As you drive through the main gate of the Isis and Windrush resort - part of the Cotswold Water Park - you'll instantly feel as if you have driven into a New England scene set in beautiful English countryside. A fountain gushes high to one side, perfectly tended gardens with picket fences are all around, with reed-edged lakes to each side - and a row of uber pretty, clapperboard cottages lie straight ahead, one of which is Mayfly Lodge.
This immaculate lakeside holiday home has been lovingly refurbished to a very high standard, using a refreshing, neutral palette of colours with dashes of colour, which perfectly complement the exterior's New England architectural style. As you step inside your eye will be drawn across the fabulous open plan kitchen, dining and living area to the sun deck and the view over Isis Lake. Three bedrooms, one with an en-suite shower room, and a family bathroom occupy the first floor, all with breath-taking views across the lakes and gardens. When guests aren't making full use of all the activities on and around the neighbouring lakes and in the Cotswold Water Park, there's plenty to enjoy at the cottage from watching the smart TV to sipping a morning coffee on the sundeck while watching the sunrise.
Mayfly Lodge is surrounded by beautiful gardens and two of Cotswold Water Park's fabulous lakes - Windrush and Isis. There is direct access to Isis Lake from the private sundeck, which is equipped with a dining table, chairs, a parasol and a double rattan snuggle seat. Anybody keen to do some fishing will be tantalised by the trout jumping in Isis Lake and the huge carp gliding around both Isis and Windrush Lakes. Within a few steps is a table tennis room, tennis courts, children's play area, cricket and golf practice nets, a football goal, a volleyball net, a boules piste, a croquet lawn and a launch for non-motorised boats of all types.
Ground Floor
Entrance:
Step in from the pretty porch, with its seat and lovely view towards Isis Lake, into the beautiful, open-plan ground floor living space where your eye will be drawn through the kitchen, dining and living area to the sundeck and the fabulous view over Isis Lake, and its impressive water fountain.
Kitchen:
The fully equipped, newly refurbished kitchen is bright, light and spacious with a long preparation area and a lovely view towards Isis Lake from the window over the double sink. The kitchen has a Nespresso coffee machine, microwave, dishwasher, electric cooker, a washer-dryer (handy for damp towels from all the water activities) and a large fridge-freezer, plus all the equipment needed for a fully self-catered stay.
Breakfast Area:
To one side of the kitchen is a cosy and delightful breakfast area with a high glass-top counter, two bar stools and a fabulous view across the gardens towards the octagonal table tennis room. Here you'll find a pretty dresser storing glasses, crockery, cafetieres and other handy kitchen items. A large, wicker basket provides storage for outdoor/sports equipment, including the lodge's own tennis racquets, table tennis bats, balls etc, which guests are welcome to borrow.
Dining Area:
Sitting between the kitchen and living area is a comfortable dining area, which is furnished with a table and seating for six guests, and a magnificent, dark green dresser with lots of novels, local interest books and table furnishings. (An understairs cupboard, opposite the table, provides storage for cleaning equipment and the highchair.)
Living Area:
The living area is furnished with two comfy, three-seater sofas, an armchair and a large, padded footstool, which are set up to enjoy the stunning view of Isis Lake or watch the smart 43" TV. An ambience, electric fireplace with mood lighting provides another focal point. Occasional tables and reading lamps add the finishing touch to this lovely room with a view!
Sundeck:
French doors open out to the fabulous sun deck, furnished with a dining table, chairs, a rattan snuggle seat and a parasol. The sun shines all the way up and over Mayfly Lodge. You'll be wowed by the sunrise as you sit out on the deck with a cup of Java in hand, watching the trout jumping and the water fountain cascading right in front of you.
First Floor
Head up the carpeted staircase, with a banister, to:
Bedroom One:
The light and bright master bedroom features French doors with a Juliette balcony, providing and breath-taking view over Isis Lake. The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed with bedside tables and reading lamps, a chest of drawers with a large mirror above, a 32" smart TV, and a walk-in wardrobe with hanging space and shelves. (A locked cupboard in the bedroom houses the boiler.)
En-suite Shower Room:
The generously sized, light and bright en-suite features a double-width, cabinet shower with an adjustable hand shower, an extra wide washbasin with a mirror over, a vanity unit, a shaver point and makeup/shaver mirror, a toilet and a heated towel rail.
Bedroom Two:
The second bedroom is equally delightful and spacious with a lovely view towards Isis Lake and Windrush Lake. The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed with bedside tables and reading lights, a chest of drawers, a large built-in wardrobe and full-length mirror, and a lovely seating area beside the window with an armchair, small table and lamp. If you need some peace and quiet to work, this would be the place to retreat to!
Bedroom Three:
The cosy, third bedroom overlooks the gardens and Isis Lake to the front and is ideally suited to younger guests, as space is a little limited, but it does have two, full-size single beds so two adults could comfortably sleep in here. There is a reading lamp, a tall chest of drawers and hooks with hangers.
Family Bathroom:
The bathroom features a full-size bath with a hand-held shower, an extra wide washbasin with a mirror over, a vanity unit, a shaver point and makeup/shaver mirror, a toilet and a heated towel rail.
Outside
French doors open from the living room to a private, New England-style deck with al fresco dining facilities, and a snuggle seat. A gate opens to Isis Lake and the perfectly manicured shared gardens - all available for guests' use - that surround the Lodge and its neighbouring properties. If you're keen to fish for trout for your supper, simply open the gate on the deck, cross the lawn and enjoy the beautiful lake and gardens.
A stay at Mayfly Lodge provides guests with access to a smorgasbord of facilities and complementary activities at Cotswold Water Park. Within a few paces of the lodge is an octagon-shaped table tennis room with one table, three tennis courts (one floodlit), a children's play area, a croquet lawn, a boules piste, a games room with pool table and games machines (small charge payable), cricket and golf practice nets, a football goal, and a volleyball net.
Neighbouring Windrush Lake has a slipway to launch your own small sailing dinghy, rowing boat, canoe or kayak. Motorised launches are not permitted here, but don't worry if speed is your thing, there are plenty of opportunities to have a go at motorised sports such as wakeboarding and water skiing on one of the Cotswold Water Park's many lakes - you can even learn to drive a waterski boat.
If walking and cycling are what you love to do, the Cotswold Water Park's network of paths and cycle routes will delight you. Wind your way around the 180 lakes, passing water meadows, towpaths, the Thames & Severn Canal, woodland, picnic areas, picturesque villages, the flagship Cotswold Water Park Nature Reserve, the Cleveland Lakes Nature Reserve and the lush green meadows alongside the River Thames - to name just a few highlights. If you don't have room to bring your own bikes, you can hire them at the Gateway Centre, just a few minutes from Mayfly Lodge.
If you enjoy open water swimming, head to one of four swimming lakes: Lake 32 Outdoor Centre, Cotswold Country Park & Beach, Cotswold Water Park Hire (Lake 86) or 4 Lakes. See Waterpark.org for more details.
At the end of a busy day, head down the Spine Road to the Gateway Centre (0.3 miles) where you'll find a restaurant, café, pizzeria, bar and takeaway service, or take the turn before and head to Spa6 - the DeVere luxury Cotswold Spa.
