Middle Pond

Middle Pond sits quietly in the Gloucestershire countryside near Stroud, a modest water body that's genuinely worth a wander if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks. It's not a dramatic reservoir or a famous beauty spot - just a proper little lake surrounded by trees and bank-side paths that feel properly rural.

You can walk the perimeter without breaking a sweat, making it ideal for families with younger kids or anyone after a gentle afternoon leg-stretch. The water attracts birds and the occasional angler, so there's always something quietly happening. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing.

The real value here is location. If you're staying at Apple Tree Park, The Riverside Caravan Park, or Tudor Caravan Park - all within a few miles - this gives you a free afternoon activity that doesn't require driving off-site. It's the kind of place you'll revisit after lunch rather than plan a day trip around. Walkers heading between Stroud and the wider Cotswold area sometimes use it as a waypoint, which tells you it's reliable enough to slot into a proper route.

Timing-wise, early morning or late afternoon tends to be best when it's quieter. There's no admission cost that we can find, and you won't need more than an hour unless you're seriously committed to spotting every waterfowl. Bit of a sleeping dog compared to the flashier spots, but that's rather the point.