CHANNEL Springwatch and immerse yourself in a nature reserve, says writer Mia Lyndon.
THE PAD
You’ll be able to call kingfishers, cranes and thousands of other beautiful birds your neighbours here.
Tucked inside Slimbridge Wetland Centre, just half an hour’s drive south of Gloucester, are five shepherd’s huts, each with their own pond and mini wetland, and sleeping between two and four people.
We spotted rabbits and foxes from our snug digs among the 100 acres of lush landscape, plus every hut is kitted out with a vintage-style oven, waterfall shower (with excellent water pressure, FYI) and spacious decking.
Owl-shaped curtain hooks and a cuddly mallard doorstop only add to the charm.
EXPLORE
Make the most of your unlimited access to the wetland centre and feed wildfowl on Swan Lake, before bobbing along on an hour-long canoe tour, £10 per person, to get closer to diving ducks and water voles.
Or hunt down egrets, stalks and grass snakes with the help of friendly driver Chris on a Wildlife Safari – £5 per adult, £3.50 per child (wwt.org.uk).
Find yet more stunning views at Miserden Gardens and wander past elegant topiary, lush fruit trees and herds of roaming deer in this exquisite 17th-century walled garden. Entry costs £12 and under-16s are free (Miserden.org).
Meanwhile, thronging with vibrant indie stores, quaint Stroud is a short drive away.
Pop into the buzzy Malthouse Collective for two storeys of vintage clothes, hand-poured candles and fab local art (Themalthousecollective.co.uk), then hit Made In Stroud for pretty pottery and jewellery (Madeinstroud.co.uk).
Alongside a sweet miniature railway, Stroud’s Stratford Park is home to the Museum In The Park – check out local artefacts, oil paintings and even a Gloucestershire Stegosaur fossil. Entry is free (Museuminthepark.org.uk).
REFUEL
Hunker down with a tasty (and very generous) Full Monty English brekkie, £13, at The Tudor Arms, which sits beside the Gloucester And Sharpness Canal and is just a 10-minute stroll from your bed (Thetudorarms.co.uk).
For a laid-back yet impressive dinner, hike over to The George Inn for dishes such as succulent venison steak with chocolate and red wine sauce, £25, followed by tangy home-made blackcurrant and orange cheesecake, £7 (Quality-inns.co.uk).
Or gaze across rolling valleys at The Bell Inn at Selsley, while tucking into fluffy smoked Hereford cheese croquette, £19, and warming cinnamon milk pie, £9.
Don’t miss the Romanian Calusari white, £6.50 a glass – it’s zippy, fresh and absolutely delicious (Thebellinnselsley.com).
Elsewhere, there are cosy cafes aplenty in Stroud, but the irresistible ginger and date crumble cake, £3.90, at buzzy Woodruffs helps it reign supreme (Woodruffsorganiccafe.co.uk).
Book it
Stays for two at Warblers’ Meadow, Slimbridge, cost from £150 per night (wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge).
