The Cotswold Water Park is one of the most beautiful spots in the Cotswolds for enjoying the outdoors. With over 170 lakes spread across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and West Oxfordshire, it’s a paradise for families, walkers, and nature lovers.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or just a few hours, there are endless things to do at the Cotswold Water Park, from scenic walks and wildlife spotting to water sports and family-friendly adventures.
We visited on a large family holiday with three generations in tow and were surprised at just how much there is to explore. From lakeside trails and beaches to treasure hunts and wildlife, the park offers a variety of family activities at the Cotswold Water Park suitable for all ages.
In this travel guide, we’ll share the best things to see and do in the Cotswold Water Park, accommodation, and travel tips to help plan your own break.
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What is the Cotswold Water Park?
The Cotswold Water Park is the largest marl lake system in the UK, covering 42 square miles and more than 180 lakes. Its focus is on wildlife conservation, and the area is home to over 20 000 water birds across 40 different species. It’s a haven for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and families looking for fun activities in the Cotswold Water Park.
How to get to the Cotswold Water Park
The park is easily accessible from the M4 or M5, making it simple to reach from anywhere in South-East England. If you’re meeting friends or family, the Neigh Bridge Country Park on Spine Road West is a convenient starting point. There’s free parking, a picnic area, and a small play area for younger kids.
We met the family here and did a walk around the Swillbrook Lakes Nature Reserve, before checking into our accommodation at the Lower Mill Estate.
Family accommodation in the Cotswold Water Park
With 14 villages spread across the park, there’s a wide range of accommodation in the Cotswolds Water Park, from campsites and self-catering cottages to luxury lakeside hotels, such as the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel .
We stayed at the Lower Mill Estate in Somerford Keynes, a well-equipped town house, set over three levels, panoramic lake views and room for three families.
Lower Mill Estate: family-friendly accommodation & activities
The Lower Mill Estate is set in a 500-acre nature reserve and combines eco-friendly accommodation with family facilities.
The highlights include:
- Spa and swimming pools
- Lakeside walking paths and woodland
- Tennis courts, volleyball courts, and a playground
- Activity hub for water sports
It’s a perfect base for exploring the Cotswold Water Park and enjoying family activities on and off the water. We used the swimming pools every day after our days out, so it was an excellent facility.
Top things to do at the Cotswold Water Park
Visit the Gateway Information Centre
If you haven’t already planned your itinerary, your first stop should be the Gateway Information Centre.
Open daily from 9am to 5pm, the centre has information on all the things to do at the Cotswold Water Park, plus free parking, toilets and a café.
Water sports & activities
The park is perfect for messing about on the water. We hired a canoe and paddle boards on Somerford Lagoon and spent an afternoon exploring the lakes. Lower Mill also has a spa with heated pool, ideal for entertaining kids.
Beaches and lakes for families
On sunny days, visit Cotswold Country Park & Beach, an inland beach and swimming area on South Lake. There are plenty of things for children to do here. Younger children can paddle, build sandcastles, or hire pedalos. Older kids will enjoy the high ropes course at Vertigo Adventures or the inflatable water park Aquaventure. This is one of the best places to go in Cotswold Water Park for a full day of outdoor fun.
Family treasure hunt at Lower Mill Estate
The Miss Mouse Trail at Lower Mill Estate is a must for kids. Children collect a map, follow clues, and solve riddles to unlock the treasure chests.
The treasure trail passes a dipping pond, a cow field, and even a tree house, making it one of the most enjoyable family activities at Cotswold Water Park.
Cycling routes at the Cotswold Water Park
The Cotswold Water Park is mostly flat, making it ideal for family cycling. There are several circular cycle routes which follow quiet country lanes, or you can follow the National Cycle Route 45 from Salisbury to Cirencester.
Bikes are available to hire from Lower Mill or Bainton Bikes. You can hire bikes for just one hour or the whole day, depending on how energetic you are feeling.
Walks & hikes around the lakes
There are miles of walks around the Cotswold Water Park.
On arrival, we tried the Rivers, brooks & lakes walk in the Swillbrook Lakes Nature Reserve. This took us around the Swillbrook Lakes, Howells Mere and Bittern Reeds, stopping for refreshments at the Ballihoo Club on the Lower Mill Estate, before checking in.
However, our favourite was the Thames Path Walk, which took us round several lakes and along the River Thames to the pretty village of Ashton Keynes, where we stopped for lunch at the White Hart Inn. It was a very rainy day, but we still really enjoyed the scenery.
Whether you prefer short walks or longer hikes, there’s a route for everyone. Click here for six of the most popular circular walks in the Cotswold Water Park.
If your kids aren’t keen on hiking, here are some tips to help.
Fishing in the lakes
With over 70 lakes, the park is a haven for anglers. You can buy day tickets for course and fly fishing at the angling clubs, including Ashton Keynes Angling Club and South Cerney Angling Club. Even if you’re just pond dipping like us, it’s a great way for kids to connect with nature.
Day trips from the Cotswold Water Park
The Cotswold Wildlife Park
Just a short drive from the water park, the Cotswold Wildlife Park, in Burford is definitely worth a visit. We went on the last day on our way home.
Home to over 260 animals across 160 acres, it features a children’s farmyard, an adventure playground, miniature train, and a rope course. For adults, one of the highlights was the walled garden, with its aviaries, tropical house and spectacular exotic plants and flowers. We loved the Cotswold Wildlife Park. It’s one of the best family-friendly attractions near the Cotswold Water Park and a great end to our holiday.
A visit to Bibury
Just 12 minutes’ drive from the Cotswold Water Park is the pretty village of Bibury. Once described as the “most beautiful village in England”, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Cotswolds.
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4 comments
This place looks brilliant! My teens would love all the watersports. Thanks for the heads up – would be a great getaway in the summer! #culturedkids
It’s definitely a good place for outdoor fun.
This place is on my doorstep but I still haven’t visited! I must take the teen out for an adventure day here sometime… #CulturedKids
Yes, there’s plenty of watersports activities to keep teenagers entertained
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