Cotswold Leisure

The leisure centre in Cirencester isn't going to win any architecture awards, but it does exactly what it says on the tin. You get a proper swimming pool - indoor, heated, and reliably chlorinated - plus a smaller teaching pool if you've got young kids who are still building confidence in the water. There's a gym attached if that's your thing, though most visitors are here for the straightforward business of getting some lengths in or letting the children burn off energy.

Families will appreciate the fact it's unpretentious and genuinely functional. No fancy waterslides or wave machines to justify premium pricing - just honest-to-goodness swimming facilities. Keen swimmers looking for a decent session will find it serviceable; it's the sort of place you pop into on a rainy afternoon rather than plan an entire day around.

The real advantage is proximity to the nearby caravan parks. Cirencester Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite sits barely half a mile away, making this an easy evening walk with the kids after a day outdoors. Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park, a touch further at four and a bit miles, also makes it convenient for a quick dip during your stay. Check the website for current opening hours and entry charges before you go - leisure centre details do shift about seasonally. It's the sort of place that keeps a holiday ticking over rather than stealing the show, but in the Cotswolds, sometimes that's exactly what you need.