🚗 Cotswold School Summer Car Park – The Complete Bourton-on-the-Water Parking Guide
Seasonal overflow parking in Bourton-on-the-Water – 200 bays at Cotswold School supporting peak visitor demand. £5 all-day donation, 5 minutes from Birdland & village center for hassle-free summer visits.
🚗 Type: Public Overflow Car Park (Seasonal, Donation-based)
🕒 Open: Apr–Sept weekends & daily during summer holidays (10am–5pm)
🌟 Rating: 4.7/5 (Local Visitor Feedback)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Cost: £5 all-day (suggested donation)
Payment: Card only (payable at school reception or entrance volunteer; no cash)
Permit: Not required (open to all visitors)
Use of Funds: Proceeds support the school (and local charities in recent summers)
2026 Update: Expected to continue summer operation with similar £5 donation scheme (check for any updates on school website)
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~200 (on tarmac surface) |
| Layout | Unmarked bays on school grounds (flat surface) |
| Lighting | Limited (daytime operation only) |
| Security | Staff/volunteers on-site during open hours; gated after 5pm |
| Height Limit | None (high vehicles and coaches can enter) |
| Pedestrian Access | Gravel path to Station Road (leads towards village) |
♿ Accessibility
Disabled Access: Flat tarmac area; no designated disabled bays (parking on level ground, easy wheelchair movement).
Nearest Adapted Parking: Station Road main car park (8-minute walk) has marked disabled bays and ramp access.
Drop-Off Option: Vehicles can pull in near the school entrance for drop-offs before parking.
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None available on the school grounds.
Nearest Options:
Co-op Superstore (Station Rd) – 3× 7kW PodPoint chargers (5-min walk)
Rissington Rd Car Park – 8× 7kW Connected Kerb chargers (10-min walk)
(Note: All public chargers require user’s own cable and app access; standard parking fees apply at those car parks.)
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
Live Demand Patterns: Being a seasonal car park, demand peaks on weekends and school holidays in summer. Typical occupancy:
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Holidays (11am–3pm) | ~100% | Tourists & families (peak) |
| Spring Weekends (midday) | ~80% | Day-trippers, locals |
| Late Afternoon (after 4pm) | ~20% | Stragglers leaving attractions |
| Off-Season (Oct–Mar) | Closed | – |
Pro Tip: Arrive by 10:00 (opening time) on busy summer days for a guaranteed spot. After 11am, the lot often fills up – if you find it full, use the Station Road or Rissington Road car parks nearby.
🚶 Walkability Score
From the Cotswold School Car Park, major attractions and amenities in Bourton-on-the-Water are easily walkable:
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Birdland Park & Gardens | 5 min | Avoids circling for a space at Birdland’s own area (quick stroll to see the penguins!) |
| Cotswold Motoring Museum | 8 min | Scenic walk along the River Windrush to this vintage car collection |
| Model Village & High Street | 10 min | Short walk to Bourton’s famous miniature village and shops/cafés in the center |
| River Windrush Footbridges | 8 min | Enjoy a leisurely stroll to the picturesque heart of the “Venice of the Cotswolds” |
(All via flat routes; the gravel path from the car park meets Station Road, leading directly into the village.)
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Essentials:
Public Toilets: Visitors’ toilet facility at Bourton Centre (High St, ~8-min walk; 20p entry fee)
ATM: Post Office on High Street (~8-min walk) offers cash withdrawal services
Pharmacy: Rowlands Pharmacy (High St, ~10-min walk) for any medical or toiletry needs
Food Options:
The Mousetrap Inn (5-min walk): Traditional pub with hearty lunches and local ales – conveniently on the way into town.
Bakery on the Water (10-min walk): Popular riverside bakery/café for breakfast, pastries, and coffee with a view.
(Plus dozens of ice cream parlors, tea rooms, and restaurants in the village center – all within 10 minutes on foot.)
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
If the school car park is closed or full, consider these other parking options in Bourton-on-the-Water:
| Site | Distance (Walk) | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rissington Rd Car Park | 10 min | ~£10/day (P&D) | 24h | 192 spaces; official council lot next to Birdland (has EV chargers, disabled bays) |
| Bourton Vale “Station Rd” | 8 min | ~£3/2 hours (P&D) | 3–4h (short stay) | Near Co-Op store; cheaper short-term rates (great for quick visits) |
| Cricket Club Overflow | 10 min | ~£5 donation | Unlimited | Bourton Vale Cricket Club opens field parking on select peak days (all proceeds to charity; grass surface) |
(P&D = Pay-and-Display. Note that Station Rd car park may be referred to locally as “Bourton Vale Car Park” by the Co-Op.)
⚠️ Important Notices
Seasonal Operation: Open weekends from April through September, plus daily during summer school break. The car park does not operate in winter or early spring, so plan accordingly outside of peak season.
Opening Hours Enforcement: Gates close at 5:00pm. No overnight parking is permitted – vehicles left past closing risk being locked in or towed.
Payment Method: Card payments only for the donation (no cash accepted on site). Make sure you have a debit/credit card or contactless payment ready.
Local Endorsement: This car park is officially promoted by local attractions – for example, Birdland and the village tourism info often direct overflow traffic here on busy days. It’s a recognized solution to Bourton’s high-season parking crunch.
No On-Site Facilities: There are no toilets or refreshments at the car park. Utilize village public facilities or cafés (see Amenities above).
Peak Event Advisory: On major event days (e.g. August Bank Holiday “Football in the River” match and other festivals), expect the car park to fill extremely early. Consider arriving before 10am or use alternative parking, as traffic in the village will be heavy.
📌 Expert Tips
Early-Bird Advantage: In summer, locals know to queue up at the school gate just before 10am opening – you’ll snag a prime spot and avoid the gridlock that forms by late morning.
£5 All-Day Hack: Compared to the official pay-and-display lots (which can cost up to £10+ for a full day), parking here for a £5 donation is a bargain. Enjoy your day knowing you’ve saved money and contributed to a good cause (the school and local charities).
Birdland & Museum Saver: Visiting Birdland or the Motor Museum? Park here and walk – you’ll skip the crowded main car park and be on foot in minutes. Many repeat visitors use this trick to have a stress-free arrival and departure.
Plan for 5pm Exit: Set an alarm on your phone for 4:45pm. This friendly reminder ensures you return to your car before closing time – avoiding any end-of-day rush or complications with the gate.
Wet Weather Note: The tarmac surface means no muddy feet (unlike grass overflow fields). However, the connecting gravel path can get puddles after heavy rain – wear suitable footwear if it’s been wet.
🔮 Future Developments
2025: The car park’s operation was enhanced by a volunteer program and partnerships (sharing proceeds with local charities on special weekends). Also, local authorities trialed new coach drop-off zones in the area, reducing congestion and making the school site safer for all vehicles.
2026: Plans are underway to continue opening this overflow car park annually. There is talk of improving on-site facilities, with the school and council exploring a more permanent setup – potentially adding dedicated coach parking and even considering amenities like temporary toilets or EV charging if demand grows. Keep an eye on Bourton’s tourist information updates as 2026 approaches, as any changes to hours or pricing will be announced ahead of the summer season.
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