Howell's Mere Lake sits just beyond the windows of this impressive four-bedroom lodge on the Lower Mill Estate, where hundreds of acres of green space, lakes and rivers make up the Cotswolds setting. Sleeping eight in three king-size bedrooms and a double, it suits two families sharing or a group of friends who want room to spread out over three floors. The open-plan living space is lifted to the first floor so the views carry across the water, and the bedrooms sit at lake level below. Guests have the run of the estate's Leisure and Wellness Club and the lakes beyond it. The water is busy with wildlife, and much of the estate is given over to nature reserve.
**Surrounding area**
- Cotswold Country Park and Beach is 1 mile away, home to the UK's largest inland beach, an AquaVenture water course and pedalo boats.
- Cirencester, the historic market town known as the Capital of the Cotswolds, is 6 miles away.
- Walking and cycling trails wind through the estate's nature reserve, including mountain bike routes.
**Living space**
- The whole first floor is given over to an open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows bring a good deal of natural light into the room.
- The lounge has deep sofas and a TV with Netflix and Apple TV.
- The kitchen is fitted with a double oven, hob, fridge/freezer, microwave and Nespresso coffee machine.
- A dining table sits at the far end of the open-plan space, with patio doors alongside it.
**Bedrooms and bathrooms**
- Three of the four bedrooms are on the ground floor, two king-size and one double.
- The first king-size room and the double share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC.
- The second ground floor king-size bedroom is served by a family shower room with WC.
- The top floor holds the third king-size bedroom, which has an en-suite shower room with WC.
**Outdoor space and on-site facilities**
- A decked area runs along the ground floor, furnished with garden furniture and a charcoal BBQ (charcoal is not provided).
- Two of the ground floor bedrooms open straight onto the decking.
- Two balconies lead off the first-floor living space, one at the front and one at the back.
- Private parking is provided for one car, and the main estate car park takes any additional vehicles.
- There is a shop on the estate, along with a pub and a restaurant.
- Tennis courts, MUGA multi-games pitches and children's play areas are open to guests, with table tennis and boules alongside them.
- The Mill Village outdoor pool and sauna are also included in a stay.
- The lodge is arranged over three floors, with stairs between each level.
- The mezzanine balcony is kept locked by the homeowners and is not in use by guests.
**Notable features and highlights**
- The layout is arranged to keep Howell's Mere Lake in view from each floor.
- Use of the Leisure and Wellness Club is included, with indoor and outdoor pools plus a gym, steam room and sauna.
- Water sports and fishing on the estate lakes come as part of the stay.
- Bike hire and guided walks can be arranged on the estate for an additional charge.
Groups of up to eight will find this a settled base for a week in the Cotswolds, with days shaped around the water or spent much closer to the sofa. The spread of rooms across separate floors gives couples travelling together a little distance from one another, and younger guests have plenty to keep them busy without leaving the estate.