Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to book admission to enter and how much is park admission?

You must have purchased an admission ticket for entry to the Park. We strongly recommend to book online in advance of your visit date to avoid disappointment.

You must have an admission ticket alongside any activity or BBQ tickets you have purchased.

Admission prices are dependant upon the season, they can be checked on our park admission page

https://www.cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com/things-to-do/park-admission/

• Can I park anywhere nearby?

We do not have any external parking outside of our Park, therefore if you are arriving on foot with a pedestrian admission ticket, we recommend to be dropped off and picked up.

• Can I cancel my tickets if its due to rain / raining?

All tickets are non-refundable. We have a 72hr transfer policy, therefore if you contact us 72 hrs prior to the date of your visit, we can transfer your booking to new date of your choice where possible. We leave it to you to check the weather forecast is suitable before you book, as all our activities still run despite wet weather and will only be cancelled if there is thunder and lightning within 5 miles of the site. Please note, this decision will be taken on the day in line with our safety procedures and will be a temporary measure until the thunder and lightning has passed.

• Do you have concessions or Blue Light Discount?

Unfortunately, we do not offer any concession rates. We do offer Blue Light Discount to those with the necessary requirements, please contact our Office team at info@cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com with proof and we will provide you with a code.

We do offer an AquaVenture discount for group bookings of 20+, please use code AQUA20 in the promotional box at the checkout. Please note, this code will only work with 20 or more AquaVenture tickets in your basket.

• Are dogs allowed?

Dogs are very welcome, they must be kept on a lead at all times and are not allowed on the beach or in the water.

They are allowed on our boats within reason and in our Café.

During hot weather, please do not leave animals in your vehicle.

• Can I bring my own paddleboard / kayak to launch?

You are unable to launch your own craft from our site, this includes all SUPs, kayaks and boats.

• Can I bring a disposable BBQ?

Unfortunately disposable BBQ’s, fires and gas burners are prohibited on site. We have BBQ areas that can be rented out for the day. Failure to follow the rules onsite may lead to you being asked to leave.

• Are your toilets open?

Our toilets are open during business hours. We have two toilet blocks located at each end of the Park, with a disabled toilet located at the Main Entrance.

• Can I camp?

We do not have camping facilities on site and are a day attraction only. Our closest campsite is Cotswold Lakes Camping located only a 2 minute drive or a 20 minute walk from us. Please find them here – Contact Cotswold Lakes Camping – Cotswold Lakes Camping

We are also close to Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park Hoburne Cotswold | Holiday Park in Gloucestershire  and the De Vere Cotswold Water Park De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel & Apartments | Picturesque Hotel

• Are you a protected site?

Areas within the Cotswold Water Park are Special Areas of Conservation and our site in particular is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We therefore ask you to be respectful of all the local flora and fauna. We ask guests to dispose of waste properly, no matter how small to protect our wildlife. Thank you.

• Is admission to Cotswold Country Park & Beach included in the AquaVenture ticket?

AquaVenture tickets do not include admission. You must have purchased an admission ticket as well as AquaVenture tickets. Please book your admission ticket at the same time as your AquaVenture in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day. Should we be fully booked, you will not be allowed entry to use your AquaVenture tickets.

• Do adults have to go on with children on AquaVenture?

For children aged 6—10 years, an adult must accompany them on AquaVenture. The ratio of an adult accompanying children is more than 1adult:3children. For ages between 11 and 15, an adult must complete the disclaimer on behalf of the child but does not have to go on AquaVenture with them – the adult must be 18+ to give consent and must be on site during the session.

• Do I have to be able to swim to participate on AquaVenture?

Yes – you must be able to swim 50m unaided with a buoyancy aid on and be confident in the water. Young children must swim on their own. Please note, you have to swim out to the AquaVenture to gain access and swim back to land at the end of your session.

• Do I have to be physically fit to take part on AquaVenture?

You do have to be able to pull yourself up out of the water and it can be tiring. You don’t have to be very fit to take part, however it is a very active sport that requires some level of fitness.

• How long prior to the AquaVenture session should I arrive?

Please check-in for your session at the AquaVenture check-in shed 30 minutes before your session start time. This allows time for you to check-in, purchase a wetsuit if you require one, change and receive your buoyancy aid and safety briefing before heading into the water.

• What happens if I have booked AquaVenture and I’m stuck in traffic?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee to get you onto your AquaVenture session should you be late. We will try our best to accommodate you and may be able to move you to a later session where possible. Please call us if you think you will be late for your session and our Office team may be able to change your session. Please leave plenty of time for your journey as we cannot offer refunds if you miss your session.

• What happens if it’s raining or there is a storm when I’m due to go on the AquaVenture?

Our session will run in wet weather and will only be stopped / cancelled if there is thunder and lightning within 5 miles of the site. Please note, this decision will be taken on the day in line with our safety procedures and will be a temporary measure until the thunder and lightning has passed. We will aim to get you back in the water as soon as we safely can.

• Do I have to wear a wetsuit?

If the water temp is below 15 degrees centigrade, wetsuits will be mandatory. If you have your own wetsuit you are welcome to bring it to wear, otherwise we have them available to hire on arrival subject to availability at £5.00 per wetsuit.

• Can I wear shoes on AquaVenture?

No – trainers or hard soled shoes are not allowed such as rock pooling shoes or surfing boats – barefoot is standard.
Aqua socks are permitted and are available to purchase on the day if necessary.

• Where can I change for my session store and is their somewhere to store my possessions / valuables?

We have basic changing rooms at the AquaVenture, split into male and female. Please note, there are no toilets located at the AquaVenture and we do not currently have showers onsite.

We have small keyed lockers for valuables such as keys, wallets, phones. Please ask a member of the Lifeguard team to store this and they will arrange that for you. We do advise not to bring any valuables to AquaVenture if possible and either leave them with someone that has come with you or locked in your car.

• Can I participate on AquaVenture if I am pregnant?

We strongly advise not to participate if you are pregnant.

• Do I need to remove all jewellery and can I wear glasses on AquaVenture?

All jewellery must be removed before you enter the water including all removable ear-rings.

It is strongly advised not to wear your glasses on the AquaVenture, prescription goggles are a good alternative. If you have to wear your glasses, this is done entirely at your own risk, as there is a high chance of losing or damaging them. Swimming goggles are permitted.

• Can I take a waterproof camera onto AquaVenture?

We do not allow the use of this type of equipment as it could damage the inflatables.

• Can I leave AquaVenture before the hour is up?

Yes, you can leave before the hour is up, however you cannot return to AquaVenture once you have left the area.

• Where can I swim?

Please only swim from approved areas from the beach to the buoy line, as these are where our Lifeguards are overseeing. Please do not swim at any entry point around South or North Lake.

• Can I bring inflatables on the beach?

It is the lifeguards decision if the inflatables are appropriate, as inflatables can obscure their view. We ask that you only bring small inflatables, for example a single lilo or small animal inflatables. We do not allow inflatable boats.

• Do you have any information about Lake quality or algae?

Our Lake quality is checked by the Environmental Agency on a monthly basis. We also conduct our own water testing with an external company on a two weekly basis.

• When I am on site, where can I purchase activities?

We have a live online booking system which means you can book all activities on our website on the day. We recommend booking from your own device so you don’t have to leave your relaxing spot on the beach. Activities can also be purchased from our Shop onsite.

• What are the age restrictions on activities?

Stand Up Paddleboards and single kayaks, participants must be aged 11 or older. Double kayaks, children ages 6-11 are allowed to participate with an adult onboard.

Swan Pedalo boats, Mini Electric boats and Row boats, we ask that children are 11 years old and over if participating on their own. If accompanied by an adult, any aged child may go onboard.

• Do we have to rent buoyancy aides?

Buoyancy aides are provided for all water activities and are included in your ticket. We have buoyancy aids for all sizes, including babies and young children.

• How many people fit in your boats, kayaks and SUPs?

Swan Pedalo boats, Mini Electric boats and Row boats all seat 4 adults. Babies and toddlers can sit on laps.

Stand Up Paddleboards and single kayaks are all 1 person. Double kayaks are for 2 people.

• Do you serve food?

We serve hot & cold food and drink from our Beach Shack, Café, and Ice Cream Hut. Please note, selected eateries will be open at certain times of the year.

• Can I bring my own food and drink to the park?

You can bring your own food and drink for a picnic in the Park. We only ask that you do not bring glass bottles or containers and please ensure all rubbish is disposed of in the bins provided.

• Can I bring a disposable BBQ?

Unfortunately disposable BBQ’s, fires and gas burners are prohibited on site. We have BBQ areas that can be rented out for the day. Failure to follow the rules onsite may lead to you being asked to leave.

(No alcohol may be consumed prior to Watersport Activities)