Thistledown

This state-of-the-art lakeside lodge is made for eight people, with a private hot tub, a crackling wood burner and ample space to watch the sunset over Howells Mere lake. There’s plenty to keep everyone occupied without leaving the 550-acre estate, from bookable water sports to diverse leisure facilities.

When you fancy exploring, Cirencester is 6.5 miles away and a brilliant option for independent shopping, dining, and visiting the Roman mosaics at the Corinium Museum. The quintessentially British villages of Bourton-on-the-Water (23 miles), Castle Combe (21 miles) and Bibury (14.5 miles) make for a lovely afternoon of cream teas and a nosey, while the town of Tetbury (12.5 miles) is great for 17th-century architecture and antique shopping.

Keen walkers and furry friends will love the woodland trails and treetop walkway of Westonbirt Arboretum (14 miles). Enter through the spacious hallway of this impressive contemporary holiday home, where clean architectural lines and light wood-effect flooring set a calming tone from the beginning of your stay.

Three of the bedrooms are tucked away on this level, creating a relaxing place to retreat at the end of the day, while upstairs, the house opens dramatically into an A-frame, glass-roofed open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner – a bright and beautifully designed space that makes the most of the building’s striking proportions. Whip up a group feast using the top-quality appliances in the galley kitchen, before gathering at the eight-person dining table for long-lasting meals.

Unwind in the expansive lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows and doors frame the views and flood the space with natural light. As evening draws in, settle into the deep sofas beside the wood burner for a cosy night in front of the TV.

Back on the ground floor, you’ll discover the bathroom with a bath, shower and WC, as well as a charming twin bedroom, a cosy double and an impressive king-size bedroom with an en-suite shower room and sliding glass doors leading to an over-water deck. The final bedroom is on the second floor, with an open-plan mezzanine-level double bed, an ample dressing area and additional floor-to-ceiling windows offering pretty views across Howells Mere.