Spring Lake

The water at Spring Lake is startlingly clear - you notice it the moment you arrive, which immediately explains why people bother making the trip out from Cirencester. It's a proper swimming spot, spring-fed and managed as a bathing lake, which means you're looking at genuinely cold, fresh water rather than the murky stuff you'd expect from a Gloucestershire quarry.

This works well for families who want to let kids splash about without the paddling pool crowds, and for serious swimmers it's a legitimate training ground. Summer's obviously peak season; winter visits feel eerie and pointless unless you're one of those cold-water fanatics. You'll want a good two hours minimum if you're actually getting in, though a quick visit just to gawp and photograph the thing takes twenty minutes.

The lake sits close enough to Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park - just a short drive - to make it a genuine afternoon outing if you're staying put for a week. Cirencester itself is four miles away, so you're never far from proper amenities, shops or a decent pub if the weather turns. There's a car park and basic facilities, though it's worth checking ahead for seasonal opening and any current entry fees, as access has changed hands a few times. On a hot day it fills up quickly, so arrive early if you're taking a clan.