Coate Water Park
Coate Water is a country park situated 5 km 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
Coate Water Park
Marlborough Rd
Swindon
SN3 6AA
Tel: 01793 490150
Email: swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk
Park facilities
- Ranger centre and information point
- Car park
- Café
- Toilets
- Splash park (open daily between 11.00am and 4.00pm from Saturday, 27 May)
- Play area
- Nature reserve
- Events programme
- Angling
- Bird Hides
- Golf (closed until further notice)
- Barbeque hire
- Education service
- Easirider (currently unavailable due to repair work)
- Wheelchair access
Details of the parks miniature railway can also be found on the Coate Water Miniature Railway website.
Dogs are allowed in the country park, but restrictions apply to the nature reserve, children's play area, splash park, and golf course.
Barbeque hire
Costs for large static BBQ hire:
| BBQ hire | Price |
|---|---|
| Large BBQ and 1/3 of the horse field | £67.00 |
| Corporate groups or large groups of over 100 people | £200.00 |
| Bring your own | £20.00 |
This price includes full use a 1/3 of the horse field and a permanent BBQ.
Family and community groups are able to pay on the day. Corporate groups are asked to pay in advance.
All cheques should be made payable to Swindon Borough Council.
For further information call 01793 490150 or email: swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk.
For large groups of 20 or more
If you have a group of 20 or more people you will need to book out the static BBQ that is now situated in the horse field.
Splash park
The Splash park is open daily between 11.00am and 4.00pm from Saturday, 27 May.
The nature reserve
Here is a quiet haven for wildlife. Deer and fox can be regularly seen in the wildflower meadows. A large heronry has become established which can be viewed from the bird hides. Permits are available in advance from the Activity 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.