Howells Mere, Lower Mill Estate, GL7

Within easy reach of London via road or rail and set within 450 acres of private nature reserve, Nightingale House has so much to offer.  Whether it’s a weekend break, a romantic retreat or an annual escape, Lower Mill Estate offers fun, adventure and relaxation.  Take to the water on one of the many freshwater lakes, explore on two wheels, relax in the spa or enjoy dinner with family and friends at the onsite restaurant – this is the perfect place to make memories, with endless activities on the doorstep.

Contemporary and luxurious, Nightingale House was designed by an award-winning architect to the current owners’ exacting specifications fourteen years ago and features many bespoke elements including underfloor heating, surround sound music system, Cat 5 cabling, high ceilings and glass walls to allow in maximum natural light.  Situated on the front line with uninterrupted views over tranquil Swillbrook Lake and with a valuable boat store and spa access this is a comfortable and spacious retreat that has also been a successful rental property for the current owners.

Accessed via an impressive bespoke glass staircase, the open-plan living space is situated on the first floor to make the most of the incredible views on three sides, and really has the ‘wow’ factor, with full height glass walls offering amazing views over the lake and its myriad wildlife.

The centrepiece is the stunning double-sided feature fireplace which provides a visual separation between the living/dining areas as well as cosy warmth in winter.  A large outside terrace runs around three sides and is accessed through sliding doors to the front.  Designed to capture the sun at any time of day, this is a perfectly tranquil spot whether you’re enjoying morning coffee, a BBQ with friends or a G&T while watching the sunset.

The well-equipped kitchen, designed by KBSA, is finished in gloss grey with Silestone worktops and is thoughtfully laid out with a large ‘sit-up’ island as well as a range of Neff integrated appliances including dishwasher, washing machine, oven/microwave and gas hob. 

On the ground floor there are two spacious and comfortable bedrooms, both with direct access onto an outside terrace overlooking the lake.  The principal bedroom has space for a king-size bed as well as fitted wardrobes and an ensuite bathroom with bath and overhead shower.  Sliding doors lead directly onto the terrace which would be the perfect spot for a hot-tub!  The second bedroom is currently arranged as a twin and features fitted wardrobes with a cleverly hidden desk/dressing table.  The second bedroom is served by a separate shower room.

Nightingale House comes with a dedicated parking space, with ample additional guest parking nearby.  A huge bonus to this lovely home is the separate boat store, a few steps away from the house.  It’s a useful space to keep kayaks, bikes and other items, and its high ceiling makes it possible to create a separate upper storage area.

THE PERFECT LOCATION

The Lower Mill Estate is an exclusive community of luxury lodges and individually designed holiday homes set within hundreds of acres of nature reserve and freshwater lakes.  There’s so much to do in this unique location, whether you fancy a quiet weekend in nature or you’re after more action.  There are tennis courts, swimming pools, a five-a-side football pitch, children’s playground and lots of watersports on offer.  Or you could simply explore the miles of beautiful footpaths through stunning scenery.

The recently refurbished and extended spa features indoor and outdoor pools as well as a wild swimming pool.  There’s a well-equipped gym, sauna and steam rooms and a variety of treatments on offer.  After your swim or massage, you can relax in the landscaped gardens or tranquil library.

The onsite restaurant, ‘Balli Hoo’, serves breakfast, lunch and evening meals, as well as morning coffee.  In high season there are wood-fired pizzas to enjoy al-fresco or take away.  The onsite shop sells groceries, newspapers and household items too. 

Lower Mill is easily accessed from London making it a perfect weekend escape.  On the doorstep, the idyllic countryside was featured in the opening credits for the London 2012 Olympics.  As well as everything on offer at Lower Mill, the River Thames offers a whole range of leisure options for outdoorsy types, with all kinds of wildlife and birds including a protected colony of beavers calling this area home.  Kemble Station offers a journey time to London Paddington of around 80 minutes, whilst Swindon station also has frequent trains to the capital.  By road, it’s a straightforward journey down the M4 to Junction 16.   In addition to the onsite facilities, a wide range of shopping and leisure options can be found in nearby Cirencester.