6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Cotswold Water Park, UK

Discover a new adventure in the UK’s water sports paradise!

Curious about the best places to paddleboard in Cotswold Water Park?

We’ve got you covered with idyllic paddleboarding spots in this beautiful area.

Join us as we navigate through the enchanting waters of Cotswold Water Park. Ready to set sail?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Cotswold Water Park

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 15 °C from May through September. July is the warmest month, averaging 21 °C, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: Access in England and Wales depends on who controls the water. The Canal & River Trust requires a valid waterways licence for a paddleboard on its canals and rivers, either short term or through Paddle UK membership, and that licence expressly does not cover the Trust’s reservoirs. Lakes and reservoirs in other hands set their own conditions, so check the individual spot before you load the car. There is no statutory kit list, but official guidance after a fatal accident is blunt: wear a buoyancy aid, and a quick release waist leash in moving water.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists one place within 16 miles that hires out boards, kayaks or canoes: Cotswolds Canoe Hire. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Cotswold Water Park

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 South Cerney Outdoor

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: South Cerney Outdoor Centre (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm lake water, can be breezy
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, swans, geese
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Cotswold tree-lined lakeshore, picturesque village views
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow Centre guidelines, wear a life jacket

South Cerney Outdoor Centre is located within the stunning Cotswold Water Park, offering a beautiful and tranquil environment for paddleboarding.

With calm waters and picturesque surroundings, South Cerney is an ideal spot for beginners and experienced paddleboarders alike.

#2 Keynes Country Park

Brian Robert Marshall, Visitor centre, Keynes country park, Somerford Keynes – geograph.org.uk – 766147, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY-SA 2.0

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Keynes Country Park, Lake 32 (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm water, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, ducks, swans
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Beach area, tranquil lake setting
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Adhere to park regulations, life jackets recommended

Keynes Country Park offers a serene environment for paddleboarding, where you can experience the beauty of Cotswold Water Park from the water.

The calm lake and beach area make it an enjoyable spot for those seeking a leisurely paddle For more spots, check out the paddle boarding in Bewl Water.

#3 Lake 86

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Cotswold Ski and Wake Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Flat water, wind dependent
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, coots, grebes
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Watersports complex, sandy beach
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow watersports complex rules, wear buoyancy aid

Located in the heart of Cotswold Water Park, Lake 86 offers paddleboard enthusiasts the chance to enjoy the calm waters and scenic amenities of a popular watersports complex.

Perfect for all skill levels, Lake 86 is a must-visit for paddleboarding in Cotswold Water Park.

#4 Lake 88

Peter Watkins, Cotswold Sailing Club, Cerney Wick – geograph.org.uk – 128793, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY-SA 2.0

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Cotswold Sailing Club (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Flat water, sheltered location
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Waterfowl, dragonflies
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Woodland surroundings, open green space
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow Cotswold Sailing Club guidelines, club access only

Lake 88 offers a unique paddleboarding experience nestled within the picturesque woodland of Cotswold Water Park.

As part of Cotswold Sailing Club, the sheltered location is perfect for paddleboard enthusiasts looking for a peaceful and calm environment.

#5 Ashton Keynes

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Near the Swindon and Cricklade Railway (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle stream, tree coverage
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, kingfishers, grazing cattle
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Quaint Cotswold village charm
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of river levels, respect private properties

The picturesque village of Ashton Keynes provides a charming backdrop for paddleboarding.

Glide gently along the idyllic river as you take in the natural beauty of this scenic Cotswold village.

#6 Neigh Bridge Lake

*Neigh Bridge Lake, Neigh Bridge Country Park* by Vieve Forward, Neigh Bridge Lake, Neigh Bridge Country Park – geograph.org.uk – 4916962, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY-SA 2.0

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Neigh Bridge Country Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild wind conditions
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, swans, geese
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Tree-lined shores, grassy open spaces
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow Site rules, wear lifejacket

Surrounded by tree-lined shores and rolling grassy open spaces, Neigh Bridge Lake offers a peaceful spot for tranquil paddleboarding in Cotswold Water Park.

Enjoy the calm waters and abundant natural beauty as you explore this serene lake.

Well over a hundred gravel pits sit in the park, most of them private, so the guide is really about which ones let you launch. Birmingham and Leicester are the nearest cities with water of their own if the permits put you off.