Cherry Lake

The water at Cherry Lake sits perfectly still most mornings, reflecting the Gloucestershire sky like polished glass. It's a proper working reservoir just outside Cirencester, used for water supply, but that hasn't stopped it becoming a decent spot for a walk and a bit of peace and quiet.

You can lap the perimeter if you're in the mood for it - takes a good hour or so depending on your pace and how many times you stop to watch for waterfowl. The banks are accessible enough for families, though parts get muddy after rain, so proper footwear matters. Walkers will find it straightforward rather than challenging, which makes it ideal if you've got elderly relatives in tow or young legs that tire easily.

It's free to visit, and there's no faffing about with opening hours or admission fees. Go when you like. Early morning is genuinely the time to be here if you want to dodge other people and catch the light doing something interesting on the water.

Staying nearby at Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park puts you just a mile away, making this a natural add-on to a morning before you head into Cirencester town centre proper. It's not a destination in itself - you won't spend half a day here unless you're seriously into birdwatching - but as a gentle walk to clear your head during a park holiday, it delivers. Quiet, accessible, and free. Sometimes that's enough.