Being pretty landlocked, Birmingham isn’t exactly blessed with sandy beaches. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still be able to enjoy them on a regular basis. Luckily we don’t have to drive to the coast to enjoy the sand between our toes. Because Cotswold Country Park & Beach offers a sandy beach nowhere near the sea!
Located less than a two-hour drive from Birmingham, Cotswold Country Park & Beach is the UK’s largest inland sandy beach. Its sandy shores actually surround freshwater lakes and is the perfect day trip – and it reopens to the public on Friday, April 4. So pack those buckets and spades to build epic sand castles!
Cotswold Country Park & Beach is comprised of a Main Beach for some serious outdoor swimming, as well as a Paddling Lagoon which is great for playing and relaxing. Plus, for those with smaller toes, the Mini Children’s Beach Lagoon is also available. But the whole area is jam-packed with things to do.
Adventure playgrounds for the kids are situated right by the beach, with Mini Golf also available daily. There’s also an AquaVenture inflatable course for all ages, with the high-energy obstacle course offering the ultimate total wipe-out style experience. You can also rent out kayaks, paddleboards and swan pedalo boats to explore these gorgeous lakes.
If that all sounds a bit… exhausting, however. Don’t worry. No one will judge you if you just want to throw down a towel and sunbathe with a good book all day. Just make sure to pack a picnic, buy burgers at the Beach Shack, or hire a BBQ to grill up your own food all day long. Now you can’t do that in a coastal town!
What should I know about Cotswold Country Park & Beach?
Admission costs upwards of £3.50 for a pedestrian and £10 for a car, rising to £5,50 and £20 during high season. This gives access to the Park for the whole day, including the beach, swimming lagoon, toddler’s paddling area, children’s play parks and walks around the lakes. Mini Golf, AquaVenture, and Paddle Board, Kayak and BBQ Hire all cost extra, however.
The Park opens from 10 am to 5 pm on April 4 to July 4. It will then remain open until 6pm, July 5 to August 31, before reverting to the earlier time of 5 pm. Cotswold Country Park & Beach will shut for the winter again on October 19, 2025. You can arrive at any time during opening hours with the last entry one hour before closing. To learn more about Cotswold Country Park & Beach, we recommend heading here.
Find Cotswold Country Park & Beach at Spratsgate Ln, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF.