beckham committed fully to his role as a modern-day gentleman farmer.
The chickens, which were a Christmas gift from Victoria, have since found a home on the sprawling Cotswolds estate, where Beckham has set up a hen pen. In March, he excitedly shared with his followers the moment he collected his first blue egg after making several adjustments to encourage his hens to lay. Beckham’s passion for the birds has only grown since, with his regular updates making the chickens unexpected stars on his social media.
But chickens aren’t the only creatures under Beckham’s care. The father-of-four has also taken up beekeeping, a hobby he picked up during the pandemic lockdown. Beckham regularly checks on his bees at the estate and often shares insights into his beekeeping adventures. On Saturday, he posted a snap of his hives, humorously captioning it, “Checking in on the sticky stuff,” referring to the honey produced by his bees.
The move towards a more tranquil lifestyle at his Cotswolds estate reflects Beckham’s desire to balance his high-profile career with personal projects and family life. Since retiring from football more than a decade ago, Beckham has increasingly shared snippets of his rural life with his family, which centers around their converted barn in the Cotswolds. The estate has become a hub for his hobbies and new ventures, providing the perfect backdrop for his life outside of the spotlight.
While Beckham may be enjoying his pastoral pursuits, his weekends in the countryside come after busy weeks in the public eye. He recently attended Paris Fashion Week to support Victoria’s latest collection and celebrated his son Brooklyn’s latest culinary venture, the launch of his hot sauce brand Cloud23, alongside the rest of the Beckham family. The launch event was a family affair, with David proudly supporting Brooklyn, while Victoria, Romeo, and Brooklyn’s wife, Nicola Peltz, were also in attendance.
With his Cotswolds chickens and bees thriving, and his family continuing to make strides in their respective fields, Beckham seems to be enjoying the best of both worlds—balancing his serene countryside life with his ongoing global ventures. And as his Instagram updates suggest, tending to his birds and bees is just the relaxing break he needs in between his whirlwind public appearances.
