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Home | Guides & Itineraries | Weekend Break Itinerary in the Cotswold Lakes

Weekend Break Itinerary

The sample itinerary below includes much of what our guests have loved doing over the years.

What you choose to do depends entirely on the make up of your group and on which of the Cotswold Lakes you are staying. Several of the lakes have their own facilities and activities on-site exclusive to the guests staying there.

Grab lunch and a cool beer on the waterside balcony at the Lakeside Brasserie on Spring Lake and watch the waterskiing and wakeboarding.

or

Head to the Gateway Information Centre and grab a coffee or snack at the Gateway Café next to the Cotswold Outdoors store. You can pick up the free ‘Leisure Map’ highlighting all the local tourist information & activities available for you plan and enjoy.

If you need any groceries or need to stock up, head off to the Cirencester Tesco Superstore only 5-10 minutes away. There is also a local convenience store and a Co-op in the village of South Cerney.

Or why not experience the superb selection of local produce at the Jesse Smith Farm Shop at Cirencester? Load up the fridge with BBQ food from the Butcher’s Block and delicatessen delights for an al fresco dinner on the decking for the evening.

Morning

Visit the cobbled streets & vibrant market town of Cirencester

Head into Cirencester (read our town guide) and explore the curio shops and Saturday Market stalls.

This historic old Roman town hosts the Corinium Museum and Roman Amphitheatre. It offers a superb array of local boutiques, market stalls, specialist food shops and independent retailers as well as many great coffee shops offering a fascination shopping experience.

Find out more on the Cirencester website.

Afternoon

Time to have a lot of fun and get wet and explore the Cotswold Lakes

Inflatable Rides at 4 Lakes Watersports

4 Lakes Waterski School is an outdoor adventure paradise for families, set in lovely lakeside surroundings. Try the inflatable rides, waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and more.

Or

Row, row, row the boat at Cotswold Water Park Hire – Lake 86

Excellent range of watersports & Ohana Coffee Hut – At Lake 86 you can hire rowing boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and canoes and even go wild swimming. Great fun family entertainment, challenge yourselves or simply unwind and relax. Close to the De Vere Hotel & Gateway Centre.

Dinner

Fire up the BBQ

Head home and dry out. Relax in your lakeside holiday home and chill out on the decking enjoying the wonderful views.

Morning

Milk the goats & feed the pigs at Butts Farm Rare Breeds, Cafe & Farm Shop

Fun for children and adults alike The Butts Farm is a working farm showcasing rare breeds and traditional farm animals and their young offspring. The daily activities include milking long haired goat, cuddle a bunny, feed the pig and wild chickens or groom a pony.

Or

Shootout at The Cotswold Range

Try your hand at archery or air rifles and challenge each other in a set of fun target games such as ‘Split the Arrow’, ‘Pistol Maze’ or the ‘Apple Challenge’ all in a sheltered purpose built venue close to Somerford Keynes. All run by Archery GB qualified instructors and great for all ages above 8 years old to become expert sharpshooters!

Lunch & Afternoon

Enjoy a lakeside walk & picnic with water, wildlife & nature all around at Neigh Bridge Country Park

Open all year round with plenty of parking this park is ideal for accessing the Thames Path National Trail. Neigh Bridge is also a great place to start some beautiful circular walks which will give you an insight into the true landscape of the Cotswold Water Park. See Walk 3 on the Cotswold Water Park walking page to download free self-guided walks.

Dinner

Treat yourself to dinner out at The Old Boathouse Restaurant and Bar, in the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel overlooking the lake. (Check our Guest Guide for discount codes)

If you do not have to rush back home then why not make the most of your last day on holiday in the Cotswold Water Park.

Back your bags, put the rubbish out, final cross check that you have everything, and check out of your holiday cottage by 10.00am.

Morning

Try something different and completely wonderful

Located near Somerford Keynes, the Cotswold Sculpture Park features the work of many talented sculptors displayed cleverly throughout a well marked woodland trail with ponds, gardens and glades. It is fascination and fun.

Or

Head Out for a Hearty Breakfast or Brunch & Coffee

Go to JK’s Bistro or the The Lodge at Lake 12 for an enjoyable menu of delights or a decadent treat from the cabinet.  A lovely way to remember your stay in the Cotswold Lakes and set you up for a good journey home with happy memories and smiling faces all around. 

For a greater selection of ideas of what to do and where to visit take a look at our digital Guest Guide. This comprehensive guide includes Orion recommendations, practical tips plus some local discounts exclusive to Orion guests.

Download this Itinerary

Get a copy of this guide of things to do on a weekend break with your family or friends in the Cotswold Lakes.

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