Rainbow Lakes

The name alone sells it - three separate lakes coloured by the minerals in the water, creating a proper visual surprise in the Gloucestershire countryside just outside Cirencester. You get a walk around the site rather than a quick tick-box visit, with the blue and turquoise hues especially striking on clear days when the light hits right.

It's a solid spot for families with younger kids and anyone after a gentle stroll without the huffing and puffing. The walk is flat and manageable, probably forty minutes to an hour if you're dawdling and taking photos - which you will be. Dog owners seem to rate it highly, and there's enough space that it never feels rammed even on decent weekends.

What works less well is if you're expecting some grand adventure or serious outdoor challenge. The lakes themselves are disused quarries rather than natural water, and the surrounding landscape is pleasant rather than jaw-dropping. Older teenagers might find an hour about right before restlessness kicks in.

Stay at Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park just 1.2 miles away and you've got easy access - no epic drive required. Cirencester itself is worth a wander for market charm and decent cafes if you need refueling before or after. No admission fees that we're aware of, and it works as part of a broader day exploring the Cotswolds rather than a standalone destination. Best visited when the sun's out and the water shows its colours properly.