Visitor Information
Getting Here
The Western section of the Cotswold Water Park lies to the west of the A419 between Swindon and Cirencester, centred around the B4696 Spine Road. It encompasses the picturesque villages of South Cerney, Cerney Wick, Somerford Keynes, Poole Keynes, and Ashton Keynes, along with the vibrant Saxon town of Cricklade.
From M4 take Junction 15, follow A419 direction Swindon, Cirencester.
From M5 take junction 11a, follow A417 direction Cirencester.
The Eastern section of the Cotswold Water Park lies to the east of the A419, and contains the delightful villages of Down Ampney, Marston Meysey, Kempsford, Whelford, and the thriving towns of Fairford and Lechlade on Thames.
From Cirencester – A417 direction Fairford, Lechlade
From Oxford – A420 to Faringdon, then A417 to Lechlade
From Swindon – A419 direction Cirencester, then A361 to Lechlade.
By Public transport
The nearest railway station to the Cotswold Water Park is Kemble. Connections can be made to Kemble via Swindon or Cheltenham. Contact National Rail enquiries on 08457 484950 / website www.nationalrail.co.uk or Trainline www.thetrainline.com/
The nearest bus service to the Western Water Park is served by Stagecoach No 51 bus which runs between Swindon, Cirencester and Cheltenham. It stops outside the Gateway Centre and the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel.
For more details and timetables for local bus services contact Traveline on 0871 2002233 or see website www.traveline.info
Gateway Information Centre
The first stop for many visitors is the fabulous Gateway Information Centre, a green oak barn construction with stunning views across a lake. The Gateway Centre is open 7 days a week from 9am – 5pm, with easy access from the main road, and plenty of free parking.
Location: Spine Road, South Cerney GL7 5TL
With an excellent café run by local company Relish, local tourist information, toilets and parking, and Cotswold Outdoor, its a great stopping off point or meeting place.
At weekends and during school holidays the information desk is usually manned by volunteers between 10am and 3pm and they will be happy to help you.
Maps
With more than 150 lakes set in over 40 square miles, a map of the Cotswold Water Park can come in very handy.
The Leisure Map and Walks Guide are available from the Gateway Information Centre, or from many of the accommodation and activity providers based in the Cotswold Water Park.
To download a PDF map of the area, click the link below – it is A2 full colour, so you will need to piece it together!
2020 Leisure Map (PDF 5mb) – information and contact details for the main activity and accommodation providers available in the Water Park, along with the main walking and cycle routes in the area.
Walks Guide (PDF 6mb) – a map of the Cotswold Water Park with directions for details of six circular walks and a cycle ride, varying in length from 1km – 18km. For more information and to download the individual walks and routes, go to the Walking page.
Running Routes Map (PDF 3mb) – a map showing some suggested circular running routes starting at the Gateway Information Centre and varying in length from 2 to 12 miles. For more information on the Running Routes Map go to the Walking page.
Cotswold Lakes Trust Membership
A Cotswold Water Park annual membership costs from just £18 per year and includes:
- Free parking in all Cotswold Lakes Trust car parks
- Discounts at Cotswold Lakes Trust businesses
- Priority booking and discounts on all Cotswold Lakes Trust events
- Membership newsletter
- Voting rights at the Cotswold Lakes Trust AGM