Mill Lake

A proper lake right on Cirencester's doorstep, Mill Lake is the sort of place you stumble upon and wonder why you haven't been before. The water's calm, usually mirror-like, and surrounded by enough green space to make you forget you're minutes from town. It's a working gravel pit that's been transformed into a surprisingly pleasant spot - reedy edges, a few trees dotted about, decent paths for a wander.

Families with young kids will get an hour or so out of it; walkers heading to Cirencester Park can easily loop this in as a warm-up. Bird watchers actually rate it. The lake itself isn't massive, but that's rather the point - you can walk the perimeter without it becoming a slog. There's a bench or two if you fancy sitting and watching the water, which on a quiet morning beats sitting in the town centre.

No café, no facilities to speak of, and I couldn't find definitive info on car parking or access details - worth ringing Cirencester council or checking locally before you go. It's free, obviously. Best visited early morning or late afternoon when it's properly peaceful. If you're staying at Hoburne Cotswold just up the road, or Park Farm a bit further out, it's well worth the short drive for a circuit before breakfast or after supper. Don't expect drama - it's understated, which is exactly why it works.