Cotswold Water Park 2026: Tickets, Hours & Family Prices

by
🌊 Cotswold Lakes • 2026 Visit Planner

Cotswold Water Park Tickets, AquaVenture, Swimming & Family Day Planning

Cotswold Water Park is not one conventional gated waterpark. The name covers a huge lakeland destination with many separate lakes, activity operators, paths, nature areas and places to stay.

If you want the ticketed inland-beach experience with swimming, playgrounds and AquaVenture, the destination you probably need is Cotswold Country Park & Beach near Cirencester.

🎟️ Check Official Admission 🗺️ Explore Wider Cotswold Lakes
🏖️ Inland beach 🌊 Around 180 lakes 📍 GL7 6DF beach site 🎢 AquaVenture from £16
Do not drive to a generic “Cotswold Water Park” map pin. Choose your lake or attraction first. Different activities operate from different locations.
🏖️ Beach Day GL7 6DF
Swimming + play
🛟 AquaVenture Age 6+
110cm+ • swim 50m
🌿 Wider Lakes Walk • cycle
wildlife • activities
180 lakes
to navigate
Quick Answer

What Should You Actually Book at Cotswold Water Park?

If your family wants a sandy beach, designated lake swimming, playgrounds and optional activities, start with Cotswold Country Park & Beach at Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester, GL7 6DF.

Park admission is the first purchase. AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, boats, mini golf and other paid activities are separate extras. Booking an activity does not remove the need for park admission.

📍
Beach postcode GL7 6DF
🎟️
First booking Park admission
🛟
AquaVenture From £16 per person
☎️
Venue phone 01285 868096
Best first-time strategy: book the beach site if you want a classic family water day. Use the wider Cotswold Lakes visitor map if your priority is walking, cycling, wildlife, fishing or a different watersports provider.
Stop the location mix-up

Cotswold Water Park vs Cotswold Country Park & Beach

🌿 Cotswold Lakes / Cotswold Water Park

This is the wider lakeland area, not one ticketed attraction. It spreads across a large landscape and contains roughly 180 lakes.

  • Walking and cycling routes
  • Nature reserves and birdwatching
  • Separate watersports operators
  • Fishing venues
  • Hotels and holiday accommodation
  • Visitor Centre and leisure maps
Open official visitor information

🏖️ Cotswold Country Park & Beach

This is the ticketed family beach and activity attraction many searchers mean when looking for a Cotswold waterpark day.

  • Inland sandy beach
  • Designated swimming area
  • AquaVenture
  • SUP and kayak hire
  • Boat hire and mini golf
  • Playgrounds and food outlets
Open official park website
Failed-visit risk: searching only for “Cotswold Water Park” can send you toward the wider lakes instead of the attraction for which you bought tickets. Put the exact venue name and postcode into navigation.
Booking planner

Cotswold Water Park Tickets and 2026 Costs

Cotswold Country Park & Beach uses seasonal admission, so the amount you pay can depend on your visit date and arrival type. Check the official admission calendar immediately before paying rather than relying on an old screenshot or cached price.

Admission provides access to the beach, designated swimming area, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets, onsite shop and activity areas. Paid activities are additional.

Park admission Date-based

Check the current low, mid or high-season rate for your visit.

AquaVenture From £16

10-minute safety briefing plus a 50-minute session.

SUP / kayak From £12

30-minute hire session. Participant rules apply.

Mini golf £5

Approximately 40 minutes on the nine-hole course.

Budget tip: calculate admission + chosen activity + optional equipment, not simply the headline activity price. AquaVenture wetsuit hire is listed separately at £6 on the day.

Season Pass: when does it make sense?

The official Admission Season Pass is listed at £120 and is issued per vehicle rather than per person. It is valid for one year from purchase, but the park closes during winter.

A pass does not guarantee access on a fully booked date. Pass holders still need to reserve their admission for the planned visit.

Check Official Season Pass
Choose before paying

Which Cotswold Water Park Activity Fits Your Group?

01

Beach + Swimming

Best for: families wanting a simple lake day without filling the schedule with paid extras.

Use the designated beach swimming area and follow the current flag.

02

AquaVenture

Best for: confident swimmers who meet the published age, height and physical requirements.

This is the big inflatable obstacle-course option.

03

SUP or Kayak

Best for: visitors who want a more controlled paddling activity rather than an inflatable course.

Hire sessions include buoyancy aids.

04

Boat Hire

Best for: mixed groups wanting time on the lake without choosing AquaVenture.

Check current boat types and availability before visiting.

05

Mini Golf

Best for: a dry-land break between water activities or a family with mixed confidence levels.

The course has nine holes.

06

Wider Lakes

Best for: walking, cycling, birdwatching and exploring without making the whole day about paid activities.

Start with the wider Cotswold Lakes leisure map.

Check before buying

AquaVenture Age, Height, Swimming and Adult Rules

AquaVenture is not a general-access playground. The official participant checklist sets clear requirements, so check every child before buying tickets.

🎂

Minimum age

6 years old.

📏

Minimum height

Over 110cm.

🏊

Swimming ability

Participants must swim 50 metres unaided and be confident in the water.

💪

Physical requirement

Participants need to be able to lift themselves from the water onto the inflatable.

👨‍👧

Ages 6–10

An adult aged 18+ must participate, with a maximum ratio of 1 adult to 3 children.

📝

Ages 11–15

A responsible adult aged 18+ must sign the disclaimer and remain onsite during the activity.

Do not buy first and check restrictions later. Age alone does not determine AquaVenture eligibility. Height, swimming confidence and physical ability also matter.
Check Current AquaVenture Rules
Open-water rules

Can You Swim at Cotswold Water Park?

Yes, but not in whichever lake looks inviting. The wider Cotswold Lakes visitor guidance tells visitors to swim only at lakes specifically operated for water activities.

At Cotswold Country Park & Beach, swimming takes place in the designated beach area. Read the signs and check the flag before entering.

🟨 Red + Yellow Flag

The venue states that conditions are suitable for swimming and a lifeguard is present and on duty.

🟥 Red Flag

No swimming. Conditions may be unsafe or lifeguards may not be present.

Why random lake swimming is a bad plan

The wider landscape includes former gravel workings and lakes used for different purposes. A lake being publicly visible does not mean swimming is permitted or supported there.

Practical rule: decide where you will swim before leaving home. If that site does not explicitly operate swimming, choose another authorised venue rather than entering the water.
Family decision board

Is Cotswold Water Park Good for Your Family?

👶 Toddler family

Prioritise beach time, grass space and playgrounds rather than building the day around AquaVenture.

Check: current swimming conditions and child supervision.

🧒 Ages 6–10

AquaVenture becomes possible only if the child also meets the height and swimming requirements.

Check: a participating adult is required.

🧑 Older children

AquaVenture, paddling and other activities can make a stronger activity-led day.

Check: individual restrictions and disclaimer rules.

😟 Nervous swimmer

Do not assume an inflatable attraction will build confidence. A simple supervised beach day may fit better.

Check: water conditions and designated boundaries.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mixed-age family

Use beach admission as the common base and add one activity only for eligible participants.

Check: who will supervise children not doing the activity.

🌿 No-swimming group

The wider Cotswold Lakes can still work well for walking, cycling, wildlife and picnics.

Check: the correct parking location for your chosen route.

Visit workflow

How to Book Without Making the Common Ticket Mistake

Choose the actual place

For beach swimming and AquaVenture, choose Cotswold Country Park & Beach rather than the generic wider-lakes destination.

Choose your date

Check whether the park is operating and whether admission remains available for that exact day.

Book park admission

Select the appropriate admission product for the way your group will arrive.

Add only the activities you want

Compare AquaVenture, SUP/kayak, boats, mini golf and other extras instead of assuming they are bundled into admission.

Check every participant

Confirm age, height, swimming, adult supervision and disclaimer requirements before paying.

Save the confirmation

Keep your booking details accessible on your phone and check current venue information again before setting off.

Fully booked means fully booked. The venue states that once parking and admission capacity is allocated, additional pay-on-the-gate entry is not available.
Pack vs buy

Food, Picnic, BBQ and Dog Rules

🥪

Picnics

Visitors can bring a summer picnic and use suitable beach, grass or seating areas.

🍕

Food onsite

The venue lists food options including Roma’s Pizzeria and the Ice Cream Hut. Midweek term-time availability can be more limited.

🔥

Personal BBQs

Portable and disposable BBQs and personal cooking equipment are prohibited.

🐕

Dogs

Dogs are welcome in permitted areas but are not allowed on the beach or in the water.

Groups wanting a BBQ should reserve one of the official BBQ areas instead of bringing cooking equipment. These areas have their own capacity and seasonal pricing.

Family money saver: bringing a picnic can keep the day flexible, especially when children want to return to the water rather than queue for food at the busiest lunchtime period.
What to pack

Cotswold Water Park Family Packing Checklist

👙
Swimwear Suitable for the activity you booked
🧺
Towels Pack enough for swimmers
☀️
Sun protection Useful for exposed beach and grass areas
🧥
Warm layer Open-water visitors can cool quickly afterwards
💧
Drinking water Especially useful on hot family days
📱
Booking confirmation Keep tickets easy to access
👕
Dry clothes Useful after lake activities
🥪
Picnic Allowed subject to current site rules
Get to the right entrance

Cotswold Water Park Address, Parking and Travel

🚗 Driving to the beach

Cotswold Country Park & Beach
Spratsgate Lane
Shorncote
Cirencester
GL7 6DF

Use GL7 6DF rather than a generic Cotswold Water Park location.

🚆 By train

The venue identifies Kemble as the nearest railway station and describes it as approximately a 15-minute drive away.

Plan the onward connection before travelling because the attraction is not beside the station.

🚶 Pedestrian arrival

The venue warns that it does not operate external parking outside the park.

If using pedestrian admission, being dropped off and collected is safer than assuming you can leave a car nearby.

Navigation tip: if your booking says Cotswold Country Park & Beach, your route should end at Spratsgate Lane. If your plan is a walk, wildlife reserve or another watersports operator, use that provider’s own address instead.
Beach destination

Cotswold Country Park & Beach Map

This map is for Cotswold Country Park & Beach. Other Cotswold Lakes activities may use completely different access points.

Wider destination

What Else Can You Do Around the 180 Cotswold Lakes?

The broader Cotswold Lakes area is much larger than the beach attraction. Official visitor information describes around 180 lakes spread over approximately 42 square miles.

There are more than 100km of public rights of way across the wider landscape, with routes beside lakes, canal towpaths, former railway lines and surrounding villages.

🚲 Cycling

The relatively flat landscape makes cycling a practical way to see more than one part of the lakes.

🥾 Walking

Choose anything from a short lakeside stroll to a longer countryside route.

🦆 Birdwatching

Nature reserves and wetland habitats make wildlife a genuine reason to visit outside peak beach weather.

🏄 Watersports

Separate providers operate different activities. Rules and booking systems vary by lake.

🎣 Fishing

Angling takes place at specific lakes rather than as a general right across the destination.

🗺️ Visitor Centre

First-time visitors can use the Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre for maps and local orientation.

First-time visitor shortcut

Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre

The Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre is on Spine Road, South Cerney, GL7 5FP, next to The Old Boathouse in the De Vere Hotel grounds. It has free parking and is a useful orientation point if you are exploring the wider lake district rather than going directly to the beach attraction.

Current visitor information says the centre operates from March to November and is staffed by volunteers from 10am to 3pm on weekends and daily during school holidays. Because volunteer availability can change, check before making a special journey solely for the centre.

Use it for: a Leisure Map, understanding where activities are located, choosing walking or cycling routes and avoiding the common mistake of treating all 180 lakes as one attraction.
Open Visitor Information
Avoid wasted journeys

7 Cotswold Water Park Mistakes to Avoid

1

Driving to the wrong lake

Use the exact venue or operator named on your booking.

2

Buying only AquaVenture

Park admission is also required for entry.

3

Checking age but not height

AquaVenture participants must also be over 110cm.

4

Ignoring swim ability

AquaVenture requires a 50m unaided swim ability.

5

Assuming any lake is swimmable

Only use designated swimming or water-activity venues.

6

Expecting gate tickets

When the park reaches capacity, extra gate admission is not available.

7

Bringing your own BBQ

Personal cooking equipment is prohibited; book an official BBQ area instead.

Weather strategy

What If the Weather Changes?

This is an outdoor lake destination, so the experience can change quickly with wind, temperature, rain and water conditions. A sunny forecast also tends to increase demand and can make popular dates sell out.

For swimming, the flag displayed at the beach matters more than an earlier weather forecast. A red flag means no swimming.

Before leaving home: recheck your booking, the official venue page and any activity messages. Do not assume that because general park admission is operating every individual activity will necessarily run unchanged.
Final check

10-Minute Pre-Travel Check

✓
Correct destination?
Cotswold Country Park & Beach or another lake?
✓
Admission booked?
Do not rely on buying entry after arrival.
✓
Activities booked?
Check each add-on separately.
✓
Child rules checked?
Age, height, swimming and adult ratio.
✓
Weather rechecked?
Outdoor conditions can affect the day.
✓
Correct postcode?
GL7 6DF for the paid beach attraction.
✓
Food plan?
Picnic or onsite food, but no personal BBQ.
✓
Dry clothes packed?
Useful after open-water activities.
People also ask

Cotswold Water Park FAQs

Is Cotswold Water Park one single water park?
No. The name refers to the wider Cotswold Lakes area with many separate lakes, businesses, nature sites and activity operators. For the main ticketed inland beach and AquaVenture experience, use Cotswold Country Park & Beach.
Do I need admission if I have an AquaVenture ticket?
Yes. The official AquaVenture information tells participants to book park admission before or at the same time as their activity.
How old do you need to be for AquaVenture?
Participants must be at least six years old and over 110cm. Other requirements include swimming 50 metres unaided and meeting the applicable adult-supervision rules.
How long is an AquaVenture session?
The published format is a 10-minute safety briefing followed by a 50-minute session.
Can you swim anywhere in Cotswold Water Park?
No. Only swim at places specifically operated for swimming or water activities. At Cotswold Country Park & Beach, follow the designated beach area, signs and flag system.
Can I bring my own paddleboard or kayak?
Cotswold Country Park & Beach states that personal paddleboards and kayaks cannot be used in its park. Hire equipment is available through its own SUP and kayak sessions when operating.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are welcome in permitted parts of Cotswold Country Park & Beach but cannot go onto the beach or into the water.
Can I bring a disposable BBQ?
No. Portable and disposable BBQs and other personal cooking equipment are prohibited. Book one of the venue’s designated BBQ areas if your group wants a BBQ.
What postcode should I use?
For Cotswold Country Park & Beach use GL7 6DF. Other Cotswold Lakes operators have different addresses, so do not use this postcode for every activity in the wider area.
What happens if Cotswold Country Park & Beach is fully booked?
The venue states that once its parking and admission allocation is full, no additional entry or pay-on-the-gate tickets are available. Booking ahead is especially useful for weekends, school holidays and good-weather dates.
Is there a Cotswold Water Park season pass?
Cotswold Country Park & Beach lists an Admission Season Pass at £120. It is issued per vehicle and is valid for one year, subject to the park’s seasonal operation and booking conditions.
Where is the Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre?
The Visitor Centre is on Spine Road, South Cerney, GL7 5FP, next to The Old Boathouse in the De Vere Hotel grounds. It is useful for wider Cotswold Lakes maps and orientation.
Bottom line

Plan the Lake First, Then Buy the Ticket

The biggest Cotswold Water Park planning mistake is treating the destination like one conventional waterpark. Choose the exact lake or attraction first.

For a family beach, designated swimming and AquaVenture day, use Cotswold Country Park & Beach and book admission before paid activities. For walking, cycling, nature or another watersports provider, start with the wider Cotswold Lakes map instead.

🎟️ Check Beach Admission 🌿 Explore the Wider Lakes

Information checked: 2 September 2026. Prices, activity availability, operating days, swimming conditions and promotional offers can change. Use the official venue for the final check before payment or travel.