Top 6 Lakes around Kemble

The lakes, primarily within the Cotswold Water Park, offer a wide range of activities. You can enjoy various watersports, miles of off-road walking and cycling paths, and peaceful lakeside strolls. There's also an inland beach for bathing and paddling. For cycling enthusiasts, the Singletrack Between the Manorbrook Lakes provides a great flowing surface track with quality turns.

Yes, many of the lakes and surrounding areas within the Cotswold Water Park are designated nature reserves. These areas provide habitats for diverse wildlife, especially thousands of waterbirds that visit each winter, making it an excellent spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers. The Lake at Cotswold Water Park is part of the UK’s largest marl lake system, known for its rich biodiversity.

While the lakes can be enjoyed year-round, spring and summer are often recommended for activities like cycling, as highlighted by tips for the Singletrack Between the Manorbrook Lakes. Winter also offers unique opportunities for birdwatching, as thousands of waterbirds visit the nature reserves within the Cotswold Water Park.

Absolutely. The Cotswold Water Park offers diverse activities suitable for families, including an inland beach for paddling. Abbey Grounds Park is a particularly family-friendly lake area with wide open spaces, wildfowl, and a children’s play area near the entrance.

The area around the Cotswold Water Park features country pubs serving local beers, as well as lakeside restaurants and cafés. A notable spot is the Dragonfly Café & Visitor Centre, which is beautifully located next to a lake with outside seating, offering a chance to observe wildlife while enjoying coffee and homemade cake.

There are various cycling opportunities. For mountain biking, you can explore routes like the 'Cotswold Water Park Lake – St Sampson's Church loop from South Cerney' which is an easy route. For road cycling, options range from moderate to difficult, such as the 'Westonbirt Arboretum loop from Kemble' or the 'Eastleach Turville – Windrush Valley Country Lane loop from Kemble'. You can find more details on these and other routes in the MTB Trails around Kemble and Road Cycling Routes around Kemble guides.

Yes, there are several hiking trails. You can find easy hikes such as the 'Coates loop via Monarch Way — The Cotswolds' or the 'Source of the River Thames loop from Kemble'. These trails offer opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the area. For more hiking options, refer to the Easy hikes around Kemble guide.

Entry to the Cotswold Water Park itself is generally free, as it covers a large area. However, there may be charges for accessing specific facilities like the inland beach or certain activity centers within the park.

The lakes around Kemble are primarily part of the Cotswold Water Park, which is unique for being the UK’s largest marl lake system. It comprises over 150 lakes formed from sand and gravel extraction, creating an extensive wetland landscape that balances diverse recreational activities with significant nature conservation areas.

Visitors appreciate the diverse range of activities, from watersports to tranquil walks. The natural beauty and wildlife, especially the waterbirds, are a big draw. Cyclists enjoy the well-maintained tracks like the Singletrack Between the Manorbrook Lakes for its flowing surface and fun corners. The presence of family-friendly spots like Abbey Grounds Park also contributes to the area's appeal.

If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of otters, especially from locations like the Dragonfly Café & Visitor Centre, which has outside decking perfect for wildlife observation.