Lake 23A

Lake 23A sits just outside Cirencester, a proper slice of the Cotswolds water landscape that most visitors miss entirely. It's a fishing lake, plain and simple - the sort of place where you'll spot anglers casting lines from the bank and water birds working the reeds if you time it right. The walk around it takes about half an hour at a leisurely pace, depending on how much of the perimeter you fancy covering.

This is absolutely a spot for walkers and keen photographers rather than families hoping for a beach day. There's something restorative about water this quiet - no jetskis, no crowds, just the sound of the breeze moving across the surface. Early morning visits pay off if you want to see wildlife properly. If you're basing yourself at Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park just down the road, it's genuinely worth a morning ramble, though be prepared for muddy ground in wet weather.

The lake sits within a wider area of Gloucestershire countryside, so it pairs well with exploring Cirencester itself - the town's got proper Roman history and decent high street cafes for lunch. If you're serious about water and countryside, Second Chance Touring Park and Cirencester Park Caravan Club are both close enough for a base camp. Allow time for a slow walk rather than treating it as a quick tick-off. The real appeal here is the peace rather than the postcard value.