The Edge, Nr Cirencester

Gloucestershire. Sleeps up to 8

This 4-bedroom lodge to the south of Cirencester adds a luxury spin to a break in the Cotswolds. Sitting beside one of the lakes of the a luxury gated development, The Edge is thoroughly modern and incorporates a picture-perfect outdoor terrace with seating and a hot tub.

The Edge is equally impressive inside, offering a lounge with Smart TV, gas fire, lots of seating and a dining area for up to eight guests. Doors open out onto the balcony with its charcoal barbecue. This room gets plenty of natural light with the huge, floor-to-ceiling windows which also provide a stunning lake view.

A spacious kitchen offers a built-in double oven, dishwasher, tall fridge freezer and much more besides, and leads through to the lounge and dining area. On the first floor, you have a family bathroom with bath and overhead shower, and another shower room is found on the ground floor, along with a double bedroom with direct access to the south-facing balcony and hot tub.

Upstairs, you have two twin bedrooms, one of them lakeside, as well as the master bedroom which has a built-in wardrobe, seating area with sofa and armchairs, a balcony and en suite bathroom. All of these together provide accommodation for eight, and if you are bringing a small child too, there’s a cot and high chair available if needed.

The exclusive development is a fine setting for The Edge, rich in nature and offering plenty in the way of facilities and activities. You will be able to enjoy a spa, clubhouse and restaurant, tennis and volleyball courts, or explore the lakes in a kayak or canoe if you choose to. There’s fun for the children, and a general store too, where you can get your essentials or grab a coffee to go. Cirencester is only around 10km away and, as the unofficial capital of the Cotswolds, isn’t short of history, culture or great dining options.

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.