Hoopoe Cottage and Lower Mill Estate offers a wide variety of activities, including swimming, boating, tennis, lovely walks, a children’s playground and trampoline, a football pitch and acres of open space, not to mention the pampering opportunities at the Artspa. When you want to venture further afield, there are a host of exciting activities, fun outings and great places to eat only a short drive from the Estate. Below are just a few options, with links and contact information to help you plan your holiday:

The spa is the piece de resistance of the estate. It's an avant garde interpretation of a group of farm buildings fused together and filled with natural light through its glass roof, walls and ends. There are three swimming pools, two of them heated (one indoors, one outdoors) along with the UK's first commercial eco pool which has the appearance of a natural lake, has water of swimming quality, purified entirely from plant life and no chemicals.

There is a library, full of very comfy seating, a small lounge area where soft drinks are available at a small cost. There are also a number of small treatment rooms where it is possible to book treatments from massage to facials.

The gym has a range of excellent equipment. Outside by the eco pool are hammocks to lie out and enjoy some peace and quiet in the tranquility of the gardens

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Keynes Country Park
Shornecote
Gloucs., GL76DF

01285 868 096
www.keynescountrypark.com

Located minutes from Lower Mill Estate, Keynes Country Park is open all year round and offers a wide variety of fun for family days out.  It has two large lakes, one of which boasts Britain’s largest inland beach, a secure toddlers paddling beach and play area, an aerial adventure centre, and stunning views along lakeside walks.  You can hire barbeque areas, bring a picnic or relax in the cafe.  There is also a brand new fossil trail for children to follow.  

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Head for Heights
Keynes Country Park
Gloucestershire, GL7 6DF
01285 770007
http://www.head4heights.net/

Set in the grounds of Keynes Country Park, Head 4 Heights is one of the tallest climbing centres in Britain and is open to the public year-round.  You can test yourself on the Single Totem-Pole Challenge, simulate jumping out of an aeroplane with Free Fall, or take the Leap of Faith, the ultimate test of courage.

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Cycling is a great way to explore the Water Park, with many safe cycle routes on the doorstep. You can either bring your own bicycles or hire them from Go By Cycle (www.go-by-cycle.co.uk), a friendly local firm who also rent out bike trailers for children and rowing boats.

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Staying at Hoopoe Cottage allows you to fish in several of the Lower Mill Estate lakes, subject to rules and seasonal limitations. Fly and coarse fishing are also available year round at the nearby Watermark Fisheries (www.watermarkfisheries.co.uk) who offer some of the finest carp, pike, perch and tench fishing around.

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There is a wide range of bird life on the lakes as they are on the migratory path of many different species and there are several bird hides at Lower Mill Estate where you can watch them to your hearts content. Other animals you may see are foxes, bats, otters and even beavers. A family of European Beavers was introduced into Flagham Fen in 2005 and they are thriving. A webcam has been put into their holt and if you are lucky you may have the thrill of seeing them swim in the lake at dusk.

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South Cerney Sailing Club
Station Road
South Cerney
Glos., GL7 5TL
www.southcerneysailingclub.co.uk
Offers sailing courses and racing for beginners and experts alike.

Watermark Active
www.wmactive.com
Offers a huge variety of water activities including waterskiing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and jet skiing.

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Talland Stables
Ampney Knowle
Nr. Cirencester
http://talland.net/h/Home

A brilliant local stables offering riding lessons and courses with top class instructors for both children and adults.
Pony trekking can be arranged through Watermark Active (see above)

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Certainly one of the most beautiful and deservedly one of the most loved areas of Britain, the Cotswolds offer a wonderful choice of places to visit, from stately homes to quintessentially English villages, delightful farm shops to open-air opera, safari parks to grand cathedrals.

Wild in the Cotswolds www.wildinthecotswolds.co.uk
Lower Mill Estate’s own guide to outings and activities in the local area.

The Cotswolds www.the-cotswolds.org.uk
The official Cotswold website with guides and listings for hundreds of attractions and events.

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The Bakers Arms
Somerford Keynes
Gloucs., GL7 6DN
01285 861 298
http://www.thecompletechef.co.uk/html/bakers_arms.html

A fantastic local pub offering excellent food and a large garden.  It’s a fifteen minute walk from Hoopoe Cottage in the pretty Cotswold village of Somerford Keynes.

The Wild Duck Inn
Ewen
Gloucestershire, GL7
01285 770310
www.thewildduckinn.co.uk

A beautiful 16th Century inn with a bar and restaurant open to non-residents.  Open year-round with an ever-changing menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients.  In the summer you can eat out in the stunning garden.

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