Muntjac Lodge
Muntjac Lodge is a beautiful five-bed detached home with a views over the water, close to the beautiful and well-established Howells Mere Lake at the Cotswold Water Park. With a spacious open plan living area leading out onto a balcony with elevated lake views, the house is a fantastic location for gatherings of families and friends. Muntjac Lodge is a perfect base from which to explore all that the lakes have to offer, including watersports, tennis, cycling and walking in the 550 acre nature reserve. With free access to the spa included, you can make use of the on-site wellness facilities, treat yourself to a massage or enjoy a swim with the family.
Overview
With the sweeping wetlands of the Lower Mill Estate as its cinematic backdrop, Muntjac Lodge is a light, airy and expansive bolthole apt for escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life. Apart from its serene location, this unique hideaway is generously equipped with five bedrooms just perfect for accommodating friends and family. So whether you're celebrating a birthday, meeting up with friends after a while part, or gathering the extended family, Muntjac Lodge is your paradise.
Set over three floors, you're welcomed by three charming bedrooms on the ground floor, before glass sliding doors lead on to a breathtaking terrace offering scenic views of Howells Mere lake. Climb to the first floor and you'll uncover a glorious open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area ideal for connecting with friends and family. On the second floor, a further bedroom with a sumptuous king-size bed and large window looking down onto the living space makes for a peaceful oasis after a day sampling the countless activities on offer at the Cotswold Water Park.
Once you’ve soaked up the addictive ambience of this waterside home, step onto the terrace to gaze at undulating views of the wetlands before slinking up to the first floor balcony to tune in to the majestic sounds of the natural surroundings while you clink a glass of prosecco or play a game of cards.
Ground floor
Bedroom Five:Drenched in welcoming light and offering generous storage thanks to a sliding wardrobe, bedroom five has two single beds ideal for accommodating friends and family.
Bathroom:
All the essentials can be found in the ground floor bathroom including a WC, hand basin and shower that sits over the bath.
Bedroom Two:
Waterside elegance is yours for the taking when it comes to bedroom two. With its sumptuous double bed and built-in wardrobe, there's access to the sun-drenched terrace through sliding doors where you can sip that morning coffee or try a morning meditation.
En-suite:
Whether you've been trying your hand at kayaking, paddle boarding or windsurfing, bedroom two's en-suite is the perfect place to freshen up after a day on the water thanks to a shower, WC and hand basin.
Bedroom Three:
In bedroom three, you're greeted by a plush double bed, scenic artwork and access to the spectacular ground floor terrace, apt for species spotting as the wild residents of the water park skim across the water.
First floor
Open-Plan Kitchen/Dining/Sitting Area:
Drenched in glorious light thanks to spectacular floor to ceiling windows, Muntjac's impressive kitchen/dining/sitting area is an ambient place to gather, whether you choose to snuggle on the sofa with a good book and a glass of wine, make dinner from fresh local produce in the kitchen, or perch on one of the bar stools to chat with family. We love the crackling wood burner - apt for warming up after a day on the water.
Cloakroom:
There's a handy WC and hand basin housed in the first floor cloakroom perfect for freshening up before dinner.
Bedroom Four:
Bedroom four is a cosy snug for getting an excellent's night kip. With a small double bed, chest of drawers and window, it's a charming nook for any member of your party.
Second floor
Bedroom One: Without doubt the pinnacle of this waterside home, bedroom one is an expansive oasis to enjoy throughout your stay. Featuring a plush king-size bed, two bedside tables and a comfortable sofa for evening reading, it's completed by a large window with a view of the open-plan living area.
Bathroom Two:
Light and airy, the second floor bathroom features a bath, shower, WC and hand basin apt for refreshing after a day on the park.
Dressing Room:
With plentiful space for all your belongings - whether swimsuits, jackets or flip flops - the second floor's expansive dressing room makes storage a breeze.
Outside
As the sun rises above the flowing waterscapes of this scenic spot, wander outside with your morning tea to enjoy the soothing sound of wildlife that circles round the terrace. Later on, when little tummies begin to rumble, cook up fresh local produce on the BBQ and take a seat on one of the two first floor balconies to truly take advantage of Muntjac's unforgettable views.Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - King-size
Bedroom Two - Double
Bedroom Three - Double
Bedroom Four - Small Double
Bedroom Five - Twin
3 Bathrooms - Two Bathrooms, Both With A WC, Hand Basin And Shower Over The Bath, One En-suite With A WC, Hand Basin And Shower
Hairdryer - 1
Fire - Two Firelogs Are Provided Between 01 October And 31 March, And Real Logs For The Wood Burner Are Available From The On-site Shop By The Balihoo Restaurant. A Bag Of Charcoal Is Provided In Summer.
Oven
Hob
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Coffee Machine
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 10
Washing Machine
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 60 Mbps
TV - Smart
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided) - 1
Highchair - 1
Stair Gates - 1
Outdoor
Dog Friendly - 2 Well-behaved Dogs Welcome For An Additional Fee
Garden - Terrace And Two Balconies, One With A Spiral Staircase, Children Must Be Supervised
Outdoor Dining Area
BBQ - Charcoal, With An Initial Supply Provided.
On-site Facilities
Swimming Pool - Shared Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool (open February To December)
Complimentary On-site Spa Access *pre-booking Required - Outdoor And Indoor Swimming Pool, Gym, Steam Room, Sauna, And Treatments Available (2 Passes Included)
Sauna - Shared
Tennis Court - Shared
Parking - Designated Parking For 1 Car And Additional Overflow Parking For Up To 3 Cars On Site.
EV Charger - Shared, On-site
On your Doorstep
- Outdoor heated swimming pool with changing rooms and sauna – open year round
- Tennis courts – booking required, equipment hire available
- Adventure play – use of outdoor play areas, booking required and additional fees apply for use of indoor play area
- Equipment hire – hire equipment for the day or week for watersports and cycling
- Fishing – available year round with a valid rod license
- Yoga – studio classes and private sessions available, booking required, additional fees apply
Nearby Cirencester (6 miles) is a fantastic shopping destination with a diverse range of independent and boutique shops. There are also a selection of well-known high street brands including Joules and Waterstones. Regular farmers’ markets are held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month and a charter market on Mondays and Fridays. You will find a deli in the Corn Hall Arcade.
If you are looking for designer brands, Swindon McArthurGlen outlet (15 miles) is worth a visit for a bargain.
Eating Out:
- Ballihoo Club – the restaurant and clubhouse serve locally sourced food and drink for the whole family (booking recommended, on-site)
- The Baker's Arms, Somerford Keynes - quiz nights, live music, delicious food and a beautiful setting this pub is perfect for a quick pint after a walk or a Sunday lunch (16-min walk)
- The Old Boat House, South Cerney – picturesque lakeside dining (4 miles)
- The Red Lion, Cricklade – award-winning restaurant just off the Thames path (8.5 miles)
Walks:
Cotswold Water Park is a fantastic location for walking. Leisure maps are available both online and from the main visitor centre. A selection of circular walks vary from 2km to 18km and are a great way to see this stunning area and the wildlife that lives here. Visit waterpark.org/things-to-do/walking for more details.
Places to Visit:
- Cotswold Country Park and Beach, Cirencester – fire a BBQ, relax on the beach, bounce into the inflatable obstacle course or a hire a boat (1 mile)
- Cirencester – ancient Roman market town regarded as the capital of the Cotswolds (6 miles)
- Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens – fantastic array of species and walkthroughs so you can see the animals up close (20 miles)
Travel:
Train – Kemble railway station (3 miles) has a frequent and direct service to London.
Taxis - Hill South Cerney Cabs, First Taxi
There is so much to discover in the Cotswolds, why not have a look at some of our favourite Bolthole Retreats Experiences.
Points of Note
This property has a check-in time of 16:00 and a check-out time of 10:00
The Property:- Book with us to get exclusive discounts for top attractions and experiences.
- 2 well-behaved dogs are permitted at the cottage for an additional fee.
- Guests at Muntjac Lodge receive 2 passes for complimentary use of the on-site spa (8 mins walk). Each pass provides access for all guests. Pool use and treatments must be booked in advance here.
- It is the policy of this property not to take bookings for groups where the majority of guests are under the age of 25, or single-sex group celebrations, including stag/hen parties.
- Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted.
The Estate:
- The spa outdoor pool is currently unavailable due to damage until the end of May. The spa also has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool is available at Mill Village within the estate.
- Unfortunately properties on the Lower Mill Estate cannot be booked/used for business or corporate purposes.
- For the consideration of guests on the estate, there is an 11pm noise curfew. Please keep noise to a minimum after this time.
- Children and pets must be supervised at all times at the property and throughout the estate due to direct lake access.
- By booking, you agree to adhere to the Lower Mill Estate Code of Conduct which you will find in your guest portal.
Check Availability
Spread the cost of your holiday balance with our flexible payment plan
Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- Balcony with sweeping lake views, perfect for coffee at sunrise or drinks at sunset.
- Free spa access to unwind, whether you fancy a family swim or a relaxing massage.
- Enjoy everything the lake has to offer, from paddle boarding and kayaking to simply watching the wildlife.
Discover more
The Location
The Lower Mill Estate at Cotswold Water Park is a luxurious setting for friends and families to gather and make the most of this unique location. This is nature’s playground where you can take to the water on a kayak, canoe, paddle board or katakanu, or stay on land either on foot or two wheels. There are fantastic opportunities to view the resident wildlife from birds to beavers, and fishing is available (license required). Tennis courts, an outdoor heated swimming pool and sauna are also available to all guests at the Lower Mill Estate. Visit Cotswold Country Park and Beach for a traditional family day out by the water. Spa access is available with some properties (check individual listings for details) where you can relax at the indoor pool or treat yourself to a luxurious massage (additional fee applies). During your stay, Ballihoo is the perfect choice for a meal without having to leave. There is also a range of fresh groceries and everyday essentials available in the shop.
and relax
Book your next Bolthole retreat with confidence.
1.
Guaranteed best price
Book your holiday home directly with us for the best possible price. Because we work exclusively with our owners; we guarantee you won’t find our properties cheaper elsewhere.
2.
Independent & personal
We provide genuine support from real people, no call centres here. Our friendly, knowledgeable team is here to guide you in finding the perfect holiday cottage for your next escape.
3.
Hand-picked homes
Our collection of hand-selected properties spans some of the most sought-after areas, each chosen for its unique character and quality. Our holiday homes offer guests the very best of country life.
Read our reviews
Great family holiday
The house is well designed and equipped. Lots of space for everyone. The estate felt safe for children to cycle, scooter and run around. Lots of activities to keep the whole family busy. No need to spend any extra money once on site. Lovely connection to the countryside for long dog walks, running and cycling.
June
Brilliant weekend for Easter
Myself and my family stayed at muntjac lodge over the Easter weekend, we had such a good time. The lodge is around a 5-7 min walk to the activity hub where you can rent bikes, use the outdoor swimming pool etc. The lodge was in the most beautiful location, we would definitely return. We were really impressed with the lodge having everything you may need, along with a great game selection!
Thank you Muntjac lodge!
Hannah
Responsive polite and helpful host! Lovely property. We will be back
Anna
Amazing lodge on a nice lakeside park with good facilities. Everything was perfect at the lodge - well equipped and tastefully furnished, plenty of space, comfy beds, very clean and in good condition. It was perfect for our stay with a couple of other families over New Year. One of the best lodges we’ve ever stayed at. Good facilities on site including swimming pool, spa and nice restaurant. Walking distance to a couple of nice country pubs. Would definitely stay again.
Simon
Great lodge, clean and perfect for our needs
This lodge was fabulous. Spotless, loads of space and some nice touches.
Would definitely stay again.
Rebecca
A very nice stay in a well appointed and comfortable property.
Muntjac Lodge is well appointed and comfortable. Its position is just back from the lake but has a natural aspect to the rear.
The only small complaints were that the travel cot did not have a mattress. It wasnt where we were told to find it but we used throws under the plastic base to make it more comfortable. The high chair was a bit of a mess and the fabric torn. These are minor issues which didnt matter for a short trip. The only other thing was that the heating had been set very high on arrival, which made it quite difficult to unload the cars and up three flight s of stairs for the top bedroom.
Otherwise we would definitely stay here again. The location far outweighed the few minor issues. Lovely walks and the heated pool was a big hit with the family.
Susan
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Muntjac Lodge. Were very glad to hear that you liked the property and it's lovely location. Your valuable feedback has been shared with the property owners and property manager. Theyve confirmed that a cot mattress is not provided due to health and safety reasons, and the highchair will be replaced as soon as possible. They're also sorry to hear that you found the property too warm. As noted in the welcome guide, which is available in the guest portal after booking and also in the property, "The heating is controlled via a Hive with one individual thermostat for each of the three floors. Simply turn up the dial on the thermostat for the floor as needed". We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 10th November 2025
We went as a family group for my husband’s birthday. We all had our own rooms and there were enough bathrooms for us all to use . The views from the main room and back bedrooms were beautiful. It was located near some fantastic walks, which was great for our Labrador. The on-site facilities were a great bonus particularly the swimming pools.
Amanda
Multigenerational visit to celebrate a 70 th birthday
Had an amazing weekend staying in Muntjac. Ideal for our purposes. Takes a little while to get acclimatised to the layout and workings of Lowermill estate but once we had that sorted it opened a wealth of activities. We made good use of the pool, play park and walks. The pizzas from pizza shack on Friday were great and the Private dining delivered from Ballihoo on the Saturday was delicious would definitely recommend. House was comfortable spacious and well equipped with everything we needed. Could have stayed much longer.
Our only quibble was find parking spaces on arrival in the dark. More instruction as to what look for would have helped.
Corinne
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Muntjac Lodge. We’re very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback has been shared with the property owner regarding parking who has taken this onboard and is looking into it. We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 2nd October 2025
Really was that good, house, location and the interaction with owner's management team before arrival all excellent.
Stephen
Family get together.
We had everything we needed for a great family get together. House was perfect and in a fantastic position,the estate we were on was very clean and had loads of stuff for all the children with us. Dog friendly and loads of countryside to explore. Will definitely return.
Nigel
Near perfect
This was our 2nd visit the first was so good! Good position in Howells Mere with a great outlook at the rear of the property. Very well equipped in the kitchen. There were 10 of us with 2 dogs and had ample room. Only a short walk to our favourite lake. We used tennis court daily and football a few times. It is a huge site for those that enjoy a good walk. It felt very safe and secure. The use of the pools and the spa was an excellent addition. On site support worked very well, and the welcome pack was a lovely gesture.
Thank you to our hosts and to support staff.
Mike
.
Shower on the top floor was super hot and could not be cooled. We could not use this.
Outdoor furniture was not clean and full of cobwebs and spiders. We had to hoover before use.
The rest of the property was clean.
Guest
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about your recent stay at Muntjac Lodge. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit. Your valuable feedback has been shared with both the owner and property manager. We understand you were in touch regarding the hot water issue, which we’re glad was resolved during your stay. The property manager also mentioned that they would have been very happy to assist with the shower if you had brought it to their attention, and that the outdoor furniture had been cleaned before your arrival but they would have been more than willing to reclean it for you as well. They’ve now confirmed the shower has been looked at and fixed. We hope to welcome you back to the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 3rd July 2025
Perfect mixed generation family stay
Beautiful house, well equipped kitchen made it a comfortable stay for a parents, grandparents and children.
Sophie
Clean, very well appointed, excellent facility and location.
Jon
Excellent all round
Our stay was absolutely perfect, wouldn't have changed a thing except the length of time (we all wished it was far longer!). The lodge, estate and surrounding areas are all beautiful and perfect and we couldn't have asked for a better place.
Rhian
Create Memories
Experiences designed to make your stay unforgettable
We have curated not only a portfolio of properties, but also a portfolio of experiences we recommend everyone try the next time they visit the Cotswolds and surrounding counties. This selection of ours is constantly growing as we discover more hidden gems and local stars. Many of the experiences are incredibly popular, and we encourage booking in advance because these little extras can turn your everyday holiday into a fantastic, fond memory, one you aren’t soon to forget.
