Our car parks are operated on an ANPR system managed by Gemini (or Apcoa) Parking Solutions. All the machines are cashless, you can pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay at the machine,  via the Y Pay App;  or by scanning a Scanpay QR code on site. Alternatively you can sign up to Hozah to make automatic payments whenever you enter the park. 

Charges are: 20 minutes free – for drop off and pick ups

1 Hour - £1.50

3 Hours - £6.00

All day - £10.00

Anglers pay £1.50 for all day parking, please make payment at the machine and register your car registration with the Bailiff"

Watersports users – concessions apply, please speak to your instructor at the start of your session.

Local residents and Blue Badge holders can register for reduced parking rates by completing the relevant form below and sending the application to Stanborough Park, Stanborough Rd, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6DF or by email to stanborough@gll.org

The money from charging is all used to look after the lakes, open spaces and facilities – investment that is much-needed with the park continuing to attract very high numbers of visitors.
Advance warning on good weather days & school holidays the car parks become very busy. If car park full sign is displayed please do not enter car park.

Blue Badge Holder Application Form

Residents Application Form

At the centre, we have a fleet of RS Sailing Boats, a variety of Kayaks & Canoes, 2 Bell-boats along with our Red & Riber Stand Up Paddleboards. We also have raft building and team building equipment. See Activities for more information on what the water sports centre offers.

This location is open for the season weather permitting, and will remain open through to the last Sunday in September. The outdoor gym and sports pitch will be open all year round.

Splashlands features a paddling river meandering through a 600m² splash pad water play area. It is surrounded by a nautical themed adventure playground with a large pirate ship and a variety of play equipment for children of all ages.

The splash pad has 67 jets split into toddler and kid zones which shoot up to 1.5m in the air with pads that activate water sprays when they are jumped on.

An outdoor gym and sports pitch provides teenagers and adults with a range of new health and fitness activity options.

Entrance to Splashlands is free and it will be open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm, or dusk if earlier.

You may have to queue for entry during busier periods and we politely request users spend an hour in the Splash Pad to ensure that as many people can enjoy Splashlands as possible. 

The carparks will be busier during the school holidays the car parks become very busy. Please leave plenty of time to find a car parking space & pay for parking.

It may take longer for you to find a parking space during busier /peak periods as the carparks will be busier at these times.

The South Lake

Along side the Watersports Centre is our 16-acre multi-use lake is home to:

Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club - Established in 1973, WGCSC race on Sunday Mornings all year round and in the summer they run leisure sailing sessions one day a week.

For more information on how to join the Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club please log on to: https://www.wgcsc.org.uk/

Welwyn Garden City Angling Club - Formed in 1946, they have nearly 500 members. Offering a varied range of venues, rivers and lakes. Stanborough Park Lake is open all year round.

The North Lake

Rowing boats & Pedalos are available to hire from our boathouse.

Opening times:

April – September – Weekends and school holidays only

Model Boating Lake – Situated at the far end of the North lake, is used for regular meetings of the Welwyn Garden City Society of Model Engineers.

Advance warning on good weather days & school holidays the car parks become very busy. Please leave plenty of time to find a car parking space & pay for parking.

North side - Splashlands Kiosk

Serving hot and cold beverages, snacks and ice creams

Opening times:

Daily from 10.00am

January – December

South side - Terranova Café & Restaurant

Operated by a separate company – www.terranovaresturants.com

Opening times:

November – March – Daytime - Week-ends only

April – October – Daytime - 7 Days a week

Event Field & Parkland

Events Field

Behind the Centre is our events field; every year our regular schedule of events include:

Locks Fun Fair - Easter and Summer school holidays

Cancer Research – Race 4 Life & Pretty Muddy in May

Cyclo cross events in the Autumn & winter.

Animal Welfare

If you need to report an animal in distress at the park, please contact either Swan Rescue on 01932 240790, Waterfowl rescue on 07901 562796 or the RSPCA on 0300 1230 0704