Lake 22

Lake 22 sits on the outskirts of Cirencester, a proper working lake that doesn't get the foot traffic of bigger attractions nearby. It's a straightforward spot - a decent-sized body of water where you can walk the perimeter, watch the waterfowl, and actually hear yourself think. The lake itself is the draw here rather than any facilities or infrastructure, which means it suits people after a quiet stroll more than families looking for a full day out.

Walkers will appreciate the walk around it, though don't expect dramatic scenery or marked trails - this is more rural Gloucestershire practicality than scenic splendour. Birdwatchers do reasonably well here if you've got binoculars and patience. The whole circuit takes somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes depending on your pace and how often you stop. It's the sort of place you'd build into a longer walk rather than make a special journey for on its own.

Staying at Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park just down the road makes Lake 22 a natural add-on to your morning, especially if weather's decent. If you're basing yourself further out at one of the Cirencester caravan sites, it's worth knowing about but probably not a reason alone to venture there. Cirencester itself has better attractions if you're after something with more going on - the Roman ruins and town centre are proper worth exploring. Lake 22 works best as a leg-stretcher between other things.