Acres of indoor and outdoor fun

Families and hens can enjoy acres of indoor and outdoor fun at magnificently modern Southlake House. In the epicentre of Cotswold lake country, it offers movies in the cinema room, pool in the playroom, and tennis and trampolining in the garden. Wrap up the day with serene stargazing for several in the 17-foot hot tub.

Silence, serenity and a huge hot tub

In the middle of Cotswold farm and lakes country, close to the source of the Prince of Wales’ Duchy brand, sits the sound of silence. In the epicentre, Southlake House is the perfect escape for families and hens, with acres of outdoor fun and plenty inside to keep you occupied from first lark to late-night drinks.

Everything here is magnificently modern. Anything that doesn’t add to your comfort adds to the sense of fun. Relax and reconnect in the lounge. Let the kids discover the cinema room with squishy sofa and the playroom with pool table. Keep the serenity simmering with the tree swing, paddle tennis court and garden playhouse.

Outdoors is a good deal here, with cricket and croquet on the lawn and a trampoline for kids and big kids. But pack your swimwear, because what the heck is that? It’s the piece de resistance – the 17-foot hot tub built into the deck. Gaze at the stars, take in the views, break out the bubbly.

Cook in ultra-modern convenience or stand back and let our chefs shine. Eat around the breakfast bar and dining table, or out on the deck, with kebabs from the barbie in the still country air. Take a nightcap with real ale from The George. Then sleep in supreme comfort in six crisp-linen bedrooms. Do it all again tomorrow.

Gardens and grounds

The indoors is great, but the outdoors might be greater. An acre sprawls before you, ready for kids’ hide-and-seek, lawn cricket and croquet or a little paddle tennis on the mini court. Bring your dog and play fetch forever.

Expend some energy on the trampoline, let the kids watch hours disappear in the playhouse or on the tree swing. When it’s time to eat, light up the barbie and sizzle your sausages on the terrace.

As darkness descends, step onto the oak deck and slide into the 17-foot hot tub to make magical memories and stare at the stars.

Living spacesLiving spacesLiving spacesLiving spaces

Living spaces

It all begins in the entrance, where a water feature bubbles away enchantingly. From here, the living room’s a mega-modern world of chunky rugs and hardwood floors. Leather sofas face the homely flames of the gas fire and the endless entertainment of Sky TV and Blu-ray disks.

Doors open onto the deck and the sound of birdsong trickles in on the breeze. The BT Infinity wifi could be the fastest thing around here. So, relax. Catch the match or make it a movie night in the cinema room. Let the kids shoot some pool in the playroom.

This is an oasis of luxury, an escape from the strain of modern life, complete with sociable spaces for cards and chatter, or solitary boltholes for lazily turning the pages of a novel. Southlake is whatever takes your fancy.

Cooking and dining

The kitchen-diner here’s as well-appointed and palatial as the rest of the pad. There’s space for eight around the dining table beneath the ice lights and room for another four around the breakfast table. If you’re banking on a banquet for 15 or more, a folding table will do the job nicely.

The kitchen comes in a funky modern walnut with lime-green splashbacks, complete with oven, four-ring induction hob and microwave. The deck’s equipped with tables and chairs, so you can go all al-fresco with a barbie in the Cotswold sunshine. Cool your drinks from the ice machine and chill your heels in the garden.

Want to take it really easy? The Red Onion Catering Company’s just a phone call away and can step up to all occasions, from a tasty lunchtime sandwich to a large special event. If a potter down to the village for a pie and a pint sounds good, there’s real ale at The George and a warm welcome at The Elliot Arms and The Royal Oak.

Southlake is also home to The Lakeside Brasserie with good food, fine water views and a sideline in water-skiing. Local restaurants include the Parisian-inspired Cote Brasserie, The Old Boathouse – a contemporary restaurant with classic pub fare and a lakeside terrace – and The Thai Emerald for authentic Thai, served in silk.

Bedrooms

Plenty room here for big extended families or hens wanting boudoir privacy. Southlake House sleeps 15 in crisp-cottoned comfort, with garden views, TVs as standard, and the trickle of cool Cotswold air through the windows.

The master bedroom comes with a superking bed and en-suite with large bath, walk-in-shower and TV. The Dolphin room is a double, while the White room is a king-size that shares a bathroom with the Dolphin. The Gym room sleeps three in a double and a sofabed, with free workout on the gym equipment.

The Pink room can accommodate three in a kingsize and sofabed, while the Blue is a kids’ room with single beds. A floating zedbed can be moved around.

There’s a first-floor family bathroom and a second-floor bathroom that serves the top two bedrooms. On the ground floor, you’ll find a shower room with toilet, sink and walk-in shower that’s perfect for sprucing up before using the hot tub.

What people say?

What people say?

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"What an amazing house! We didn't want to leave. All the rooms were spotless and full of everything we needed. The hot tub and tennis court were a highlight for us!" - Janice
"We had a wonderful stay, the house was beautifully kept and very well equipped with more than we could have expected." - Mike
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Ride, swim and lunch

Swim in spring water at Cirencester Open Air Pool, or go all Bear Grylls at the Adventure Zone. Adults will enjoy Cirencester’s eclectic nightlife, lunch in Cheltenham, or spa days at the De Vere.