Thistle Park Exercise Equipment and Playing Field

The exercise equipment at Thistle Park catches you off guard the moment you spot it - bright yellow frames scattered across open grassland just outside Cirencester, looking more like an outdoor gym than anything you'd find in a nature reserve. It's a working playing field with added fitness stations, which means you get both fresh air and a proper workout if you're that way inclined.

There's space to kick a football about, room to stretch your legs, and the equipment itself ranges from leg presses to pull-up bars - all free to use and surprisingly well-maintained. The whole setup appeals most to families wanting a break from the car or locals combining a walk with some exercise. You won't spend hours here, realistically - more like thirty minutes to an hour if you're actually using the kit, longer if you're just having a mooch about.

It works well as a stop-off on a park holiday if you're staying at Mayfield Park down the road. That said, it's not a destination in itself. The appeal hinges on whether you genuinely want to do pull-ups in the Cotswolds or just want the kids to burn off some energy on decent grass. On a decent day it's a pleasant spot to pause, but go expecting pastoral charm and you'll be disappointed - this is functional rather than particularly scenic. Worth knowing about if you're exploring the Cirencester area, but don't detour specially.