Coate Water Park
Coate Water is a country park situated 5km to the southeast of central Swindon, near junction 15 of the M4.
The Coate Water Ranger Centre and information point is situated in the car park.
The park is open all year round, 24 hours per day.
How to find us
Tel: 07824 550463
Email: swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk
Park facilities
- Ranger centre and information point
- Car park
- Café
- Toilets - plus an “all access” disabled toilet facility, see the changing places website. Toilets at Coate Water are open 24 hours - the changing places facility is open from 7.30am to 4.30pm.
- Splash park
- Play area
- Nature reserve
- Angling
- Bird Hides
- Golf
- Barbeque hire
- Wheelchair access
- Miniature railway
Dogs are allowed in the country park however, they are not permitted in the nature reserve, children's play area, Splash Park or golf courses during the open season.
Drones or UAV’s are not permitted anywhere on site.
Barbeque hire
- All disposable BBQ’s are banned from Coate Water Country Park
- Bring-your-own BBQ’s are FREE of charge, only in the designated BBQ areas
- All BBQ’s must be off the ground and taken away after use
- When hiring our BBQs, you are required to pay a cash deposit (see below)
- Deposits will not be refunded if you cancel within seven days of the booking date and/or the area is not clean and tidy after use. We will only hold deposits for one month after the booking date so they must be collected within this time.
BBQ hire cost
- Corporate groups or weddings - £210 (£90 deposit)
- Family and community groups - £70 (£30 deposit)
BBQ bookings can be made via email at: swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk or by calling 01793 490150.
The nature reserve
Permits are available in advance from the ranger centre.
Walks
There are several walks in and around the park, many of which are level and surfaced making them suitable for wheelchair users.
The most popular route is around the lake. This is 1.75 miles (2.8km) long and takes about 45 minutes at a gentle pace.
For longer walks there are routes to Hodson, Chiseldon and Barbury Castle.
The woodland
In the wetter areas of the woodland you will find willow and ash with oak and birch on drier ground. These large mature trees provide an attractive backdrop to the lake and a home to many woodland birds.
Lake habitats
This is a valuable nesting site for waterfowl, reed bunting and warblers in the spring and summer. The lakes also provide an important habitat for dragonflies and damselflies, along with a wide range of fish such as carp, bream and pike.