The Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved the use of the eastern lake at Cosmeston Country Park to pilot an outdoor water park for the remaining summer months.
The new attraction – in partnership with the Aqua Park Group – will feature an inflatable obstacle course, including climbing walls, trampolines and giant slides.
It is expected that the Aqua Park will be open in time for the school summer holidays on Saturday 5th July 2025, and will remain open until mid-September.
Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Aqua Park to the eastern lake at Cosmeston for the summer season this year.
“The Aqua Park will be another great addition to the already fantastic offer at Cosmeston Country Park as the Council continues to promote sustainable tourism and leisure activities in the area.
“Consultation with residents through the Council’s placemaking work has shown there is appetite locally – particularly among young people – for more varied leisure activities, and the re-introduction of water-based activities at Cosmeston will help us to ensure that our Country Parks are for everyone.
“Trying new things is at the heart of what we do as an ambitious Council, and this pilot could also enable further income opportunities for our Country Parks – especially in supporting the re-wilding and conservation work already underway at Cosmeston.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has worked with a number of partner agencies to ensure that the lake is safe for Aqua Park visitors to enjoy – including a detailed programme of water testing work.
The eastern lake at Cosmeston has previously been used for a variety of activities – including boating, canoeing and paddleboarding – and the Aqua Park will have on-site security to reduce any opportunities for anti-social behaviour – including unauthorised camping, lighting of fires, vandalism, fly-tipping.
Visitors who wish to visit the Aqua Park must be aged six and over, 1.2m tall and able to swim 25 metres unaided to take part.
Lifeguards will be on duty throughout the day, both in and out of the water.
Connor James, founder of Aqua Park Cardiff, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Aqua Park Cardiff to Cosmeston Lakes by partnering with The Vale of Glamorgan Council.
“The Country Park is a fantastic venue for our exciting watersport experience, perfect for supervised adventure and family fun. With an exciting new course of obstacles, we can’t wait to welcome visitors to our incredible new home.”
“We are also really excited to be playing our part in giving people and families much-needed access to active outdoor experience, in a controlled and supervised environment to help boost their physical and mental well-being.”
“With household budgets likely to be limited again this year, we’ve got an amazing offer on our Aqua Park Season Passes, which means people can book up to twice a week for the whole summer giving families an easy and cost-effective way to keep the kids active throughout a staycation summer.”
Tickets for the Aqua Park are due to go on sale on Monday 2nd June 2025, with set-up work at the eastern lake expected to take place from the 9th June 2025.
