Cotswold Water Park may be renamed over 'confusion'

More than a million visitors go to Cotswold Water Park every year

Cotswold Water Park could be renamed Cotswold Lakes after local businesses say the name confuses visitors.

They say the name is misleading and, with around a million people visiting each year, does not celebrate what the area has to offer.

The vast area of more than 180 lakes, formed around 50 years ago, is home to a large amount of wildlife including 35,000 wintering birds.

Activities like water sports and fishing are available on some of the lakes but locals say the name means visitors think they are going to find water slides and play areas.

Owner of local leisure provider Cotswold Range Steve Gleed said: "It's a daily confusion."

He said visitors often ask "where the park is" or how much is costs to access it.

The lakes area was originally named the Cotswold Water Park, and the Cotswold Water Park Society was created in 1996 to help deliver access, conservation, leisure and education.

It became a registered charity in 2011 but recently changed its name to Cotswold Lakes Trust.

Matthew Millet is development officer at the Trust, he said the name was "never fit for purpose" and that it is "about time" a new name was found to reflect what the lakes really offer.

He added: "It's about getting the water park known for what it does really well, which is wildlife and landscapes."

Cotswold District Council will vote on Wednesday on whether to support the change.