Book the Right Cotswold Country Park & Beach Day Without Wasting Money
Cotswold Water Park Beach usually means Cotswold Country Park & Beach at Shorncote near Cirencester. It is an inland sandy beach day with lake swimming, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets and paid extras such as AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, boat hire, mini golf, climbing wall, pedal karts and BBQ hire.
The important rule is to book admission first, then add only the activity your group will actually use. This guide helps you compare official prices, arrival type, swimming rules, dog restrictions, BBQ rules, waivers, weather risks and common booking mistakes before you leave home.
Book official admission before travelling. Admission gives access to the beach, swimming area, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets, onsite shop and activity areas. It does not automatically include AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, boat hire, BBQ hire or other paid add-ons.
- Driving in? Book the number of vehicles entering.
- Walking, cycling or being dropped off? Book per person.
- Buying AquaVenture or an activity? You still need admission.
- If the official site says fully booked, do not expect pay-on-gate entry.
I Want To… Choose the Exact Action
Use the official button beside the task you need. This keeps the visit simple, prevents wrong-ticket mistakes and avoids relying on unverified voucher pages.
Book entry for beach and swimming
Use official admission for entry to the beach, swimming area, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets, shop and activity areas.
Book official admissionCheck low, mid and high season prices
Compare the official Gift Aid and non-Gift Aid prices before picking a date or vehicle ticket.
View official price tableAdd AquaVenture
Book admission as well as AquaVenture. Children, swimming ability, check-in and waiver rules apply.
Check AquaVenture rulesUse SUPs or kayaks
Use official hire. Personal paddleboards, kayaks and boats cannot be launched from the site.
Check SUPs & kayaksGet directions
Use postcode GL7 6DF. The official directions page places the park off the A419, just over 5 miles south of Cirencester.
Open official directionsAsk before paying
Use contact help for Blue Light discount, accessibility, group visits, activity rules, weather issues, voucher help or booking questions.
Contact the parkOfficial Links Order: Check These Before You Travel
Use official-source details first, then use official links only for booking, verification, rules, forms and final actions.
1. Admission page
Confirms what admission includes, seasonal prices, Gift Aid options, vehicle categories and the release fee warning for staying beyond posted closing time.
Open official admission2. Ticket shop
Use this to book the actual date, vehicle/person type and available activities.
Open official ticket shop3. FAQ page
Confirms admission requirement, cancellation, reschedule fee, dog rules, no own craft launch, BBQ restrictions, concessions and activity questions.
Open official FAQs4. Lake safety page
Confirms red buoy line, flags, cold-water awareness, child supervision and lifeguard guidance.
Open lake safetyOfficial Admission Prices: Low, Mid and High Season
The official admission page lists Gift Aid and non-Gift Aid prices. Book the correct arrival type: vehicles if entering by vehicle, or per person if walking, cycling or being dropped off.
| Admission type | Low season | Mid season | High season | Choose this when… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian / cyclist | £3.50 Gift Aid / £3.18 non-Gift Aid | £4.50 Gift Aid / £4.09 non-Gift Aid | £5.50 Gift Aid / £5.00 non-Gift Aid | You are walking, cycling or being dropped off. |
| Motorbike up to 2 persons | £5.00 / £4.55 | £8.00 / £7.27 | £9.00 / £8.18 | You are arriving by motorbike with up to 2 people. |
| Car up to 5 persons | £10.00 / £9.09 | £15.00 / £13.64 | £20.00 / £18.18 | Most families arrive by car and need one simple entry ticket. |
| MPV 6-8 persons | £15.00 / £13.64 | £20.00 / £18.18 | £25.00 / £22.73 | Larger family or shared travel group enters in one MPV. |
| Minibus | £30.00 / £27.27 | £40.00 / £36.36 | £50.00 / £45.45 | Group arrives by minibus; official table says office and gate booking. |
| Coach | £140 | £175 | £200 | Large group arrives by coach; official table says office only. |
Step-by-Step: Plan the Visit in the Right Order
This is the simplest order for families, groups and first-time visitors.
Decide whether this is a beach-only day, AquaVenture day, paddlesports day, dog walk day, BBQ day or group visit.
Do this before packing or driving. If the site is fully booked, the FAQ says no extra gate tickets are available.
Vehicle tickets are for vehicles entering. Pedestrian/cyclist admission is for people walking, cycling or being dropped off.
One paid activity plus beach time is usually enough for a family day.
AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, Pedal Karts and Climbing Wall may require waivers or rules checks.
Use the red buoy line, flags, cold-water guidance and lifeguard instructions.
Keep your booking, route, phone number and activity time available without relying on mobile signal.
Decision Cards: Best Plan by Visitor Type
Choose one main plan. Trying to do every activity often creates tired children and wasted money.
Simple beach day
Best for: toddlers, younger children, relaxed first-time visitors.
- Book admission only.
- Arrive early and set a beach base.
- Use playgrounds, lake walks and food outlets.
AquaVenture day
Best for: active children, teens, birthdays and groups.
- Book admission plus AquaVenture.
- Children aged 6-10 need adult accompaniment.
- Arrive 30 minutes before the session check-in.
SUP or kayak day
Best for: confident swimmers and calmer lake activity.
- From £12 per person for a 30-minute session.
- Minimum 11 years and over 110 cm for SUP/single kayak.
- Children 6-10 can use double kayak with an adult.
Dog-friendly visit
Best for: lake walks and café time, not beach swimming.
- Dogs must stay on lead.
- Dogs are not allowed on beach or in water.
- Do not leave dogs in vehicles during hot weather.
Activities, Extra Costs and Rules to Check
Use this table before adding extras. Activity tickets are useful only when they match your group’s age, ability, timing and energy level.
| Activity / extra | Official-source detail | Who it fits | Do before booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| AquaVenture | Admission is not included. Children aged 6-10 need adult accompaniment; ages 11-15 need adult disclaimer and adult onsite. | Active older children, teens and groups. | Check swim ability, waiver, check-in time and weather rules. |
| SUPs & kayaks | 30-minute session from £12 per person. Buoyancy aids provided. Personal craft cannot be used. | Confident swimmers and calm lake users. | Check minimum age, height, swim 50m requirement and disclaimer. |
| Boat hire | Official FAQ says swan pedalos, mini electric boats and row boats seat 4 adults; babies and toddlers can sit on laps. | Mixed-age families wanting a slower activity. | Check current weather, queue and availability. |
| BBQ hire | Disposable BBQs, fires and gas burners are prohibited. BBQ areas can be rented for the day. | Longer summer visits and groups. | Use official BBQ hire instead of packing disposable equipment. |
| Wetsuit hire | AquaVenture wetsuits are mandatory below 15°C; hire is subject to availability at £6.00 per wetsuit. | Cold-water days or mandatory AquaVenture sessions. | Check current water temperature notice and bring your own if preferred. |
| Season pass | Official FAQ lists an Admission Season Pass for £120, valid for one year, with winter closure note. | Repeat local visitors. | Calculate realistic visit count and seasonal closure timing. |
Discounts, Eligibility and Booking Rules
These are practical discount routes mentioned in official information. Use them only when your booking actually qualifies.
Blue Light discount
Official FAQ says Blue Light Card holders can contact the office team at info@cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com for a code. It can only be used for online park admission tickets.
AquaVenture group code
Official FAQ mentions code AQUA20 for group bookings of 20+ AquaVenture tickets, and says it works only with 20 or more AquaVenture tickets in the basket.
Change visit date
Official FAQ says online bookings can be edited through the account system and a £2 reschedule fee applies when changing the booking.
Refund protection
Official FAQ says tickets are non-refundable unless TicketPlan Refund Protection was purchased. It lists TicketPlan protection at £1.50 and notes TicketPlan itself is non-refundable.
Lake Safety: Red Buoy Line, Flags, Cold Water and Children
Cotswold Country Park & Beach is an inland lake beach. Treat it differently from a pool or shallow paddling area.
Swim only in approved beach areas
Official safety guidance says to swim only at the beach within the red buoy line and read signage before entering the water.
Use the flag system
Red flag means no swimming. Red and yellow flag means conditions are suitable and a lifeguard is present and on duty.
Actively supervise children
Official safety guidance asks parents and guardians to actively supervise children while they are in the water.
Acclimatise to the water
Open water can feel colder than expected. Enter slowly, stay with others and float on your back if tired or in trouble.
Food, Picnic, BBQ and Drink Rules
Food planning matters because swimming and beach days make children hungry quickly. The official food page lists food outlets and confirms picnic rules.
Food outlets
Official food options include Beach Shack, Dragonfly Café, Roma’s Pizzeria and Ice Cream Hut, with selected eateries open at certain times of year.
Picnic allowed
The official FAQ says you can bring your own food and drink for a picnic, but asks visitors not to bring glass bottles or containers.
No disposable BBQs
Disposable BBQs, fires and gas burners are prohibited onsite. Use official BBQ areas that can be rented for the day.
No alcohol before watersports
Official food guidance says no alcohol may be consumed prior to watersport activities.
Cotswold Water Park Beach Map, Address and Directions
Use Cotswold Country Park & Beach, Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF. Official directions say the park is off the A419, just over 5 miles south of Cirencester. Kemble is the nearest railway station and is approximately a 15-minute drive.
Arrival help
- Driving: use GL7 6DF and book the correct vehicle admission.
- Walking/cycling/dropped off: book per person and plan pickup.
- Train: use Kemble, then taxi or lift for the final journey.
- Busy days: arrive early for parking, toilets, beach base and activity check-in.
Contact Help Box: Use This Before a Special Booking
Use official contact if you need Blue Light discount support, group booking help, voucher help, accessibility information, weather guidance, activity eligibility, waiver questions or a late-session concern.
Official contact details
- Phone: 01285 868096
- Email for Blue Light / office support: info@cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com
- Official contact page: message the park
Phone / email script
Hello Cotswold Country Park & Beach team, I plan to visit on [date] with [adults], [children ages], and [vehicle type]. Can you confirm the right admission ticket, whether [AquaVenture / SUP / kayak / boat / BBQ] needs separate booking, and whether any waiver, discount, weather or dog rule applies?
Checklist Before Leaving Home
Booking
- Admission booked for correct date.
- Correct vehicle/person category chosen.
- Activity tickets added only if needed.
- Waivers completed where required.
Beach kit
- Swimwear and bright swim items for children.
- Towels plus dry clothes for the journey home.
- Sunscreen, hats and shade plan.
- Waterproof bag for wet clothes.
Food and money
- Picnic without glass bottles or containers.
- Extra drinking water.
- Card/contactless for food and activities.
- No disposable BBQs or gas burners.
Safety and travel
- Weather checked.
- Lake safety page read.
- Postcode GL7 6DF saved.
- Family meeting point agreed.
Common Mistakes That Create a Failed Visit
Arriving without admission
Admission controls site entry. If fully booked online, do not assume gate entry will be available.
Buying activity but not admission
AquaVenture and other activities still require admission alongside the activity ticket.
Bringing your own SUP or kayak
Official FAQ says personal craft such as SUPs, kayaks and boats cannot be launched from the site.
Bringing a dog for beach swimming
Dogs are welcome on leads but are not allowed on the beach or in the water.
Ignoring late-exit rules
The official admission page warns guests remaining beyond posted closing times may be subject to a £100 release fee.
Overbooking the day
Beach time plus one activity is usually better than beach, AquaVenture, boats, mini golf and sightseeing all in one day.
FAQs About Cotswold Water Park Beach
What is Cotswold Water Park Beach officially called?
The main attraction visitors usually mean is Cotswold Country Park & Beach at Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF.
Do I need admission before visiting?
Yes. The official FAQ says visitors must have purchased admission for entry, and online advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
What does admission include?
Admission includes access to the beach, swimming area, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets, onsite shop and activity areas. Paid activities and BBQ hire should be booked separately where needed.
Is AquaVenture included with admission?
No. AquaVenture tickets do not include admission. You need an admission ticket as well as AquaVenture tickets.
Can I pay on the gate if the website says fully booked?
No. The official FAQ says once the website shows fully booked, all available parking and admission slots are allocated and no additional entry or pay-on-gate tickets are available.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times. They are not allowed on the beach or in the water. They are allowed in the café and on boats within reason.
Can I bring my own paddleboard, kayak or boat?
No. The official FAQ says visitors cannot launch their own craft from the site, including SUPs, kayaks and boats.
Can I bring a picnic or BBQ?
You can bring food and drink for a picnic, but avoid glass bottles or containers. Disposable BBQs, fires and gas burners are prohibited; use official BBQ hire if needed.
What are the main swimming safety rules?
Swim only at the beach within the red buoy line, read signage, follow flags, acclimatise to the water temperature, swim with others and actively supervise children.
What happens if I need to change my visit date?
The official FAQ says online bookings can be edited through the account system and a £2 reschedule fee applies when changing the booking.
Final Booking Rule
Book admission first, choose the correct arrival category, add only useful activities, complete waivers, check lake safety, confirm dog/BBQ/craft rules, save tickets offline and arrive early on sunny or school-holiday dates.