Book the Right Cotswold Lakes Water Day in the Correct Order
Cotswold Water Park is not one single theme-park entrance. Visitors usually need either the wider Cotswold Lakes visitor map or the ticketed Cotswold Country Park & Beach admission page.
This guide keeps the steps simple: choose the right place, book admission, add AquaVenture or boats, complete waivers, check child rules, plan food, and avoid fully-booked days.
For the main ticketed Cotswold Water Park-style day, use Cotswold Country Park & Beach. Official guidance says an admission ticket is required for park entry and is also required alongside activity tickets.
- Book online in advance; fully-booked days do not allow extra pay-on-the-gate entry.
- Choose vehicle admission if arriving by car, MPV, minibus or coach.
- Choose pedestrian/cyclist admission if being dropped off, walking in or cycling in.
- For wider lakes, walks and general visitor information, use the Cotswold Lakes map instead.
I Want To… Use the Exact Official Action
Choose the job you need first. This stops users from buying an activity without admission, using an old coupon page, or arriving on a fully-booked date.
Book a family beach day
Use admission for beach, swimming area, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets, shop and activity areas.
Open official ticket shopCompare seasonal prices
Low, mid and high season prices differ. Check Gift Aid and Non Gift Aid options before paying.
Open official admission pricesAdd AquaVenture
Check age, height, swim ability, safety briefing, waiver and 30-minute check-in rules.
Open AquaVenture rulesComplete activity waiver
A waiver may be required for AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, pedal-karts and climbing wall activities.
Complete official waiverBuy gift vouchers
Official gift vouchers are listed at £10, £15, £25 and £50; AquaVenture voucher is listed at £65.
Open official vouchersExplore the wider lakes
Use Cotswold Lakes pages for walking, cycling, leisure map, visitor centre and wider lake area help.
Open Cotswold Lakes mapOfficial Links to Verify Before Booking
Use official pages for final decisions because prices, weather decisions, full-capacity days and operating rules can change.
Buy tickets
Official online shop for admission, activities, vouchers and add-ons.
Open ticket checkoutFAQs
Rules for full dates, refunds, Blue Light discount, dogs, BBQ, toilets, swimming and AquaVenture.
Read official FAQsFinding us
Address, postcode, driving directions and nearest railway station information.
Get official directionsCotswold Water Park vs Cotswold Lakes vs Country Park & Beach
Most visitor confusion starts here. The old “Cotswold Water Park” search phrase often points to the wider lake area, while the paid family beach and inflatable water activity is Cotswold Country Park & Beach.
| What you searched | What it usually means | Correct action | Avoid this mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotswold Water Park | The wider Cotswold Lakes area with more than 180 lakes across about 42 square miles. | Use the Cotswold Lakes visitor map and visitor information. | Expecting one single waterpark gate. |
| Cotswold Water Park tickets | Usually Country Park & Beach admission or activities. | Book admission first through the official ticket shop. | Buying AquaVenture without admission. |
| AquaVenture Cotswolds | Inflatable water activity at Cotswold Country Park & Beach. | Check age, height, swim ability and waiver before booking. | Arriving late or without completed disclaimer. |
| Cotswold Lakes activities | Walking, cycling, lakes, watersports providers and visitor centre help. | Use Cotswold Lakes Things to Do and map pages. | Assuming every lake allows swimming or launching your own craft. |
2026 Admission Prices: Low, Mid and High Season
Admission covers entry to the beach, swimming area, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets, onsite shop and activity areas. Activities and BBQ hire cost extra.
| Admission type | Low season Gift Aid / Non Gift Aid | Mid season Gift Aid / Non Gift Aid | High season Gift Aid / Non Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian / Cyclist | £3.50 / £3.18 | £4.50 / £4.09 | £5.50 / £5.00 |
| Motorbike up to 2 persons | £5.00 / £4.55 | £8.00 / £7.27 | £9.00 / £8.18 |
| Car up to 5 persons | £10.00 / £9.09 | £15.00 / £13.64 | £20.00 / £18.18 |
| MPV 6-8 persons | £15.00 / £13.64 | £20.00 / £18.18 | £25.00 / £22.73 |
| Minibus | £30.00 / £27.27 | £40.00 / £36.36 | £50.00 / £45.45 |
| Coach | £140 | £175 | £200 |
Activities, Eligibility, Timing and Add-On Costs
Activities are not automatically included in admission. Check the practical rules before promising children a specific session.
| Activity | Official listed price / time | Main rule | Before you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| AquaVenture | From £16 per person; 10-minute safety brief plus 50-minute session; wetsuit hire £6. | Minimum age 6 and over 110 cm. Must swim 50 m unaided and be confident in water. | Book admission too, complete disclaimer and arrive 30 minutes early. |
| SUPs and kayaks | 30-minute session from £12 per person. | Minimum age 11 and over 110 cm for SUP/single kayak; ages 6-10 can join double kayak with adult. | Personal paddleboards, kayaks and boats cannot be launched from the site. |
| Swan pedalo / Mini Port | 30-minute session from £12 per boat. | Under 11s need an adult aged 18+ onboard. | Good option for mixed family groups and younger visitors. |
| Row boat | 30-minute session from £10 per boat. | Under 11s need adult supervision onboard. | Check weather and availability before arrival. |
| Paddle boat | 20-minute session from £5 per boat. | Minimum age 3; ages 3-5 need an adult onboard. | Useful for younger children who cannot use AquaVenture. |
Vouchers, Season Pass, Blue Light Discount and Group Savings
Use official discount routes only. Do not trust coupon pages that cannot be verified at checkout.
Gift vouchers
Official gift vouchers are listed at £10, £15, £25 and £50, valid for one year and redeemable online for admission and activities.
Check official vouchersAquaVenture voucher
Listed at £65 for one car admission, four AquaVenture tickets and four wetsuit hires on a date of choice, subject to availability.
View AquaVenture voucherSeason pass
Admission Season Pass is listed at £120, issued per vehicle and valid for one year, but entry still requires pre-booked admission.
Check season pass termsBlue Light and group discount
Official FAQ says Blue Light Card holders should contact the office for an admission code. AquaVenture group code applies to 20+ AquaVenture tickets.
Verify discount rulesStep-by-Step Booking Order for a Smooth Visit
Use Country Park & Beach for admission, beach, swimming and AquaVenture. Use Cotswold Lakes for the wider lake area.
Low, mid and high season admissions have different prices. Pick your date first.
Activities do not replace admission. The park can refuse entry on fully-booked days.
Use AquaVenture for inflatable water fun, boat hire for calmer family time, and SUP/kayak only if age and swim rules fit.
Do this before leaving home when possible, especially for AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, pedal-karts or climbing wall.
Good-weather weekends and school holidays can sell out. Storms or high winds can affect sessions.
AquaVenture requires check-in 30 minutes before session start.
The official admission page warns that guests remaining beyond posted closing times may face a £100 release fee.
Decision Cards: Choose the Best Visit Type
Pick the option that matches your group, not the one with the loudest discount wording.
Budget family day
Best route: car admission + picnic without glass + beach/playground/lake walk.
- Cheaper than adding multiple activities.
- Works well for toddlers and mixed ages.
- Check high-season vehicle price before going.
Teen activity day
Best route: admission + AquaVenture + waiver + 30-minute early arrival.
- Minimum age, height and swim rules apply.
- Adult rules differ for ages 6-10 and 11-15.
- Traffic delays can risk missing the session.
Repeat local visits
Best route: admission season pass if you can visit enough times.
- Pass is per vehicle, not per person.
- Still pre-book your visit date.
- Not guaranteed on fully-booked days without a booking.
Gift or birthday plan
Best route: gift voucher or AquaVenture voucher.
- Gift vouchers can be used online for admission and activities.
- AquaVenture voucher may be better for four participants.
- Still check availability before promising a date.
Map, Postcode, Parking and Travel Help
For the ticketed attraction use Cotswold Country Park & Beach, Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF. For the wider lake area, use the Cotswold Lakes visitor map and visitor centre details.
Arrival decisions
- Driving: book vehicle admission for car, MPV, motorbike, minibus or coach.
- Walking/cycling/drop-off: use pedestrian/cyclist admission.
- No nearby overflow parking: official FAQ says there is no external parking outside the park.
- Nearest rail help: Kemble is listed as the nearest railway station and around 15 minutes by car from Country Park & Beach.
- Wider lakes: Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre is at Spine Road, South Cerney GL7 5FP.
Facilities, Food, Dogs, Toilets and Onsite Rules
These practical details prevent the most common arrival problems.
| Need | Official rule / detail | Practical move |
|---|---|---|
| Food and drink | Food outlets include Beach Shack, Dragonfly Café, Roma’s Pizzeria and Ice Cream Hut. Picnics are allowed, but no glass bottles or containers. | Pack picnic safely or budget for food inside; leave glass at home. |
| BBQs | Disposable BBQs, fires and gas burners are prohibited. BBQ areas can be rented. | Do not bring disposable BBQs; book BBQ hire if required. |
| Dogs | Dogs are welcome on leads but not on the beach or in the water. They may be allowed on boats within reason and in the café. | Bring lead, water and shade. Never leave pets in vehicles during hot weather. |
| Toilets | Toilets are open during business hours. There are two toilet blocks and a disabled toilet at the main entrance. | Use toilets before AquaVenture; there are no toilets at AquaVenture itself. |
| Lockers / valuables | Small keyed lockers are available for valuables at AquaVenture; visitors are advised not to bring valuables if possible. | Leave valuables with a non-participant or locked safely in the car where appropriate. |
| Wetsuits | Wetsuits are mandatory for AquaVenture if water temperature is below 15°C; hire is available subject to availability at £6. | Bring your own wetsuit if you need certainty on colder days. |
Common Mistakes and Failed-Visit Warnings
Buying activity without admission
AquaVenture and other activities do not include admission. Book admission too.
Arriving on a fully-booked date
If the website shows fully booked, extra pay-on-the-gate entry is not available.
Missing AquaVenture check-in
Arrive 30 minutes before your session. Late arrival may mean staff cannot fit you in.
Ignoring swim ability rules
AquaVenture and SUP/kayak participants must swim 50 m unaided and be confident in water.
Bringing personal SUPs or kayaks
The official FAQ says personal craft cannot be launched from the site.
Leaving too late
Guests staying beyond posted closing times may be subject to a £100 release fee.
Checklist Before Leaving Home
Tickets
- Admission booked for correct date.
- Activity tickets added separately if needed.
- Season pass visit date pre-booked if using pass.
- Voucher balance/redeem link checked if using voucher.
Rules
- Age and height checked.
- Swim ability checked.
- Waiver completed.
- Weather and fully-booked notice checked.
Packing
- Swimwear, towel, sunscreen and dry clothes.
- Picnic without glass containers.
- Card/phone for onsite purchases.
- Dog lead, water and shade if bringing a dog.
Arrival
- Postcode GL7 6DF saved.
- No external parking backup assumed.
- AquaVenture arrival set 30 minutes early.
- Exit alarm set before closing time.
Contact Help Box: Ask Before You Travel
Contact the office if your visit depends on Blue Light discount, group AquaVenture booking, waiver issues, late arrival, accessibility, season pass use, weather, dogs or a special group plan.
Official contact details
- Phone: 01285 868096 Mon-Sun, 9:00am-5:00pm
- Email: info@cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com
- Address: Cotswold Country Park & Beach, Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF
Phone or email script
Hello, I plan to visit on [date] with [number of adults] and [children’s ages/heights]. We want [admission only / AquaVenture / SUPs / boat hire]. Can you confirm availability, waiver requirements, check-in time, weather rules and whether admission is already included in my basket?
FAQs About Cotswold Water Park Tickets, Prices and AquaVenture
Is Cotswold Water Park one single water park?
No. Cotswold Water Park is commonly used for the wider Cotswold Lakes area. The main ticketed family beach, swimming and AquaVenture attraction is Cotswold Country Park & Beach.
Do I need admission if I already bought AquaVenture?
Yes. AquaVenture tickets do not include admission. You need an admission ticket as well as AquaVenture tickets.
What are the 2026 car admission prices?
Official 2026 car admission up to 5 persons is listed as £10 Gift Aid / £9.09 Non Gift Aid in low season, £15 / £13.64 in mid season, and £20 / £18.18 in high season.
How much is AquaVenture?
AquaVenture is listed from £16 per person, with a 10-minute safety briefing and 50-minute session. Wetsuit hire is listed at £6.
What age and height are needed for AquaVenture?
AquaVenture participants must be at least 6 years old and over 110 cm. Ages 6-10 need an adult on AquaVenture, and ages 11-15 need an adult to sign the disclaimer and remain onsite.
Can I enter if the website says fully booked?
No. When the official website shows fully booked, all parking and admission slots are allocated and no extra pay-on-the-gate tickets are available.
Can I bring my own paddleboard or kayak?
No. Personal craft, including SUPs, kayaks and boats, cannot be launched from the site.
Can I bring food and drink?
Yes, picnics are allowed, but visitors should not bring glass bottles or containers. Disposable BBQs, fires and gas burners are prohibited.
Are dogs allowed at Cotswold Country Park & Beach?
Dogs are welcome on leads, but they are not allowed on the beach or in the water. They may be allowed on boats within reason and in the café.
Where is Cotswold Country Park & Beach?
The official address is Cotswold Country Park & Beach, Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF. Kemble is the nearest railway station listed, around a 15-minute drive away.
Final Booking Rule
Book in this order: confirm whether you need Cotswold Lakes or Country Park & Beach, choose date and season, book admission, add activities, complete waivers, check age/height/swim rules, plan food and travel, then leave before closing time.