David Beckham made his name through his passion for the pitch, but as he's grown older, the football icon has discovered a new love — the Cotswold countryside.
With his Instagram feed packed with photos of him beekeeping, growing fruit and veg, as well as taking his dogs for picturesque rural walks near his home in the Cotswolds, it's clear he adores nature and the great outdoors.
Now he's putting his talents towards celebrating the craftspeople of the Cotswolds as guest editor in October's Country Life magazine.
In a Country Life announcement, the rural lifestyle title said: 'This one-off edition will feature David Beckham’s favourite view and his best-loved recipe, as well as his rural champions and the craftsmen and women who have helped to shape his home in the Cotswolds, together with an insight into how the countryside has come to play an increasingly important role in his life.'
The guest editorship of the magazine marks David's 50th birthday year and he says he intends to produce an issue that celebrates everything the countryside means to him and his family.
Editor-in-chief Mark Hedges said: ‘As a global football icon, with a passion for the countryside, his dogs, chickens, bees and his garden — notably trees, roses and vegetables — I’m excited to see what his special commemorative issue will bring.’
The iconic footballer teamed up with King Charles III in June 2024 in a new role as ambassador for The King’s Foundation to help give young people greater access to nature.
During a trip to Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire, he said: 'Having developed a love for the countryside I’m also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation’s work.'
The Beckham family moved to a £12 million converted barn in the Cotswolds in 2016.
