Sparrow House, Somerford Keynes

Gloucestershire. Sleeps up to 8

Sparrow House holds a wonderful location, set within an exclusive, gated development, just south of the popular town of Cirencester in Gloucestershire. The contemporary, lakefront home makes a luxurious holiday home for those who wish to explore this beautiful region of the country. The fantastic facilities on offer, which include an on-site spa with swimming pool, tennis court, children’s playground and restaurant, make it an excellent choice for families.

The modern property features a quirky, upside-down layout which allows guests to enjoy the gorgeous surroundings and views from the open-plan living areas.

Sparrow House can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests across the four well-appointed bedrooms. On the ground floor  are the first three of the bedrooms, a double room with en-suite shower room, a twin room as well as a bunk bed room, perfect for younger guests! These bedrooms share the use of a family bathroom also on this level. Upstairs, on the first floor is the bright open-plan living and dining area with its large windows and access to the balcony overlooking the lake. Also, on this floor is the modern fitted kitchen which boasts all the amenities a budding chef could possibly need as well as a TV room, perfect for keeping the children occupied on rainy days! On the second floor is the king-size master suite, guests are bound to argue over this room with its luxurious en-suite bathroom and lake views.

Outside, the balcony comes with dining facilities and barbecue, making it the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner or to dine al fresco while admiring the lake views at sunset.

On the region’s southern fringes, Cirencester is one of the major centres of the Cotswolds, and offers much more than just sightseeing. It’s certainly a town with a history – at one time the second-largest in Britain – but it hasn’t become a tourist hub in the manner of many of England’s heritage cities, meaning it’s even more of a joy for those who do come exploring.

You can get an insight into the history of Cirencester at its Corinium Museum, this being the Roman name for the town. Mosaics and artefacts bring the story vividly to life, and children can get involved too with special activities. Those who love art, nature or both will find something to please them at Cirencester’s Elemental Sculpture Park, where more than 150 pieces are dotted around the woodlands.

You wouldn’t expect to find many beaches in Gloucestershire, but there is one at the Cotswold Country Park at Shorncote to the south of Cirencester, a place made for family fun with a water park and children’s playground. For a bit of culture, the town’s Sundial Theatre offers a varied programme of events, and those with an eye for a bargain can explore the antiques and collectibles on offer at the Corn Hall indoor market on Fridays.

The town’s excellent dining scene certainly shouldn’t be overlooked – you will have no trouble tracking down anything from an artisan coffee to a Michelin Star three-course meal. Among the highest-rated places in town are Tierra & Mar, a great spot for tapas, and The Falcon at Poulton, where the food is restaurant quality and the setting is a delightful country pub.

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