Cotswold Water Park West

The Cotswold Water Park is a large collection of man made bodies of water, created from quarries which have been repurposed after the industrial operation have ceased.

The western side of the park is used for many different purposes. Some of the lakes are dedicated to leisure activities for the more adventurous such as sailing, water skiing, open water swimming and a family friendly beach.

As well as the lakes, the Thames flows through the park and so includes some of the Thames Path National Trail.

There are also large sections which have been returned to a state which is excellent for nature to return, and many bird hides and screens which let you observe the wildlife in comfort, without disturbing it.

Depending on which activity you are interested in, ease of access will vary greatly. Whilst there is a good network of paths around the site, which most people will not have difficulty covering, there may be a large distance between some of the bird hides or screens, and the nearest car park. This can be several kilometres in some cases, so we recommend you consider where you are going to park and what it is you want to do in the area.

The car park at the Gateway visitor centre is free to use and is closed in the evenings. Other car parks are pay and display and open at all times, but they do have height barriers making them unsuitable to taller vehicles.

For more details on what is on offer, and details on the companies running activities in the area, we recommend you visit the https://waterpark.org/ website.