Hoopoe Cottage is set in the beautiful grounds of Lower Mill Estate, part of the Cotswolds Water Park near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

The Estate consists of 450 acres of private meadows and woodland containing seven lakes and a nature reserve. There are miles of wonderful walks on the doorstep, including part of The Thames Path, and an abundance of wildlife to observe. It is a paradise, not just for birdwatchers and fishermen, but for everyone who enjoys being close to unspoiled nature. A stay at Hoopoe Cottage also includes unlimited access to the Artspa, an award-winning on-site spa with indoor and outdoor heated pools, plus an eco swimming pond, a gym, sauna, steam room and a state-of-the-art spa with a wide range of beauty therapies on offer.

The house has four bedrooms and can sleep eight adults comfortably, plus a further two younger guests can be accommodated in a cot or camp bed. Two of the double rooms have en-suite bathrooms and there is a separate family bathroom and a downstairs cloakroom. The ground floor is light and spacious with the kitchen, dining and living areas all having stunning views of the lake through the floor to ceiling windows. The large lakeside deck is great for barbeques, drinks or just relaxing in the sunshine.

It is a perfect house for two families holidaying together or for an extended family group. There is plenty of space for everyone to share as well as separate spaces when you wish to be more private.

If you have not visited the area before, the Water Park will amaze you. Over forty square miles in size and containing more than a hundred lakes, it’s the perfect place for a huge variety of water and land-based pursuits. The outstanding countryside offers hiking, cycling and horseriding and the lakes themselves (former quarries which have naturally regenerated) are home to activities like sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, and jet-skiing. The country parks, lakeside beaches and cosy pubs of the area offer a more leisurely pace, so you can have as much peace or excitement as you want. The Cotswold Water Park has something for everyone.

There is an excellent family-friendly pub and restaurant within walking distance and the ancient and beautiful town of Cirencester, with extensive shopping and dining options as well as Roman remains, is only a few miles away. The rest of the Cotswolds is on the doorstep - stately homes, safari parks, fantastic walking, farm shops, rural pursuits and chocolate-box pretty villages, all within an easy drive.

You will be spoilt for choice when planning your holiday. The abundance of local activities, coupled with Lower Mill’s heated pools and the cosy fireplace, make Hoopoe Cottage the perfect destination for year-round breaks.