_David Beckham discusses his search for rustic bliss and choosing the perfect English country retreat

We are standing on a mezzanine in a hall in London’s Covent Garden, overlooking a specially built gymnasium. This is not some private members’ club, but a stage set built for a presentation during London Fashion Week Men’s.

David Beckham, looking every inch the contemporary man-about-town, is channelling the extremely on-trend ‘athleisure’ look: khaki cotton trousers, white T-shirt and green cotton cardigan sporting a patch with three lions and the letters KC.

This is the Kent & Curwen presentation for its Spring/ Summer 2018 collection, and Beckham is not here as a guest, or as a gun-for-hire celebrity model.

Instead, he is attending in his capacity as a business partner for this historic British Savile Row brand (established in 1926 by Eric Kent and Dorothy  Curwen).

Meet David Beckham the businessman. We may have gotten used to the idea that the former Manchester United star and England football team captain has made a smooth transition into a post - sporting life as an advertising model (for diverse brands including Police sunglasses, Belstaff, Breitling and, most recently, Tudor watches).

Creative Director Daniel Kearns and David Beckham at the Kent & Curwen SS18 LFWM

But what most people do not yet realise is that Beckham’s master plan is to become a successful entrepreneur in his own right – moving from being the face in front of the camera, to the power behind it.

Indeed, this journey is already well underway. Over the past few years, as well as promoting other people’s brands, Beckham has taken a stake in many of the projects attached to his name: witness Haig Club whisky; an underwear range for H&M; a collection of hugely successful fragrances; and the big one, a plan to develop a new professional football club in Miami, along with a stadium to match.

And then there is Kent & Curwen, where today the former sportsman is explaining the inspiration for the collection. ‘Every guy can remember being part of a team in some way,’ he says. ‘Whether it was at school or later. I know what that’s like; it’s been a big part of my life.’

Looking at the male models grouped together as if for a class photo in the gym, you see exactly what he means. The clothes– a combination of casualwear and tailoring – have a blend of relaxed smartness that is somehow very British sporting club.

It is reminiscent of historical trendsetters like the Duke of Windsor – all blazers, white trousers, striped rugby shirts and cricket sweaters – and of Henley and Chariots of Fire. But brought up to date – there is a modern edge to these knits, shirts, jackets and coats, as well as an old-school charm.

Victoria and David Beckham attend the Kent & Curwen SS18 LFWM Presentation

In many ways, Kent & Curwen is a perfect fit for Beckham – in its blend of tradition and modernity, and its gently romantic English spirit, it reflects the man’s personal taste.

This becomes apparent as conversation turns to other, more personal projects. Beckham’s latest is a country retreat, easy for him and his family to get to, which provides respite from the hustle and bustle of London.

The Beckhams have realised that though they have lived all over the world, including Milan, Madrid and Paris, and owned properties in the south of France and Los Angeles, what they want now is some stability.

While London is home, the elusive part of the property jigsaw has been the weekend place, somewhere for the family  to escape from frenetic daily life.

‘I do like the idea of somewhere that is really typically English and rural. Where I can walk the dog and have time and space to relax,’ he says.

David has country life close at heart, and for this reason the property has been primarily his project, after the family recently renovated and furnished their London home.

‘My taste for interiors has evolved over time,’ he explains. ‘Now I like things that feel authentic. I love stone buildings and exposed raw materials. Wonderful aged rustic wooden floors, flagstones, exposed timbers and open fireplaces – in fact nature is really important to me.

It’s almost a sense of bringing the countryside into the home and space.’ Old fashioned pubs with sawdust on the floor, that sort of thing? ‘If you like, yes – more so than anything too glossy.’

Have the family found their perfect spot in the countryside yet? ‘Actually, I think so. It’s a period property, and I’m having it restored and renovated at the moment.

When it’s done, it will have lots of space inside – cosy in the winter with open fires and inglenooks, and then open windows, fresh air, light and a rustic garden for the summer. The idea is that it is all built around a large central space where the family can hang out together.’

Speaking to Beckham, it doesn’t take long to establish that the most important thing for him is this idea of family life and values. Whenever he talks about his wife and children he becomes more animated and engaged.

His vision of a family country home with exposed beams and open fires is, he admits, an attempt to create a place where his children will not want to spend all their time on screens, but instead engage with their surroundings.

He’s proud of the way he and Victoria are bringing up the kids – he doesn’t say this in a boastful way,  but beams, as he explains how happy they are at school parents’ evenings when they are told their children are polite and hard-working.

He may be forging a successful new career as an entrepreneur and he may have become a poster boy for modern masculinity, but Beckham seems at heart to be something of an old-fashioned gent.

If like David you're interested in owning a slice of English country life, our specialist team is on hand to help you find the perfect rural idyll.