Woodlark

Gather a group of ten for a Cotswolds stay with a difference in this striking five-bedroom lodge overlooking Howells Mere, where a private hot tub and wood burner make downtime particularly tempting. You needn’t venture far for a full day out, with Lower Mill Estate’s 550 acres offering water sports, wellness facilities and plenty of space to explore.

For countryside time beyond the estate, head to Westonbirt Arboretum (14 miles) for woodland walks, or make for Bibury (14.5 miles) and its postcard-pretty cottages. If you prefer a browse, Tetbury (12.5 miles) is packed with antiques and historic architecture, while Cirencester (6.5 miles) combines independent shops and restaurants with the Roman collections at the Corinium Museum.

After a busy day together, return to Howells Mere, pour a drink and sink into the hot tub as the light fades across the water. Enter this extraordinary group getaway to discover modern timber floors and stairs leading up to the heart of the home: the open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner is on the second floor of the property and makes the most of the glorious lakeside vistas from the sliding floor-to-ceiling doors.

Fulfilling your culinary needs is the well-presented kitchen with many high-quality appliances, including an impressive five-burner gas cooker and an electric oven with a separate grill. Once you’ve cooked up a storm, gather at the large dining table which comfortably seats eight.

When you want to recline, the entertainment corner beckons with its L-shaped sofa, bean bags, a warming wood burner, and a Smart TV with a Blu-ray DVD player. There’s even a Bose speaker for playing your party tunes.

The ground floor hosts two bedrooms: a double with a TV and an en-suite shower room, and a snug twin bedroom. Both these bedrooms have access to a shared over-water deck with furniture and have built-in wardrobes.