Lake 70

The water at Lake 70 sits calm and reflective, ringed by mature trees that give the whole place a surprisingly rural feel given how close it is to Cirencester. It's a proper working gravel pit that's been flooded and left to settle, creating one of those unexpected local spots that feels miles from anywhere even when civilisation's just down the road.

You can walk the perimeter - takes a good hour depending on your pace - and the banks are gentle enough that families with younger kids won't struggle. Birdwatchers come here regularly; you'll spot cormorants, grebes, and if you're lucky, herons fishing the shallows. The fishing is good too, though you'll need a permit and to check current rules before turning up.

There's something pleasantly low-key about it. No visitor centre, no gift shop, no staged photo opportunities. Just a lake, some trees, and enough peace to actually hear yourself think. Worth an hour or so when you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Hoburne Cotswold is barely a mile and a half away, which makes this an easy morning or late afternoon walk without needing to travel far. Park Farm Campsite, just four and a half miles out, also makes a good hub for exploring both the lake and Cirencester town itself.

Not the sort of place that'll keep you occupied all day, but exactly right if you want a straightforward walk, a bit of nature-watching, and the chance to see what the locals actually do out here rather than the touristy stuff.