Getting Here
The Cotswold Water Park is much much more than ‘a park’ ! It is an area of 42 square miles and 180 lakes, with many different leisure providers, and many different places to stay. Since 1967, when the whole area was designated as ‘the Cotswold Water Park’, it has grown to become a major tourist destination in its own right – more than 1,000,000 visitors come here every year. Within the area there are 14 villages and towns where more than 20,000 live and work.
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
For more information – call in to the Gateway Visitor Information Centre ( GL7 5TL) to pick up a free Leisure Map of the area, or you can download a PDF version below.
The Leisure Map ( A2 format) gives a good overview of activities and key locations in the Water Park, along with the main public footpaths and bridleways.
Also available, a full colour A2 format CWP Walks Guide which shows 6 lovely circular routes within the area, varying in length from riverside walks of 1km to a great 18km Cycle Route.
See Walking for more information and to download the individual walks map or purchase a hard copy at the Gateway Centre for £1.
Other useful Travel websites
For information about travel in and around Gloucestershire – www.thinktravel.info
For information about travel in and around Wiltshire – www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk