Croft Farm Water Park sits in the quiet hamlet of Bredons Hardwick, just a short drive from the historic riverside town of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire.

The Origins of the Lake

• From Farmland to Digging: Back in the 1960s, the Newell family ran the land as an intensive vegetable farm.
• Sand and Gravel: In the 1970s, a minerals company gained permission to extract sand and gravel, shaping the landscape until the mid-1990s.
• A New Beginning: As part of the site restoration, planners left behind a large basin of clean water. Seizing an opportunity, Alan Newell completed a windsurfing instructor course, bought half a dozen boards, and set up a camp stove to brew tea for visitors.

Life Around the Water Park Today 

• On the Water: The central lake hosts stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and pedal boats.
• Staying Over: Visitors can book camping pitches, cozy glamping pods, or luxury lakeside lodges complete with private hot tubs overlooking the surrounding countryside.
• Surrounding Landscape: The park serves as a convenient gateway for exploring the scenic Cotswolds, the towering Malvern Hills, Bredon Hill, and the leafy Forest of Dean.
• Nearby Attractions: Just down the road lies Tewkesbury with its medieval streets and famous Tewkesbury Abbey, alongside local venues like the traditional Cross Keys Inn situated right across from the park entrance