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Cotswold Water Park

Daily

Cost: Free

Hours: Various - depending on season

The Cotswold Water Park is a series of 133 gravel lakes covering a massive 40 square miles in the heart of the south Cotswolds - "a blooming marvellous place" according to David Bellamy.

Perfect for all kinds of adventure activity, from windsurfing to angling, sailing, canoeing and horseriding, the nature reserve is also home to all kinds of birds and waterfowl, so ramblers, nature lovers and birdwatchers have plenty to amuse them too.

Away from the main sporting lakes, in spring and summer breeding warblers, nightingales and chiffchaffs can be spotted, while flowers dotting the old river meadows include the rare and beautiful snakeshead fritillary along with orchids, bluebells, violets and primroses. Migratory birds passing through include ospreys, little egrets, spoon bills and over 20 species of wader.

In winter there are plenty of residents to keep the birdwatcher happy, with great crested herons, tufted duck, mallard, coot and great northern diver hugging the shores of the many lakes.

The Water Parks Authority have devised several guided walks, from 30 minutes to six hours in duration. Some take in parts of the Thames Path, others the nearby honey-hued Cotswold stone villages: all offer peace and tranquillity in these wetlands and grasslands at the heart of the English countryside.

Cotswold Water Park

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