- Cotswold Water Park
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The Cotswold Water Park is the United Kingdom's largest water park. It consists of 147 numbered lakes[1][2]which were formed by allowing old gravel quarries to become filled with water.
Contents
Location
The Western part is located by the A419 road, on the River Thames (not far from its source) and the River Churn, about five miles south of Cirencester, on the border between Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, near the villages of South Cerney and Ashton Keynes. The Eastern part is near the A417, on the River Coln, lying between Fairford and Lechlade. The site straddles the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire boundary.[3] Some of the more recently created lakes have been connected to the River Thames, which flows amongst them. The lakes and the river are linked by large underground pipes to act as a flood defence scheme. If too much water falls in the area it is be taken in by the lakes and subsequently passed on down the river. In addition to these, there are many water spillways leading from the Thames to the few remaining fields.
Amenities
The park is popular for birdwatching. There are many water sports and other activities available. Only a small number of the lakes are open for public use. The Site of Special Scientific Interest extends to 337 acres (136 ha).[4]
References
External links
Media related to Cotswold Water Park at Wikimedia CommonsCategories:- Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire
- Parks and open spaces in Wiltshire
- Parks and open spaces in Gloucestershire
- Cotswolds
- Gloucestershire geography stubs
- Wiltshire geography stubs
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