Kingsbury Water Park Parking, Prices, Opening Times & Family Visit Planner
Kingsbury Water Park is not a swimming or waterslide park. It is a huge lakeside country park at Bodymoor Heath with 15 lakes, walking and cycling routes, wildlife, play areas, fishing and a miniature railway.
That distinction changes how you should plan the day. Most casual visitors do not need a general admission ticket, but parking costs money and several specialist activities have their own schedules, tickets or operating arrangements.
Quick Answer: What Does a Kingsbury Water Park Visit Actually Cost?
For an ordinary walking, wildlife or playground visit, parking is normally the main unavoidable onsite charge for drivers. The official park page currently lists the main entrance at £5 per car.
The reduced main-entrance rate is £3.50 after 4pm throughout the year and all day from 1 November through 28 February inclusive. Broomey Croft is also listed at £3.50.
🚗 Driving for the day
Main entrance car parking at the currently published rate.
🌇 Later visit
Published main-entrance rate after 4pm year-round.
❄️ Winter visit
Published main rate all day from 1 November to 28 February inclusive.
Prices checked: September 2026. Charges can change, so verify the official Warwickshire parking page before a future visit.
Do Not Buy a “Water Park Ticket” for the Wrong Experience
The name causes one of the biggest planning mistakes. Kingsbury Water Park is a country park built around lakes, not an aquatic leisure centre where families buy admission for flumes, pools and splash zones.
You can walk, cycle, watch wildlife, use play areas and plan selected activities, but ordinary visitors must not enter the lakes for recreational water use.
✓ Come here for
- Lakeside walks
- Family play areas
- Birdwatching and wildlife
- Picnics
- Cycling
- Miniature railway when operating
- Separately arranged fishing and club activities
✕ Do not expect
- Public swimming pools
- Waterslides
- Lazy river
- Public splash-pool admission
- Recreational lake swimming
- Casual paddleboarding or kayaking
Kingsbury Water Park Prices & Parking Costs for 2026
There is no single admission price that covers everything because Kingsbury operates differently from a conventional attraction. Separate the country-park visit from optional or specialist activities.
Main entrance
Current published car parking charge.
Main entrance reduced rate
After 4pm year-round and all day 1 November–28 February inclusive.
Broomey Croft
Current published car parking rate.
Coach parking
Published rate for both listed parking locations.
Annual permit
Kingsbury Water Park parking permit for the current 2026/27 permit period.
Disabled permit
Current published Kingsbury disabled parking permit rate.
When does the annual permit start to make sense?
This is only a simple parking comparison. If you regularly arrive during reduced-rate periods, your break-even point will be later.
Important: permit orders should be planned ahead. Warwickshire’s online permit service advises allowing at least 10 days for a permit to arrive. Until it arrives, visitors still need a valid day ticket when parking.
Check the current official parking and permit prices →Kingsbury Water Park Opening Times 2026
The gates do not use one year-round closing time. Summer gives visitors much longer days, while winter closing can be as early as 4pm.
Do not confuse park opening hours with the visitor centre, café, railway or activity hours. Individual facilities can operate on much shorter schedules.
Visitor Centre
The official schedule currently lists the Information Centre on weekends, bank holidays and during Warwickshire school holidays, with hours varying by season.
If your visit depends on speaking to staff, obtaining information or accessing a service through the centre, check its schedule rather than relying on the main gate time.
Build Your Kingsbury Day Around What You Actually Want to Do
A better visit starts by choosing the activity first. A family using the playground needs a different plan from an angler, birdwatcher or visitor hoping to ride the railway.
Confirm the seasonal gate times.
Choose the parking location that fits your activity.
Plan a realistic walk rather than trying to cover the whole park.
Check railway, fishing or event arrangements separately.
Return to the vehicle before the park closes.
Kingsbury Water Park With Children: Which Plan Works Best?
Kingsbury can work particularly well when families treat it as an outdoor park rather than a ride-based attraction. There are two play areas, plenty of open space and picnic seating, but not every attraction operates every day.
👶 Younger children
Start near the main car park and Lake View Play Area. This reduces unnecessary walking before children have used the main playground.
🧒 Active children
Combine a manageable lakeside walk with the play areas rather than making the whole day depend on a separately operated attraction.
🚂 Railway fans
Check Echills Wood Railway’s operating day before travelling. The railway is not simply guaranteed because the country park gates are open.
Two Play Areas, Two Different Stops
Lake View Play Area is beside the main car park and includes sections intended for different ages. The official park information also identifies a wheelchair swing; ask at the visitor centre about the key when required.
Far Leys has a wooden play area reached by a short walk or, when operating, a miniature train trip. This makes it useful as a second destination rather than spending the whole visit around the entrance courtyard.
Things to Do at Kingsbury Water Park
🥾 Walking
Use the surfaced routes for a simple lakeside visit and choose distance according to weather, mobility and how much time remains before closing.
🚲 Cycling
Cycling is one of the park’s listed activities. Electrically assisted cycles are permitted on cycle paths when they meet applicable government requirements.
🐦 Birdwatching
The network of lakes, wetland edges and vegetation makes wildlife watching one of the strongest reasons to visit without paying for an additional attraction.
🚂 Miniature railway
Echills Wood Railway operates a roughly 2 km route. Published running days include Sundays, bank holidays, special events and extra selected days during Warwickshire’s summer school holidays.
🎯 Orienteering
A permanent orienteering course is listed at the park, giving repeat visitors another way to explore beyond a standard lake walk.
🎣 Fishing
Kingsbury Fishery is a specialist activity with its own waters, tickets, permits and rules. Use the dedicated fishing guide rather than treating ordinary parking as a fishing ticket.
See our dedicated Kingsbury Water Park fishing prices, permits and map guide →
Echills Wood Railway: Check the Running Day First
The miniature railway is a genuine destination inside the park rather than decorative scenery. Warwickshire describes it as a 7¼-inch gauge railway with steam, diesel, electric locomotives and trams running over an approximately 2 km line.
Its published schedule includes Sundays, bank holidays and special events, with additional Wednesdays and Fridays during Warwickshire’s school summer holidays in July and August.
Best planning rule
If the railway is the main reason your child wants to visit, verify the railway’s own timetable before setting off. “Park open” and “train running” are two different checks.
Café, Picnic Benches & Food Planning
The Old Barn Coffee Shop is near the toilets and visitor centre. Warwickshire’s current park information lists hot and cold food, drinks, ice creams and coffee, with published hours of 10:30am–3:30pm.
Well-behaved dogs are listed as welcome at the coffee shop. Picnic benches are distributed around the park, with plenty of seating around the main courtyard near the parking and toilet facilities.
Short family visit
Parking → Lake View playground → short walk → café or picnic → home.
Longer family visit
Parking → lakeside route → Far Leys → railway if operating → picnic/café → return with closing-time buffer.
Accessibility: Plan the Route, Toilet Stop and Activity Separately
The official park information lists accessible paths and benches. Changing Places facilities are available at both the main entrance and Broomey Croft entrance, and visitors need a RADAR key to access them.
Independent detailed accessibility information from AccessAble also reports level access in relevant visitor areas and says motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue. Mobility scooters are reported as available to hire from the visitor centre.
♿ Paths
Accessible/surfaced routes are available, but route length still matters in such a large park.
🚻 Changing Places
Facilities are listed at the main entrance and Broomey Croft. Bring the required RADAR key.
🛝 Inclusive play
Lake View Play Area includes a wheelchair swing. Ask the visitor centre about access to its key.
Check the detailed Kingsbury Water Park accessibility guide →
The Most Important Kingsbury Water Park Safety Rule: Stay Out of the Water
The large lakes can make casual swimming or paddling look tempting, particularly in warm weather. However, Warwickshire County Council explicitly states that visitors must not enter the water at any time.
The prohibition includes kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and dinghies for ordinary public use. Do not use photos, old reviews or another visitor’s behaviour as evidence that recreational water entry is permitted.
🚫 Not permitted for general visitors
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Casual kayaking
- Casual canoeing
- Paddleboarding
- Dinghies
✓ Organised activity is different
Named clubs and specialist activities can operate under their own controlled arrangements. Their existence does not turn the lakes into public open-water recreation areas.
Dogs, Bikes, E-Scooters & Other Park Rules
Dogs are welcome in the wider country-park setting, and the café states that well-behaved dogs are welcome. Around wildlife and other visitors, follow current signs and the Countryside Code.
The park states that e-scooters, off-road quads, go-peds, mini-motos, hoverboards and Segways are not permitted. Mobility scooters are permitted, while compliant electrically assisted bicycles can use cycle paths.
Drones
Warwickshire does not authorise hobbyist drone flying in its parks and greenways. Commercial operations require landowner permission and the relevant aviation requirements.
Fishing Visitors Need a Different Cost Plan
Kingsbury Fishery now has its own dedicated information and ticket structure. Official information describes 12 fishing lakes covering more than 125 acres of water, plus access to a section of the River Tame where applicable.
Approved 2026/27 charges include standard adult day-ticket fishing at £8.25 on listed waters, a £6.80 concession tariff and £10.45 for Pine Pool. Fishing arrangements can include parking differently from an ordinary country-park visit, so anglers should not use the casual visitor calculation above.
Kingsbury Water Park Address, Postcode & Map
Destination: Kingsbury Water Park
Area: Bodymoor Heath, Warwickshire
Postcode: B76 0DY
Use the exact destination rather than assuming the word “Kingsbury” will take you to the correct entrance. If your activity specifies Broomey Croft or another meeting point, follow that activity’s instructions.
Which Entrance Should You Use?
Main entrance
This is the simplest choice for many first-time family visitors because the main visitor facilities and Lake View Play Area are concentrated around this side of the park.
Broomey Croft
This entrance can make more sense for specific activities or destinations. Do not choose it solely because the published parking rate is lower without checking where you actually need to be.
Best Time to Visit Kingsbury Water Park
There is no single “best” hour because the answer depends on the purpose of your trip. Summer gives the longest park hours, while a later arrival can reduce the main-entrance parking charge but leaves less time for walks and play.
For a full family day
Use the longer spring or summer opening window and arrive with enough time for both a route and the play areas.
For a short walk
A later visit can be efficient, but calculate your route against the gate closing time before setting off.
For railway visitors
Choose the day from the railway timetable first. Park opening hours alone do not confirm train operation.
What to Bring for a Family Day
- A payment card for the cashless parking machine.
- Comfortable footwear suitable for your planned route.
- Weather-appropriate clothing rather than swimwear for lake use.
- Drinks and family supplies appropriate to the length of your visit.
- A picnic if that forms part of your plan.
- Sun protection on exposed warm-weather days.
- A RADAR key if you need the Changing Places facilities.
- Any confirmation required for a separately booked event or activity.
- A screenshot or note of the day’s park closing time.
5 Mistakes That Can Turn an Easy Visit Into a Failed Trip
1. Bringing cash only
The official parking machines are card only.
2. Packing for swimming
The lakes are not available for recreational public swimming or paddling.
3. Assuming everything opens with the gates
Café, visitor centre, railway and activities can have different schedules.
4. Underestimating the park
With more than 600 acres, a “quick walk around everything” is not a realistic family plan.
5. Treating fishing as ordinary admission
Fishing has dedicated tickets, waters, permits and rules.
6. Forgetting closing time
Seasonal gate hours change substantially across the year, so plan the return leg of your route.
A Practical 3-Hour Family Itinerary
This is a planning example rather than an official route. Adjust it for weather, mobility, children’s energy levels and any separately operated attraction.
Park, toilets and orient yourself around the main entrance.
Use Lake View Play Area while children are fresh.
Choose a manageable lakeside walking route.
Picnic or café stop.
Short final activity and return to the vehicle.
Kingsbury vs a Conventional Water Park
Kingsbury Water Park
- Country park
- Large natural/artificial lake landscape
- Walking and cycling
- Wildlife
- Play areas
- Specialist fishing and clubs
- No public recreational water entry
Typical swimming waterpark
- Paid aquatic admission
- Swimming pools
- Flumes or slides
- Changing rooms for swimmers
- Ride restrictions
- Swimming supervision rules
- Water-based family sessions
If your goal is specifically swimming and slides, Kingsbury is the wrong type of attraction. If your goal is a spacious lakeside family day with walking, play, wildlife and optional activities, the name makes much more sense.
Official Links to Check Before Travelling
Warwickshire County Council – Kingsbury Water Park should be your final check for current park hours, facilities, safety notices and visitor information.
Warwickshire Country Parks – parking and permits is the better source when your question is specifically about current parking charges or annual permits.
Kingsbury Fishery should be used when the purpose of the trip is fishing rather than a general park visit.
Kingsbury Water Park FAQs
Can you swim at Kingsbury Water Park?
No. Warwickshire County Council states that visitors must not enter the water. This includes recreational swimming, paddling, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and dinghies.
Is Kingsbury Water Park free?
You do not buy a general swimming-waterpark admission ticket for an ordinary countryside visit. Drivers should budget for parking, while fishing, railway rides, ranger events and other activities may have separate charges.
How much is parking at Kingsbury Water Park?
The official 2026 information lists main entrance car parking at £5. The main entrance reduced rate is £3.50 after 4pm year-round and all day from 1 November to 28 February inclusive. Broomey Croft is listed at £3.50.
Can I pay cash for parking?
No. Warwickshire states that the parking ticket machines accept card payments and do not accept cash.
What time does Kingsbury Water Park close?
Closing time varies by month. It ranges from 4pm during November to January to 8pm during May through August under the currently published schedule.
Is there a playground?
Yes. There are two play areas. Lake View is near the main car park, while another wooden play area is at Far Leys.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. The Old Barn Coffee Shop is near the visitor centre and toilets. The current official information lists opening hours of 10:30am to 3:30pm.
Is Kingsbury Water Park wheelchair accessible?
The park lists accessible paths, Changing Places facilities at both main entrances and a wheelchair swing at Lake View Play Area. Specific routes and activity access should still be checked before travelling.
Does the miniature railway run every day?
No. Echills Wood Railway has its own operating schedule. Published running includes Sundays, bank holidays, special events and additional selected days during Warwickshire’s summer school holidays.
Can I paddleboard or kayak on the lakes?
Not as a casual public visitor. The council’s general rule prohibits visitors entering the water with paddle boards, kayaks, canoes and dinghies. Organised clubs or specialist activities operate under separate arrangements.
Is Kingsbury Water Park good for a family day out?
It can be a strong choice for families who want playgrounds, open space, lakeside walks, picnics, wildlife and potentially the miniature railway. It is not suitable if the family’s main objective is swimming or waterslides.
Final 60-Second Check Before You Leave Home
- Confirm today’s seasonal park closing time.
- Take a payment card for parking.
- Choose your entrance before starting navigation.
- Check the railway separately if it is important to your visit.
- Check any booked activity’s own arrival instructions.
- Do not plan swimming, paddling or casual lake watersports.
- Take a RADAR key if you need the Changing Places facilities.
- Check weather conditions for an outdoor visit.
- Allow enough time to return to your vehicle before the gates close.
Visitor information and prices were reviewed for 2026. Kingsbury Water Park activities, facility hours, parking charges and operational arrangements can change. Current Warwickshire County Council information and instructions displayed at the park take priority on the day of your visit.