Book the Right Cirencester Lakes Day Before You Travel
Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester is not one simple gated theme park. Searchers usually need one of three things: the wider Cotswold Lakes area, Cotswold Country Park & Beach at GL7 6DF, or a separate activity provider such as Lake 86.
This guide turns the official booking rules into a practical plan: choose the right venue, buy admission first, add activities, complete waivers, check prices, avoid fully-booked days, and arrive with the correct map.
If you want the beach, swimming lagoon, AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, boat hire, mini golf, BBQ hire or cabanas, use Cotswold Country Park & Beach. The official ticket flow and FAQ make the order clear: admission is required for entry and must sit alongside any activity ticket.
- Use Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF for Cotswold Country Park & Beach.
- Book online in advance because once official capacity is full, no extra pay-on-the-gate entry is offered.
- For wider walking, cycling, birdwatching and general lake exploring, use Cotswold Lakes visitor information instead.
I Want To… Pick the Exact Action
Use the official action after you understand what it does. This prevents buying a water activity without entry, using the wrong postcode, or arriving when the park is already full.
Book entry
For the beach site, admission is the base ticket. Activities do not replace admission.
Book official admissionCheck prices
Admission changes by low, mid and high season, plus Gift Aid / non Gift Aid options.
View official admission pricesComplete waiver
Some paid activities require a waiver before arrival, including AquaVenture and SUP/kayak activities.
Open booking and waiver areaUse the correct map
Use GL7 6DF for Country Park & Beach; do not use a general “Cotswold Water Park” pin.
Open official directionsCotswold Water Park Cirencester: Choose the Right Place First
Top SERP pages often answer “tickets” quickly, but the real user problem is choosing the correct venue before buying anything.
| What you want | Correct place | What to do | Do not do this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach, swimming lagoon, playgrounds, picnic day | Cotswold Country Park & Beach | Book admission for your date and arrival type. | Do not arrive without admission on a fully-booked day. |
| AquaVenture inflatable water course | Cotswold Country Park & Beach activity booking | Buy admission, add AquaVenture, complete waiver, arrive 30 minutes early. | Do not assume AquaVenture includes admission. |
| SUPs, kayaks or boat hire at the beach site | Country Park & Beach activities | Check age rules, swim ability, admission and waiver requirements. | Do not bring your own craft to launch there. |
| Walking, cycling, birdwatching and visitor centre | Cotswold Lakes visitor information | Use the visitor centre, maps, guides and activity provider list. | Do not assume every lake is safe for swimming. |
| Lake 86 paddleboarding or open-water swimming | CWP Hire / Lake 86 | Use the Lake 86 booking and directions page. | Do not navigate to GL7 6DF if your booking is at Lake 86. |
Official Source Audit: Details That Affect Your Booking
These are the source-backed details most likely to save a wasted trip. Use them before clicking the final booking button.
Admission covers entry, not everything
Admission gives access to the beach, swimming area, playgrounds, lake walks, food outlets, onsite shop and activity areas. Activities and BBQ hire cost extra.
Verify admission detailsFully booked means no gate entry
If the official website shows the park is full, the FAQ says all parking and admission slots are allocated and extra pay-on-the-gate entry is not available.
Verify fully-booked policyTicketPlan / PDF check matters
The official FAQ and terms reference TicketPlan Refund Protection and a linked Refund Promise PDF. Open that PDF during checkout before paying for protection.
Verify ticket terms2026 Admission Prices: Low, Mid and High Season
Use this table to estimate your base entry cost. It does not include AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, boats, mini golf, BBQ hire, cabanas or other paid extras.
| Admission type | Low season | Mid season | High season | Micro-help decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian / cyclist | £3.50 Gift Aid / £3.18 non Gift Aid | £4.50 / £4.09 | £5.50 / £5.00 | Use only if walking, cycling or being dropped off. There is no external parking outside the park. |
| Motorbike up to 2 persons | £5.00 / £4.55 | £8.00 / £7.27 | £9.00 / £8.18 | Check the ticket covers your party size before adding activities. |
| Car up to 5 persons | £10.00 / £9.09 | £15.00 / £13.64 | £20.00 / £18.18 | Usually the main family entry ticket to compare first. |
| MPV 6-8 persons | £15.00 / £13.64 | £20.00 / £18.18 | £25.00 / £22.73 | Useful for larger families; add paid activities separately. |
| Minibus | £30.00 / £27.27 | £40.00 / £36.36 | £50.00 / £45.45 | Official table says bookable via office and gate; call ahead for groups. |
| Coach | £140 | £175 | £200 | Bookable via office only. Best for schools, clubs and organised groups. |
Step-by-Step Booking Order for a Low-Stress Visit
This order fixes the biggest SERP weakness: many pages list prices but do not show the real booking sequence.
Country Park & Beach for the paid beach and activity day. Cotswold Lakes visitor pages for wider walking, cycling and activity providers. Lake 86 for CWP Hire sessions.
Admission price and availability depend on the season and date. Weekends, school holidays and hot-weather days can sell out.
The official booking logic requires admission first, then activities become available.
AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, boats, BBQ hire, cabanas and mini golf are different add-ons with different rules.
Check age, height, swim ability, adult ratio, jewellery, footwear, weather and waiver rules before leaving home.
Phone signal and battery can fail. Save QR/ticket emails and directions before travelling.
AquaVenture Rules: Age, Height, Swim Ability and Arrival Time
AquaVenture is the section where many families get caught out. Check every rule before promising it to a child.
Price and time
Official AquaVenture details list a 10-minute safety brief and 50-minute session, from £16 per person.
Age and height
Minimum age is 6 years and participants must be over 110 cm.
Swim rule
Participants must swim 50 metres unaided, be confident in the water, and be able to lift themselves out of the water.
Check-in
The FAQ says to check in 30 minutes before the session start time so there is time for wetsuit, buoyancy aid and briefing.
| Participant | Rule | Parent decision |
|---|---|---|
| Age 6-10 | Adult 18+ must accompany them on AquaVenture; official ratio is 3 children to 1 adult. | Book adult participation, not just child tickets. |
| Age 11-15 | Adult must sign disclaimer and remain onsite during the session. | Do not leave the park during the session. |
| Pregnant visitor | Official FAQ strongly advises not participating if pregnant. | Choose a non-water activity or spectator plan instead. |
| Anyone with jewellery / hard shoes | Jewellery must be removed; trainers/hard-soled shoes are not allowed. | Remove jewellery before arriving at check-in. |
Vouchers, Season Pass, Blue Light Discount and Group Codes
Use verified routes only. Random coupon pages often miss the exact basket rule, date availability or admission requirement.
| Saving route | Official detail | Best for | Before you buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gift vouchers | £10, £15, £25 and £50 vouchers; valid for one year and redeemable online for admission and activities. | Birthday or flexible future visit. | Check how the recipient redeems the voucher online. |
| AquaVenture voucher | £65 for 1 car admission, 4 AquaVenture tickets and 4 wetsuit hires, subject to availability. | Family of four planning AquaVenture. | Check session availability for the date first. |
| Season Pass | £120 per vehicle, valid for one year from purchase, but park closes during winter months. | Repeat local visitors. | Season pass still requires pre-booked admission and does not guarantee entry on fully booked days. |
| Blue Light Discount | FAQ says valid Blue Light Card holders can contact the office for a park-admission code. | Eligible Blue Light Card holders. | Email the office with card details before booking. |
| AquaVenture group code | FAQ lists AQUA20 for 20+ AquaVenture tickets in the basket. | Clubs, birthdays and larger groups. | Make sure 20+ AquaVenture tickets are in the basket. |
Refunds, Refund Protection PDF and Date Changes
This section is important because it affects real money after checkout. Do not skip it.
Tickets are generally non-refundable
The official FAQ and terms say tickets are non-refundable unless TicketPlan Refund Protection has been purchased, or the park cancels/postpones due to serious weather or other issues.
Open the TicketPlan PDF at checkout
The official FAQ/terms reference the “AST – Refund Promise” PDF. Read it before adding protection because TicketPlan is optional and is not described as insurance.
Date changes cost extra
The FAQ says you can edit your online booking through your account, with a £2 reschedule fee, then receive updated tickets by email.
Map, Postcode and Directions from Cirencester
For Cotswold Country Park & Beach, use Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF. The official directions page says the site is off the A419, just over 5 miles south of Cirencester.
Route help
- By car: use postcode GL7 6DF.
- From the north: M5 Junction 11a, then A417/A419 toward Cirencester.
- From the south: M4 Junction 15, then A419 toward Swindon and Cirencester.
- By rail: nearest railway station is Kemble, about a 15-minute drive.
- Phone: 01285 868096, listed Mon-Sun 9:00am-5:00pm.
Facilities, Food, Dogs, BBQs, Lockers and Water Safety
These micro details make the difference between a smooth day and a failed visit.
Picnic food is allowed
You can bring food and drink for a picnic, but glass bottles and glass containers are not allowed. Use bins and take rubbish home where needed.
Disposable BBQs are not allowed
Disposable BBQs, fires and gas burners are prohibited. BBQ areas can be rented for the day.
Dogs have restrictions
Dogs are welcome on leads but not on the beach or in the water. They are allowed elsewhere, including boats within reason and in the café.
Lockers are small
AquaVenture has small keyed lockers for valuables such as keys, wallets and phones. Do not bring unnecessary valuables.
Toilets and changing
Toilets are open during business hours. AquaVenture changing rooms are basic, and the FAQ says there are no showers onsite.
Swim only in approved areas
Swim from the approved beach area to the buoy line only. The site is not an open-water swimming venue.
Wider Cotswold Lakes Visitor Info: 180 Lakes, Maps and Safety
If your goal is not the paid beach attraction, use the wider Cotswold Lakes visitor information. It describes 180 lakes over 42 square miles, with walking, cycling, birdwatching, picnic sites, watersports and land activities.
Visitor Centre
The Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre is next to The Old Boathouse in the De Vere Hotel grounds, with easy main-road access and free parking.
Open visitor informationActivities beyond the beach
The wider area lists cycling, walking, birdwatching, fishing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, archery, horse riding and more.
Open things to doDo not swim anywhere
Cotswold Lakes visitor guidance says to swim only in lakes specifically operated for water activities because inviting-looking lakes can be dangerous.
Read visitor safety guidanceChecklist Before Leaving Home
Tickets
- Admission booked.
- Activity added if needed.
- Voucher, pass or discount code applied correctly.
- Ticket QR/email saved offline.
Rules
- Waiver completed.
- Age, height and swim ability checked.
- AquaVenture check-in time noted.
- No alcohol before watersports.
Bag
- Swimwear, towels and dry clothes.
- Sun cream and water bottle.
- No glass containers.
- No disposable BBQ.
Travel
- Use GL7 6DF for beach site.
- Use Lake 86 directions if booked there.
- Drop-off/pickup arranged if walking in.
- Traffic buffer added for AquaVenture.
Common Mistakes That Cause Failed Visits
Buying activity but not admission
Admission is required alongside activities. Book entry first.
Arriving when the website says full
Fully booked means no additional gate entry once capacity is allocated.
Missing AquaVenture check-in
Arrive 30 minutes before your AquaVenture session to check in and receive safety briefing.
Using the wrong postcode
GL7 6DF is for Country Park & Beach, not every Cotswold Lakes activity provider.
Trying to launch your own craft
Personal SUPs, kayaks and boats cannot be launched from the Country Park & Beach site.
Assuming a season pass guarantees entry
Season pass holders still need pre-booked admission, and fully-booked days can block entry without it.
Contact Help Box: Ask Before Booking the Wrong Ticket
Use this if you are unsure about Blue Light Discount, group discounts, waivers, rescheduling, TicketPlan, accessibility, season pass use, child supervision, weather or activity suitability.
Official contact details
- Phone: 01285 868096
- Email: info@cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com
- Contact page: Message the park
Phone / email script
Hello, I plan to visit on [date]. We are [number] people arriving by [car / foot / bike], and we want [admission / AquaVenture / SUP / kayak / boat / voucher / season pass]. Can you confirm the correct booking order, waiver requirement, arrival time, and whether our group meets the age, height and swim rules?
Verified Internal Links for Better Planning
These are live UKWaterPark.org pages verified from the site index/search results. Use them only when they match the reader’s next question.
General Cotswold ticket guide
Use this for a broader ticket, price and AquaVenture overview.
Cotswold Water Park Tickets, Prices & AquaVentureCotswolds map and review guide
Use this for map, family rating and photo-style search intent.
Cotswolds Water Park Tickets, Prices & MapLake 86 guide
Use this if the visitor needs CWP Hire / Lake 86 rather than Country Park & Beach.
Lake 86 Cotswold Water Park Day Trip GuideBeach-specific guide
Use this when the search is specifically about the inland beach and family day out.
Cotswold Beach Water Park Family Day OutMisspelling guide
Useful for visitors who search “Cotwold Water Park”.
Cotwold Water Park Online Booking GuideEditorial source policy
Show readers how UKWaterPark.org verifies official venue facts.
Sources & MethodologyFAQs About Cotswold Water Park Cirencester
Is Cotswold Water Park Cirencester one single water park?
No. It can mean the wider Cotswold Lakes area, the paid Cotswold Country Park & Beach attraction, or a specific activity provider such as Lake 86. For the beach and AquaVenture route, use Cotswold Country Park & Beach at GL7 6DF.
What is the postcode for Cotswold Country Park & Beach?
The official address is Cotswold Country Park & Beach, Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF.
Do I need admission before booking activities?
Yes. Admission is required for park entry and must be purchased alongside any activity such as AquaVenture, SUPs, kayaks, boats, mini golf, BBQ hire or cabanas.
How much is car admission in 2026?
The official 2026 car admission for up to 5 persons is listed as £10 low season, £15 mid season and £20 high season for Gift Aid pricing, with non Gift Aid alternatives also shown.
Can I enter if the official website says fully booked?
No. The official FAQ says when the website shows fully booked, all available parking and admission slots have been allocated and no extra pay-on-the-gate entry is available.
Is AquaVenture included with admission?
No. AquaVenture tickets do not include admission. You need admission as well as AquaVenture tickets, and both should be booked in advance.
What are the AquaVenture age, height and swim rules?
Participants must be at least 6 years old, over 110 cm, able to swim 50 metres unaided with a buoyancy aid, confident in the water and able to lift themselves out of the water. Children aged 6-10 need an adult on AquaVenture.
Can I change my visit date after booking?
Yes. The official FAQ says you can edit an online booking through your account, with a £2 reschedule fee, and new tickets are emailed after the change.
Are tickets refundable?
The official FAQ and terms say tickets are generally non-refundable unless TicketPlan Refund Protection has been purchased or the park cancels/postpones due to serious weather or other issues. Read the official TicketPlan/PDF information at checkout before paying for protection.
Can I bring food and drink?
Yes, picnic food and drink are allowed, but glass bottles and glass containers are not allowed. Disposable BBQs, fires and gas burners are prohibited.
Can I launch my own paddleboard or kayak?
No. The official FAQ says personal craft, including SUPs, kayaks and boats, cannot be launched from the Cotswold Country Park & Beach site.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are welcome on leads, but they are not allowed on the beach or in the water. They may be allowed elsewhere, including boats within reason and in the café.
Where should visitors swim?
Visitors should swim only from the approved beach area to the buoy line. The park is not an open-water swimming site, and swimming is restricted to the beach swimming area.
Final Booking Rule
For the paid Cirencester family water day, use this order: choose Cotswold Country Park & Beach → book admission → add activity → complete waiver → check rules → save tickets → use GL7 6DF. For wider walking, cycling, visitor centre and nature planning, use Cotswold Lakes visitor information instead.