Reid Villa

It’s amazing what an old quarry can be transformed into! Lower Mill Estate, in the Cotswolds, is now a beautiful nature reserve comprising eight lakes, two rivers, miles of walking trails and wonderful wildlife to spot, including otters and beavers! Families can completely immerse themselves in this natural haven, staying right on the lakeshore, in architecturally award-winning holiday homes which have uber-cool, minimalist interiors.

There’s no better way to relax and recharge batteries than simply gazing out across the lake from the balcony or patio deck, but there’s also plenty to do on the nature reserve to keep boredom at bay. The on-site Spa has two heated pools, a lily-filtered eco-pool, sauna, steam room, and gym plus mums can be properly pampered with hot stone massages, facials, manicures, and more. At the ‘Activity Hub’, kids and big kids can have a go at kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding or pick up bikes to follow the trails around the reserve. Little ones will especially love the Miss Mouse Adventure Trail, finding a host of cute characters all around the nature reserve from a specially created story – Miss Mouse Builds A House. The General Store has all the essentials for self-catering and a selection of local artisan products but when no one can be bothered to cook, there’s the Ballihoo Clubhouse and Restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and take-aways. Throughout the Summer, all kinds of special events and activities take place at the Activity Hub and Ballihoo Clubhouse, from raft building and dusk wildlife walks to pizza making and a Jamaican Jerk BBQ.

Accommodation overview; Reid Villa

Reid Villa is a four-bedroom contemporary lake lodge for seven with additional access to an exclusive outdoor heated swimming pool which has shared access between nine properties on the estate on a tranquil, gated area of the estate. The house is accessed via a small footbridge and it enjoys an open-plan lawned area to the rear, plus a large second garden area again accessed via a shared footbridge adjoining Somerford lagoon.

Inside the house has four bedrooms, three of which are spacious double rooms and one of which is a single bedroom, perfect for children. The master suite has an en-suite and there is an additional family bathroom with a bath and shower over. The living area is large and luxurious, offering a lounge area with a wood burner, two sofas, armchairs, and a wall-mounted TV, a modern, well-equipped kitchen and dining area which overlooks Somerford Lagoon.

Please note: Somerford Lagoon lake is closed from October – March due to nesting birds.