Cotswold Water Park Society

Countryside Access

Waterhay

Waterhay car park and picnic site is designed as a key access point for horse-riders who can park horse boxes in the car park, and ride the bridleways that begin at the site.
The site is also well-used by ornithologists, who use it to access the bird hides situated along the Thames Path. Waterhay is on the Thames Path, and is also the starting point for a series of good walks through to Cleveland Lakes, Cerney Wick and North Meadow in Cricklade. As this car park sits in the Thames flood plain, the site can be under water during periods of heavy rain.
OS ref SU 060933

Clayhill

Clayhill car park, picnic site and wildflower meadow is a quiet haven next to the Spine Road. It provides excellent access to a network of footpaths north and south. The Society would like to improve the picnic facilities here - when we?ve worked out how to stop people stealing the benches and notice board!

Red Bridge

Improving the red bridge next to the Spine Road was a top priority for 2005 with the clearing of forty years undergrowth! The car park was resurfaced to create safe access to the only panoramic view in the Park. Funds were raised for a notice board and interpretation panel, but sadly these were very quickly vandalised and destroyed. We are currently looking at ways of raising funds to replace these facilities.
This is a great site to cycle from as it provides access to lovely lakeside paths, and the old railway line, although there are height restrictions at the entrance to the car park.
OS ref SU 063963

Lakeside

Improvements to Lakeside , ie major resurfacing, landscaping, picnic benches and Biodome have been made possible due to an Aggregates Levy Sustainability Grant from Natural England. Locals will notice the lack of mud and pot holes, and visitors will be able to use this location as a starting point for some excellent walks.
For further details of the work etc please take a look at the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund section , under Current Projects.

Neighbridge

One of the largest and most popular car parks, at the western edge of the Water Park, and ideally siutated as a base for walks through Somerford Keynes, down to Swillbrook Lakes Nature Reserve, and along the Thames Path. On site there is also a children's play area. In the past, the Society provided toilet facilities but due to persistent vandalism, there are no longer the funds to keep replacing loo seats, doors etc.
OS ref SU 018947

To find where all these car parks are located throughout the Cotswold Water Park please refer to the map.