Croft Farm Water Park: Complete Guide to Watersports, Camping & Family Holidays

Looking for an outdoor getaway where you can combine watersports, countryside, camping and family-friendly activities? Croft Farm Water Park near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, offers a very different kind of water park experience. Rather than being a traditional water park filled with slides, splash zones and wave pools, Croft Farm centres around a private lake and a wide selection of watersports. Visitors can try sailing, windsurfing, wingsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and powerboating, with tuition available for beginners and more experienced participants

The park also offers several ways to stay, including lakeside camping, glamping and luxury lodges. That means you can visit for a day of watersports or turn the experience into a full family holiday. Here’s everything you need to know about Croft Farm Water Park, from activities and accommodation to facilities, nearby attractions and what to bring.

What Is Croft Farm Water Park?

Croft Farm Water Park is an outdoor leisure and holiday destination in Bredon’s Hardwick, close to Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. Its main feature is a private lake used for a range of watersports. The centre has developed from its original focus on windsurfing into a much broader watersports destination offering:

• Windsurfing
• Wingsurfing
• Sailing
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Stand-up paddleboarding
• Powerboating
• Katakanuing
• Raft building
• Group activities
• Watersports tuition

The watersports centre has been operating since 1985 and is an RYA training centre for windsurfing, sailing and powerboating. It also provides instruction for adults, juniors, families, schools and larger groups. The wider Croft Farm site has also developed into a holiday destination with camping, glamping and luxury lodge accommodation. So, if you’re searching for a place where you can combine an active day on the water with an overnight countryside stay, Croft Farm offers both.

Where Is Croft Farm Water Park?

Croft Farm Water Park is located at Bredon’s Hardwick, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Its location makes it useful not only for watersports but also for exploring the surrounding countryside. The park is positioned close to destinations such as:

• Tewkesbury
• The Cotswolds
• Malvern Hills
• Bredon Hill
• Forest of Dean

This means you can build a longer trip around Croft Farm rather than spending the entire holiday at the lake. For visitors staying on-site, the countryside location also creates a more relaxed atmosphere than a large commercial waterpark.

Is Croft Farm Water Park a Traditional Water Park?

This is one of the most important things to understand before visiting. Croft Farm is not a traditional waterpark with large slides, wave pools and splash attractions. Instead, it’s a lake-based watersports and holiday park. The lake is the centre of the experience, and visitors come here to participate in or learn watersports. That makes it particularly appealing to:

• Active families
• Watersports beginners
• Outdoor enthusiasts
• School groups
• Friends
• Couples
• Experienced sailors and windsurfers
• Camping and glamping visitors

If you’re looking for water slides, lazy rivers or a large indoor swimming complex, Croft Farm isn’t that type of destination. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure centred around a real lake, it’s a completely different experience.

What Can You Do at Croft Farm Water Park?

There’s a surprisingly wide range of activities available. The best option depends on your age, experience and how adventurous you want your day to be.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing has been at the heart of Croft Farm since its early days.

The lake provides space for both beginners learning the basics and experienced participants who want to spend time on the water. Lessons and equipment options are available, making it possible to visit even if you’ve never windsurfed before. The lake is also described by the centre as being large enough for experienced sailors while not being so intimidating for children and beginners.

Wingsurfing

Wingsurfing provides another way to get onto the water. It’s a more adventurous option and can be particularly appealing to visitors who already have some experience with board sports or want to learn a newer watersport. If you’re completely new, tuition is the sensible place to start.

Sailing

Sailing is another major activity at Croft Farm. The centre provides sailing tuition and has an RYA-recognised training environment. Beginners can learn the basics while more experienced sailors can use the lake for recreational sailing.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding, often called SUP, is one of the more accessible watersports for beginners. It doesn’t require the same type of technical knowledge as sailing or windsurfing, although balance and basic water confidence are useful. SUP can be a great choice for families and first-time visitors who want to experience the lake at a relaxed pace.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Kayaking and canoeing offer another easy way to explore the lake. They can be particularly suitable for visitors who aren’t interested in learning to sail or windsurf. Croft Farm also provides equipment and tuition options for different types of visitors.

Powerboating

Powerboating provides something different from the slower pace of paddle sports. The centre offers powerboat training through its RYA-recognised watersports operation. This is more suited to people specifically interested in learning powerboating rather than simply looking for a casual family activity.

Katakanuing and Raft Building

For larger groups, Croft Farm offers activities such as katakanuing and raft building. These can be especially useful for:

• School trips
• Team-building
• Group weekends
• Youth groups
• Organised outdoor activities

They’re also a good choice if the main goal is teamwork rather than individual watersports skills.

Croft Farm Lake – What Is It Like?

The lake is the focal point of Croft Farm. One of its advantages is its size. According to the watersports centre, it’s large enough to provide enjoyable conditions for experienced sailors and windsurfers while still being manageable for children and beginners. Launching and recovery are also designed to be straightforward, with access from both sides of the lake. For beginners, this can make the environment feel less intimidating than a large open water location. For experienced users, the lake still provides enough space to enjoy windy conditions and practise their skills.

The lake also creates the atmosphere of the wider holiday park. Even if you’re not participating in a watersport, you can spend time beside the water, relax, watch other visitors and enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Watersports Lessons at Croft Farm

You don’t need to arrive as an experienced watersports enthusiast. Croft Farm offers tuition for different experience levels. The watersports centre is an RYA Training Centre and provides courses for adults and juniors in activities including windsurfing, sailing and powerboating.

Beginner Lessons

If you’ve never tried sailing, windsurfing or another watersport before, a lesson can make the experience much easier. Qualified instruction means you can learn the basics in a controlled environment rather than trying to figure everything out yourself.

Family Tuition

Families can also take part in tuition together. This is useful when parents and children want to learn a new activity during the same holiday.

Group and School Activities

Croft Farm has considerable experience working with schools and larger organisations. Group activities can include watersports and team-based challenges such as raft building.

What Equipment Is Provided?

Depending on the activity, participants can be provided with equipment such as:

• Buoyancy aids
• Wetsuits where required
• Helmets where required

Visitors are advised to bring their own suitable shoes for the water and clothing that they don’t mind getting wet. Changing rooms, toilets and showers are also available for watersports customers.

Croft Farm Water Park Accommodation

One of the biggest advantages of Croft Farm is that you don’t have to leave after your watersports session. The park offers several accommodation styles. You can choose between:

• Luxury lodges
• Lakeside cabins
• Glamping pods
• Holiday chalets
• Camping pitches
• Touring pitches

The accommodation options make the destination suitable for different budgets and travel styles.

Luxury Lodges

The luxury lodges are aimed at visitors who want a more comfortable holiday experience. They provide a stronger alternative to traditional camping while keeping you close to the countryside and lake. They’re particularly suitable for families or groups who want to enjoy Croft Farm’s outdoor activities without giving up modern accommodation.

Glamping

Croft Farm offers several glamping choices, including lakeside cabins, pods and chalets.

Lakeside Cabins

The newer lakeside cabins provide a more comfortable way to stay close to the water. They combine a countryside atmosphere with modern accommodation and private outdoor spaces. For couples or families who like the idea of being beside the lake but don’t want to sleep in a traditional tent, these can be an appealing option.

Glamping Pods

Camping pods offer a simple alternative to putting up a tent.

They provide a timber structure that keeps you closer to nature while giving you protection from the weather. They’re particularly useful for visitors who want to try camping without investing in a full camping setup.

Holiday Chalets

The holiday chalets are a practical choice for families and larger groups. They provide a more straightforward base for people who plan to spend most of their time taking part in activities.

Camping and Touring

For traditional outdoor holidays, Croft Farm has lakeside and non-lakeside camping pitches as well as touring pitches. The site offers a mixture of grass and hardstanding pitches, with electric options available. Camping facilities include:

• Toilets
• Showers
• Laundry
• Dishwashing facilities
• Electric hook-ups on selected pitches
• Clubhouse access
• Bar and café
• Children’s play areas
• Dog-friendly facilities

The site also welcomes tents, caravans and motorhomes.

Which Croft Farm Accommodation Is Best?

Accommodation	Best For	Main Advantage	Consideration
Luxury Lodge	Families and groups	More comfort and space	Higher cost
Lakeside Cabin	Couples and families	Comfortable lakeside setting	More premium option
Glamping Pod	First-time campers	Simple and weather-protected	Less space
Holiday Chalet	Families and groups	Practical accommodation	More basic
Camping	Outdoor enthusiasts	Traditional camping	Weather dependent
Touring	Caravan and motorhome owners	Flexible outdoor stay	Bring your own setup

The best option depends on whether your priority is comfort, adventure, budget or simply being close to the lake.

Is Croft Farm Water Park Good for Families?

Yes. Croft Farm is particularly well suited to families who enjoy outdoor activities. The site welcomes guests of all ages, and its combination of watersports, accommodation and outdoor facilities means families can create very different types of holidays. You could spend the morning learning paddleboarding, have lunch at the park, relax beside the lake and then return to your accommodation. Families also have access to outdoor play areas, while the wider site provides plenty of open space. For parents, the biggest benefit is the ability to combine an activity-focused day with a relaxed evening without having to travel between different attractions.

Is Croft Farm Suitable for Beginners?

Absolutely. You don’t need to be an experienced sailor or windsurfer to visit. The lake is specifically used for teaching, and Croft Farm encourages visitors to take lessons with qualified instructors. For a first visit, activities such as SUP, canoeing or beginner sailing can provide a gentle introduction to the water. More technical activities such as windsurfing and wingsurfing can be approached through tuition. The key is choosing an activity appropriate to your confidence and experience.

Croft Farm for Experienced Watersports Visitors

Experienced visitors also have plenty of reasons to visit. The centre provides facilities for:

• Sailing
• Windsurfing
• Wingsurfing
• SUP
• Canoeing
• Powerboating
• Own craft launching

Day and watersports tickets are available, while specific launch and hire arrangements apply depending on what you’re bringing or using. The on-site watersports shop also stocks equipment and accessories including paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, windsurfing equipment, wetsuits, buoyancy aids and aqua shoes.

Croft Farm Water Park for Groups and Schools

Croft Farm isn’t limited to individual visitors and families. The centre has experience working with larger organisations and schools. Group activities can include:

• Watersports
• Group tuition
• Raft building
• Katakanuing
• Team challenges
• Outdoor activities

The centre can also arrange catered activity packages for groups staying in camping pods or tents. This makes Croft Farm particularly useful for school trips, team-building weekends and organised outdoor groups.

Croft Farm Lakeside Experience

You don’t have to spend every minute participating in watersports. One of the nicest things about the park is that the lake itself provides a relaxing backdrop. You can sit beside the water, watch people sailing or paddleboarding, enjoy a barbecue and simply take in the countryside.

This creates a good balance. One member of a family might want to spend the afternoon windsurfing while another prefers to relax beside the lake. The same applies to groups of friends. Some can participate in activities while others enjoy a slower-paced day.

Food and On-Site Facilities

Croft Farm provides several practical facilities to make an overnight stay easier. These include:

• Clubhouse
• Bar
• Café
• On-site shop
• Laundry
• Toilets and showers
• Children’s play areas
• Dog-walking facilities
• Boat and car parking
• Function room
• Watersports shop
• Health and fitness facilities
• Beauty treatments

The park also has grocery facilities for essential items, while larger supermarkets are available nearby in Tewkesbury.

Croft Farm Water Park Day Trip vs Overnight Stay

Day Visit	Overnight Stay
Good for trying one or two watersports	More time for several activities
Lower overall commitment	Better for a full outdoor holiday
Suitable for beginners	Better for families and groups
Limited time at the lake	Relaxed lakeside experience
No accommodation required	Camping, glamping or lodge options
Easy to fit into a wider trip	Can explore the surrounding area

A day visit makes sense if you’re curious about Croft Farm and want to try a specific activity.

An overnight stay is better if you want to experience the park at a slower pace.

Things to Do Near Croft Farm Water Park

Croft Farm’s location makes it a useful base for exploring the wider area.

Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury is close enough to combine with your Croft Farm visit. You can spend part of the day exploring the town before returning to the park.

The Cotswolds

Croft Farm is well placed for visitors who want to explore the Cotswolds. You can combine an active morning at the lake with an afternoon visiting nearby countryside destinations.

Malvern Hills

The Malvern Hills provide another option for walking and enjoying panoramic countryside views.

Bredon Hill

Bredon Hill is another nearby countryside destination for visitors who enjoy walking.

Forest of Dean

For longer stays, the Forest of Dean can also be added to a wider Gloucestershire itinerary. The park itself describes its camping location as a convenient base for touring the Cotswolds, Malverns, Bredon Hill and Forest of Dean.

Best Time to Visit Croft Farm Water Park

Your ideal visiting time depends heavily on which activities you want to enjoy.

Spring

Spring is a good time for combining watersports with countryside exploration. The weather can still be changeable, so bringing layers and waterproof clothing is sensible.

Summer

Summer is usually the most appealing period for an outdoor activity holiday. Longer days make it easier to combine watersports, walking and time beside the lake. It’s also a popular period for family holidays, so booking accommodation in advance is sensible.

Early Autumn

Early autumn can offer a quieter countryside atmosphere while still providing opportunities for outdoor activities. It’s particularly attractive for visitors who don’t mind cooler temperatures.

Winter

Winter isn’t the best choice if your main goal is to spend every day on the water. The watersports centre has reduced winter availability, and some services operate mainly on weekdays during colder months. Always check the current opening arrangements before travelling during winter.

What to Bring to Croft Farm Water Park

Packing correctly can make your day much easier. Consider bringing:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Water shoes
• Clothes that can get wet
• Waterproof jacket
• Sun protection
• Reusable water bottle
• Waterproof bag
• Change of clothes
• Outdoor footwear

If you’re taking part in watersports, Croft Farm advises participants to bring suitable shoes for the water and clothing they don’t mind getting wet. Depending on the activity, buoyancy aids, wetsuits and helmets can be provided.

Croft Farm Water Park Safety

Safety is particularly important when you’re taking part in watersports. Croft Farm’s watersports centre is RYA training recognised and AALA recognised, with facilities and instruction assessed as part of those standards. Beginners should follow instructor guidance rather than attempting activities beyond their experience level. Children should also be supervised appropriately, even when participating in organised activities.

Remember that lake activities are different from swimming in a controlled pool environment. Follow the site’s safety rules, use the provided equipment correctly and pay attention to weather and water conditions.

What Visitors Like About Croft Farm

Croft Farm’s combination of accommodation and watersports is one of its strongest advantages. Visitors who enjoy outdoor holidays can stay close to the lake and participate in activities without having to travel elsewhere. The site also provides different accommodation styles, so a family can choose between camping, glamping and more comfortable lodge accommodation. The relaxed countryside setting is another major attraction. Rather than feeling like a large commercial attraction, Croft Farm has the atmosphere of an outdoor holiday destination built around its lake. If you’re looking for more lake-based activities, New Forest Water Park offers another exciting way to enjoy the outdoors while experiencing a variety of water attractions.

Things to Consider Before Visiting

Croft Farm is best suited to people who enjoy outdoor experiences. There are a few things to keep in mind.

Weather matters.
Many of the main activities take place outdoors, so conditions can affect your plans.

It’s not a traditional waterpark.
Don’t arrive expecting slides, wave pools, and large swimming attractions.

Watersports availability can vary.
Check the current operating schedule and booking requirements before travelling.

Some activities require tuition or specific arrangements.
If you’re interested in a particular activity, booking ahead is a good idea.

Camping has site rules.
Quiet hours and other conditions are in place to make sure guests can enjoy their stay.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Private lake
The lake provides the foundation for a wide range of outdoor activities.

Excellent watersports variety
Visitors can try sailing, SUP, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and more.

Beginner-friendly tuition
Qualified instruction makes it easier for newcomers to get started.

Family-friendly
The site welcomes families and provides activities and play facilities.

Camping and glamping
There are several ways to stay close to nature.

Luxury lodges
Visitors who prefer comfort can avoid traditional camping.

Great location
The park is close to Tewkesbury and within reach of several countryside destinations.

Good for groups
School groups, clubs and team-building groups can take part in organised activities.

Cons

Not a conventional waterpark
There are no large water slides or wave pool attractions.

Weather dependent
Outdoor activities can be affected by weather conditions.

Seasonal watersports
Winter availability is more limited.

Some activities need advance arrangements
Tuition and certain experiences should be booked ahead.

Camping rules apply
Guests need to follow site conditions, including quiet hours.

Is Croft Farm Water Park Worth Visiting?

If you’re expecting a traditional waterpark, Croft Farm may not be what you have in mind. But if you’re looking for an outdoor watersports destination with camping, glamping and lodge accommodation, it can be an excellent choice. Its biggest strength is variety. You can learn to sail, try paddleboarding, go kayaking, practise windsurfing or simply relax beside the lake. Families can choose between active days and quieter evenings, while experienced watersports users can bring their own equipment or use the available facilities.

The accommodation options make the experience even more convenient. Instead of driving home after a day on the water, you can stay beside the lake and continue enjoying the countryside.

FAQs 

Conclusion

Croft Farm Water Park is best thought of as a lakeside adventure and holiday destination rather than a traditional water park. Its private lake supports a wide selection of watersports, while the surrounding holiday park provides camping, glamping and luxury lodge accommodation. It’s particularly well suited to: Families, Couples, Friends, Watersports beginners, Experienced outdoor enthusiasts, School groups, Team-building groups. The combination of activities and accommodation is what makes Croft Farm stand out. Visitors who enjoy watersports may also be interested in Kingsbury Water Park, another excellent destination for outdoor activities and family-friendly adventures.

 You can spend the morning learning to paddleboard, enjoy lunch beside the lake, relax in your accommodation and then explore the surrounding countryside. For anyone looking for a more active alternative to a conventional holiday park, Croft Farm Water Park offers a refreshing mix of adventure, relaxation and outdoor living.