Songthrush
A stone’s throw from the exclusive spa, which you have free access to, on the Lower Mill Estate at Cotswold Water Park, Songthrush is a peaceful hideaway. With a large open plan living area and five comfortable bedrooms you can spend Summer holidays on the lakes trying various watersports, playing tennis, walking the natural surroundings and enjoying time together at this homely riverside retreat. With access to the spa included you can make use of the on-site facilities, treat yourself to a massage and while away the hours at one of the many swimming pools.
Overview
Choosing Songthrush for your next Cotswold Water Park getaway will not disappoint. Next door to the spa with the lakes of the Lower Mill Estate on your doorstep, you will leave with fabulous memories of time well spent together.
Set over three floors Songthrush is a well-equipped home from home. The ground floor living area opens on to the terrace allowing you to bring the outdoors in and maximise this space. The cosy sitting area nestles around a wood burning stove and the Smart TV and DVD player provide the evening’s entertainment. Cherish meals together as you all sit at the dining table for a homecooked dinner made in the spacious kitchen. At the end of the day, Songthrush offers the choice of five bedrooms which suit a number of different group combinations whether you are two families sharing, or a group of friends.
With two outdoor areas, you have every opportunity to soak in your surroundings. From the ground floor, sliding doors open to the terrace where there is space to dine and a gas BBQ is provided. On sunny days, fire up the grill and cook up a feast. Upstairs, the balcony is a quiet spot for relaxation shared between bedrooms two and three. There is a table and chairs here where you can read in the afternoons watching the world pass by. With one designated parking space, additional parking can be found in the on-site car parks.
Ground Floor
Open Plan Living/Kitchen/Dining Room:
This spacious open plan living room is the heart of the home. This communal space opens to the terrace with floor to ceiling doors so you can really make the most of this peaceful setting. A woodburner provides warmth on cooler evenings as you chat long into the night, enjoying this time together. The dining table can be set for ten and home-cooked meals are easily prepared in the well-equipped kitchen. You have an oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher and fridge freezer available.
Cloakroom:
The convenient ground floor cloakroom has a WC and sink.
First Floor
Bedroom Two:
There is nothing better than to wake up in a room where you can step right out onto the balcony and watch the ducks waddling by. This bedroom has a double bed, chest of drawers, bedside tables and a built-in wardrobe.
En-Suite:
The en-suite is complete with a bath, shower over, WC and sink. Soak amongst the bubbles as you relax at the end of a busy day.
Bedroom Three:
The second double bedroom also has access onto the balcony and is finished in neutral colours for a restful night’s sleep. There are bedside tables and a built-in wardrobe.
Shower Room:
The main shower room has a shower, WC and sink.
Bedroom Four:
With two full size single beds, this room suits children or two adults sharing, There is a built-in wardrobe for storage and two bedside tables with a lamp for anybody who reads at the end of the day.
Bedroom Five:
Providing flexibility when choosing a bedroom each, this single room is ideal for either a child or for accommodating adults wishing to sleep separately.
Second Floor
Bedroom One:
The master bedroom encompasses the second floor and is a well equipped hideaway. From the king-size bed, open the skylight blinds to start your day scattered with sunlight. A slow morning coffee while flicking through a magazine can be enjoyed at the table and if you must get the laptop out for work there is a desk and large monitor. A wardrobe and chest of drawers provide storage space while air conditioning keeps the room at a comfortable temperature.
En-Suite:
The large shower is perfect for rinsing off after an exhilarating day on the lakes. There is also a WC and sink.
Outside
The terrace is accompanied by a backdrop of waterfowl and the gentle rush of wind through the surrounding trees. A table and chairs seating eight gives you space to dine al fresco and there is a gas BBQ. On the balcony above, accessed from bedrooms two and three, is the perfect spot to start your day with a pastry and a cup of tea.Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - King-size
Bedroom Two - Double
Bedroom Three - Double
Bedroom Four - Twin
Bedroom Five - Single
3 Bathrooms - 2 X En-suite, 1 X Shower Room
Hairdryer
Fire - Logs Provided For An Initial Fire 1 October - 31st March
Air Conditioning - Top Floor Bedroom Only
Oven
Hob
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Coffee Machine - Nespresso
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 10
Washing Machine
Tumble Dryer
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 25-49 Mbps
TV - Smart
DVD Player
Workspace
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided)
Highchair
Outdoor
Dog Friendly - 2 Well-behaved Dogs Welcome For An Additional Fee
Garden - Terrace Open To River, Children And Pets To Be Supervised. Enclosed Balcony
Outdoor Dining Area - Seats 10
BBQ - Please Provide Your Own Charcoal
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.
- The second floor bedroom alone has air conditioning.
- Guests at Songthrush 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.
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Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- Open-plan living and five comfy bedrooms make it easy to gather friends and family.
- Step straight to the spa for a swim, sauna, or a relaxing massage.
- Lakeside adventures await with paddle boarding, kayaking, tennis, and plenty of wildlife to spot.
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
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Read our reviews
Weekend Break
Well equipped property and enjoyable break for a family of 10 get together. Location to amenities was very good although no view of the lake. Communication was very good. Reported an issue and received a reply very quickly.
Some of the vegetation along the path to the front door needs attention but appreciate that recent weather has meant rapid growth. Overall a very nice place to stay.
Christine
Great Family Stay
A lovely weekend spent with our grown-up children and baby granddaughter. The open plan living area worked well with plenty of space for all. A very well equipped kitchen made cooking stress free. The outside table was a lovely spot for breakfast. Parking was easy-we had 3cars and no issues parking outside the house. Bedrooms were suitable for our needs and fans supplied-particularly needed for top bedroom in the heatwave. It was a Beautiful spacious bedroom with en-suite, but only one small window with no airflow unfortunately. Pete and Liam, the property managers, were quick to reply to messages.Facilities onsite were close by including the activity centre and lakes to paddle board on. Overall location was close to Cotswolds country park and to lovely Cirencester and a big Tescos should you need supplies. We enjoyed our stay.
Melody
Lovely location and space for three generations in one family
Everything was fine, except the outdoor table and chairs needed a really good clean. There werent enough comfortable chairs/sofas to seat 9 people otherwise all facilities excellent.
Janet
Songthrush Review
We recently stayed in this house for my sons wedding m. The house was super, very comfortable and clean. We also went swimming in the outdoor pool only a short walk away from the house. All in all a wonderful weekend.
Sally
Family Weekend
A very well equipped house for a multi-generational family weekend. We really enjoyed the local walking trails and use of the indoor pool on the estate.
Gillian
Absolutely loved this place! We stayed locally for a wedding and it was perfect for our group of friends. There was plenty of bathroom space and a really spacious living area, which made it easy for the girls to get ready while the rest of us stayed out of the way. Highly recommend!
Jonathan
The house had 5 bedrooms two were ensuite and two other bathrooms. The open plan lounge diner kitchen was spacious giving room to watch tv or play games without getting in the way. It was clean, warm with every utensil and white good you might need far more than many places we've rented before. Car parking was good right outside the house and the pool and Ballihoo restaurant a few minutes walk away. Lots of board games for family fun also provided. For us a great stay.
Ian
An excellent holiday break in the Lakes in a very clean well equipped house
Excellent stay in a house that's very well equipped warm and spacious
Not the best of locations and outlook but near pool and facilties
Great vfm
Anne
This place is beautiful, the surroundings and complex are amazing. Lots to do nearby. A perfect getaway, we will definitely be back! Thank you!
Vicky
Fabulous property for family 70th birthday celebrations . The amenities were perfect for all age groups. The swimming pool passes were a great bonus. Would definitely recommend and would love to visit again.
Janet
A good place to celebrate a 50th Wedding Anniversary
Songthrush is a very well equipped house with plenty of accommodation and enough bathrooms to suit our party of nine. The park has great facilities to enable all ages find thingsto do, from swimming to tennis and lake walks. The log burner is excellent and Autumnal vistas through the patio doors were special.
Rodger
Great Property
Great, spacious property. We were 2 families holidaying together and there was plenty of room for us all. Well equipped kitchen and good location for restaurant and sport activities.
Only disappointment was that you could only book 1 hr a day at the Spa swimming pool. Time slots should be at least 1.5hrs.
Guest
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Songthrush. We’re very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback regarding the session times for the pool has been shared with the spa team at the estate who have taken this onboard . We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 14th August 2025
Great stay
Lovely property, great location for pool and spa, well equipped. I would recommend more seating in living room as there's only really 7 sofa seats for a property that sleeps 9. The sleeping situation seems okay upon booking but the lack of windows on the top floor meant it was very hot and stuffy when it wasn't particularly hot outside. The two double beds on the middle floor were like sleeping on a pile of bricks, after one sleepless night, a mattress topper was purchased by our group, for one of the beds but it made very little difference. We did have a great time but the lack of sleep for some members of our group meant they did unfortunately leave to go home before our holiday was over. I have said I would recommend, if the bed situation was addressed.
Laura
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent stay at Songthrush. We’re so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the property and its beautiful location. We’re sorry to hear that you didn’t sleep as well as you’d hoped, and we’ve shared your feedback with the owner and property manager. They’ve taken your comments about the double beds on board and are looking into them. We do hope to welcome you back to the Cotswolds in the future.
- Bolthole Retreats, 9th August 2025
Few days away at songthrush
Great few days at songthrush. To celebrate a birthday with family.Lovely weather made use of the swimming pools indoor and outdoor.
Good activities but think the addition of crazy golf course would be a good idea.
We look forward to visiting again
Gaynor
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Songthrush. Were delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback regarding having a crazy golf course has been shared with the team at the Lower Mill Estate, who have taken this onboard. We hope to welcome you again to the Cotswolds soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 29th July 2025
A good place to stay for a family get together. Lots for everyone to do and plenty of space in the accommodation.
Guest
Very clean house and well equipped. Great location for water parks. Nice pool and sports facilities on site. Great communication with host prior to arrival.
Annette
Lovely family break
We spent 4 days at Songthursh during the May half term. The lodge was a lovely space with ample room for 9 of us. We'll sticked with tea, coffee, biscuits etc. Plenty to do on the estate including the heated outdoor pool which was great, particularly on days when the indoor pool was fully booked. We also did the mega sup board which was fun. Would definitely recommend and return.
Loretta
Ticked all boxes. More spacious than we were expecting. Plentiful kitchen/dining equipment.
Peter
We had a lovely weekend.
Stephen
Beautiful location for a special occasion
A lovely place to stay with all the amenities you would need, for a family special birthday that made the weekend great!!
Adrian
A great weekend
We hired Songthrush for a birthday weekend and to get all the family together. The space was perfect, there were enough bathrooms and bedrooms, then we had the open social space downstairs, so it all flowed well. The welcome preparations were carefully though out, with a fire being laid and lights and radio on to welcome us, which immediately made it feel homely. There was lots of equipment in the kitchen and all over the house. Torches provided and other touches such as small toiletries and tissues. The beds were comfortable and the place was warm. We did not venture far, which was the plan as we had some elderly in our party. The plan was to use the house and spend time together as a family. We played lots of games and had many laughs. Some used the pool and gym onsite and praised this. I found walking our dog around the estate in the evening very pleasant with the houses all twinkling on the lakes.
I would certainly recommend this place.
Lester
Excellent stay, we will return!
We all had a lovely stay at Dongthrush. The house is wonderful and very well equipped so you can actually cook rather than have to eat out all the time. Great location close to the Spa and Restaurant. Only advice is, if you want to play tennis arrive early to grab a slot, all gone by 5pm on first day and can only check in at 4pm!!
Sara
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.
