Coombe Hill Basin

The water at Coombe Hill Basin sits still and dark, reflecting the Worcestershire sky like polished glass. It's a proper working reservoir rather than a scenic attraction, but that's precisely why it's worth knowing about if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks around Cheltenham.

You won't find manicured walks or visitor facilities here. This is a functional landscape - the sort of place where dog walkers and local anglers know the score. The basin itself is relatively modest in scale, but there's something calming about reservoirs; the sense that you're looking at something genuinely purposeful rather than dressed up for tourists. The surrounding countryside opens up nicely, and if you're based at Millavon or Tewkesbury Abbey just a few miles away, it makes a decent leg-stretch detour.

Best suited to walkers after a quiet spot rather than families wanting activities. Kids will get restless quickly unless they're the type to watch ducks for twenty minutes. Go early morning or late afternoon when the light's better and the place feels more peaceful. There's no admission charge because there's nowhere to pay - you simply park up and explore the perimeter.

It works well as a break from the busier parks in the area. Croft Farm Water Park, just five miles on, offers proper family facilities if you need them. But if you want half an hour of genuine peace without the holiday park atmosphere, Coombe Hill Basin does the job.