Compiled and fact-checked by Tommo, Verus founder · Last verified August 2026 · Spot an error?
Lake 32, Cotswold Water Park Guide
Lake 32 (Cotswold Water Park) triathlon and open water swim guide: who runs events there, buoyed swim distances, wetsuit rules, transport and parking — plus how it differs from the water park's other lakes.
Venue At A Glance
Shorncote, near Cirencester, Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire, UK
GL7 6DF
Triathlon, Open Water Swim
4 running events here
Lake 32 is a flooded former gravel quarry of roughly 44 acres, one of over 150 lakes spread across the 40-square-mile Cotswold Water Park straddling the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire border. It runs day-to-day as a bookable open-water swim and watersports centre, and separately hires out the lake to third-party event organizers for triathlon and open-water swim races — which is why several unrelated companies each run their own branded event here through the season. The wider water park has other, separate lakes used for racing too: Lake 62 at Ashton Keynes runs its own triathlon series but through a single organizer (LPS Events) only, and Cotswold Country Park & Beach is a different, lifeguarded swimming beach rather than a race venue — don't confuse the three.
Who Runs Events Here
No single source publishes a combined total. Adding up what's confirmed above gives roughly 4-5 organized race or charity-swim events a year at Lake 32 specifically, on top of its own ongoing PAYG and membership open-water sessions and occasional non-race bookings (brand demo days and the like) — treat that as an estimate assembled from individual event listings, not a published venue figure.
iCompete Events
51fiver Cotswold Standard Triathlon, plus an aquabike option
Annual, mid/late May
Visit organizer siteDB Max Sports Timing & Events
Cotswold Big Swim Festival — open water swim festival, 750m to 10K plus a relay
Annual, June
Visit organizer siteLake 32's own site publishes a shared calendar mixing its own open-water sessions, third-party race dates and closures for group bookings — useful for knowing when the lake is busy or closed, but for entry, start times and race-day specifics, go to that event's own organizer rather than the venue.
The Course & Wetsuit Rules
Buoyed loops of 100m/200m/400m/750m are open most of the week, plus a 1,500m loop open three days a week, for training swims. Race distances vary by event: the 51fiver triathlon swim is a single 1,500m lap exiting via a swim ramp straight into transition; the Cotswold 113's swim leg is 1,900m. The venue's own FAQ gives the lake's depth as between 2m and 6m.
Facilities
- Heated changing rooms with toilets and showers.
- Lakeside Café 32 on site, with hot and cold food and vegan options.
- On-site parking and a belongings-storage option at the café.
- Transition sits directly beside the lake, with a dedicated swim-exit ramp for race events.
Getting There & Spectating
Transport & Parking
From the M4 Junction 15 or M5 Junction 11a, follow the A419 towards Cirencester; around 3 miles north of Cricklade, take the B4696 Spine Road, then Spratsgate Lane.
Nearest station is Kemble, on the Cheltenham-Swindon-London Paddington line, around 5 miles from Cirencester with further travel needed on to Shorncote — there is no station directly at the venue.
On-site parking exists but is limited, not ample — the venue's own FAQ says it may have to open its grass field as overflow at busy times, and reserves 4 spaces for disabled visitors (don't use the neighbouring fishermen's carpark, which is separately enforced). No fee is stated for normal-day parking. Whether event days use a different arrangement isn't confirmed — one event's race information placed race-day parking around 1,000m from transition, so check your specific event's own details.
Spectator Guide
Spectators are permitted at events here, but no detailed viewing map or restricted-zone policy is published centrally — check your specific event's own spectator guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there open water swimming at Cotswold Water Park?
Yes — at Lake 32 Outdoor Centre (Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, near Cirencester), which runs bookable open-water swim sessions most days of the week with buoyed loops from 100m to 1,500m.
Do I need a wetsuit at Lake 32?
For casual swims, it's your choice — a tow float is required either way. For a specific race, it depends on that event's organizer and the water temperature on the day; 51fiver's race information, for example, states wetsuits are more than likely mandatory.
Is parking free at Lake 32?
There's no stated fee for normal-day parking, but it's limited rather than ample — the venue opens its grass field as overflow at busy times. Event-day arrangements aren't consistently confirmed, so check your specific event's own information.
What triathlons are held at Cotswold Water Park?
At Lake 32 specifically: the 51fiver Cotswold Standard Triathlon (iCompete Events, annual, mid-May) and the Cotswold 113 half-iron-distance triathlon (113 Events, twice yearly). A separate lake, Lake 62 at Ashton Keynes, runs its own series through a different, single organizer.
How do I get to Lake 32 without a car?
The nearest railway station is Kemble, on the Cheltenham-Swindon-London Paddington line, with onward travel by bus or taxi to the Cirencester/Shorncote area.
Is Lake 32 the same as the rest of Cotswold Water Park?
No — the water park has over 150 lakes. Lake 32 is the specific one that hosts multiple unrelated organizers' triathlon and swim events. Lake 62 (Ashton Keynes) runs its own triathlon series through a single organizer, and Cotswold Country Park & Beach is a separate, lifeguarded swimming beach rather than a race venue.