At Somerford Keynes in Gloucestershire, this four-bedroom, bright and contemporary holiday home suits larger parties of eight, from two families travelling together to a group of friends, with a private lake in front and a nature reserve all around. Set in a quiet position within a holiday park, much of the sport and leisure on offer is included in the stay. Cirencester is 6 miles away, and the rolling Cotswolds start 4 miles from the door, while footpaths and cycle tracks lead straight off the site. Dogs are welcome too, and the glass-fronted deck gives a clear view of the birds crossing the water.
**Surrounding area**
- Cotswold Country Park is 1 mile away, where younger guests can take on the aquaventure course.
- The Cotswold Sculpture Park offers modern art across its grounds.
- Rodmarton Manor and its gardens are 8.5 miles away.
**Living space**
- The hall gives you somewhere to leave coats and boots, and there is a cupboard of board games to raid.
- Wooden flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows give the open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner plenty of daylight.
- Sliding doors open from the living area onto the decked area.
- Leather sofas face the TV, with the dining table close by for meals indoors.
- The kitchen has generous cabinet and work surface space, plus a central island with a breakfast bar.
- Cooking is done on an electric oven and gas hobs, with a fridge/freezer and dishwasher alongside.
- There is a washing machine and a WC on the ground floor.
**Bedrooms and bathrooms**
- All four bedrooms and the three bathrooms are on the first floor.
- Two doubles and two twin rooms make up the sleeping arrangements.
- The main double has an en-suite shower room with a WC, a TV, and doors onto a private balcony.
- The second double has an en-suite bathroom with a shower over the bath and a WC.
- Guests in the twin rooms have the family shower room, which also has a WC.
**Outdoor space and on-site facilities**
- Outdoor furniture on the enclosed decked area gives you somewhere to eat and read in the sun.
- Lawn wraps around the deck.
- A private path runs through the reeds down to the water, open between early March and late September.
- There is private parking for one car.
- The park has a restaurant and a shop, the latter 500 metres from the property.
- Water sports and fishing on the lakes are included, along with tennis courts, MUGA multi-games pitches, children's play areas, table tennis and boules.
- The Leisure and Wellness Club holds indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, a steam room and a sauna, with a second outdoor pool and sauna at Mill Village.
- Bike and equipment hire, guided walks, yoga, beauty treatments, soft play, cocktail making, laser clay shooting and archery at a neighbouring site can be booked at extra cost.
**Notable features and highlights**
- The property looks straight out over its private lake.
- Birds move across the reserve throughout the year and can be watched from the deck as you eat.
- Dogs are welcome.
Groups of eight after a lakeside base with plenty to fill the days will get the most from this house, whether that is two households sharing or a set of friends travelling together. Walkers and paddlers have activity from the doorstep, while anyone wanting a slower week can settle on the deck with a book and the birds for company.