Country Parks
Car Parks & Picnic Sites
With plenty of free parking available at various sites throughout the Cotswold Water Park, this is an ideal area for a stroll, visit a birdhide, set off on a family bike ride, or just enjoy the peaceful scenes.
Car parks and Picnic sites
- Neigh Bridge
- Clayhill Copse
- Bridge Car Park
- Lakeside Car Park
- Waterhay Car Park
- Gateway Centre Car Park
- Riverside Car Park
Neigh Bridge
Located on the edge of Somerford Keynes village, this small country park provides a great place for dog walking, picnicking and angling. Facilities include a large car park, children's play equipment, and a secluded lakeside walk.
Location: Off B4696, just after sign post to Somerford Keynes, in direction of Oaksey.
Height restriction
More details on Neigh Bridge
Clayhill Copse
A small car park on the Spine Road offers a surprise in the summer months with its delightful wild flower meadow, and picnic area. A network of footpaths can be accessed from Clayhill both north towards South Cerney and south towards Ashton Keynes.
Location: Off B4696, near Fridays Ham Lane turning to Ashton Keynes.
Height restriction
Bridge Car Park
Known locally as the 'arches' this 19th century bridge took the old Spine Road over the railway between Cricklade and Cirencester. The bridge has been extensively restored and from the top it is possible to get one of the few high vantage points over the nearby lakes. This is an excellent location from which to start cycle rides down the old railway track towards Cricklade, or around the lakes to Ashton Keynes. Alternatively you can walk or cycle up towards South Cerney and bearing right follow the old canal path down towards the Gateway Centre.
Location: Off B4696 Spine Road, between Station Road and Broadway Lane.
Height restriction
Lakeside Car Park
This large lakeside car park has recently been resurfaced and re-landscaped by the Cotswold Water Park Society as part of the 2008/9 Aggregates Levy funded project. There are plenty of parking spaces, disabled parking and good views over the lake. This lake is one of 10 in the area with special designation due to the lime rich clear waters, in which aquatic plants such as stoneworts thrive.
Lakeside is also the location of the Willow Biodome, a metal and living willow structure, one of several sculptures installed as part of the above project.
The fence installed at the lake edge is temporary, designed to keep the ducks and geese away from the banks, and to protect the numerous lake edge plants which are gradually becoming established. We do hope that visitors to the car park will understand that feeding bread to waterbirds is not only bad for the ducks, it can also attract rats to the area, and affect the quality of the water - thank you for your cooperation!
Location: On edge of South Cerney village, on Station Road, opposite the Watermark Club.
Height restriction
Gateway Centre Car Park
The largest of the free car parks around the Cotswold Water Park, this provides an excellent base from which to start your visit to the area. The Gateway Centre has information on all the local activities and attractions, plus leaflets on local accommodation and eating out. In addition, walks along the Thames and Severn Canal can take you to Cerney Wick, and even through to Cricklade. In the other direction, the path takes a pleasant route through to South Cerney village.
Please note these routes are not really suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
The now famous Coots Cafe can be found inside the Gateway Centre, serving freshly prepared hot drinks, cakes snacks and light meals - open 7 days a week from 9am - 5pm ( times may vary during the winter months).
Cotswold Outdoor shop, next to the Gateway centre sells everything for the outdoors, from camping equipment to walking gear.
Location: Just off A419 Swindon to Cirencester bypass, on B4696 Spine Road. First turning left on Spine Road
Height restriction: None
Waterhay Car Park
On the road out of Ashton Keynes towards Cricklade, there is a reason why this car park is called Waterhay - the area is very susceptible to severe flooding during the winter months. However, most of the year this makes a very accessible car park, with footpaths through to Ashton Keynes, Clayhill car park, and a long circular route around the lakes, including two bird hides.
Location: From Ashton Keynes, take road to Cricklade and Waterhay car park is situated on first bend before bridge.
Height restriction
Riverside Car Park, Lechlade
Set on the banks of the River Thames and managed by Cotswold Water Park Society, this car park is the main one in the Eastern section of the Cotswold Water Park. With footpaths along the Thames, boat hire, tea shop and easy access into Lechlade town centre this makes an ideal base for exploring the town and river.
For an update about Riverside car park see Riverside - the latest news
Location: On A417 from Lechlade to Swindon, just past traffic lights.
Height restriction
