Fun For The Good | Blog #10

Quick review (with pictures):

Coate Water Country Park | Swindon

We had a lovely trip to Coate Water Country Park in Swindon early last month. It has a huge lake, lots of walking trails, a great children’s play area, as well as a pitch and putt, crazy golf, splash park and miniature railway. Plenty to keep you busy for the day!

Here’s my quick review of Coate Water:

Location

Coate Water Country Park, Marlborough Road, Swindon SN3 6AA.

Car park

There are a number of car park areas leading up to the lakeside, so it could be a short or a longer walk, depending on where you end up.

Parking is pay and display – up to two hours is £2.30, two to 24 hours is £4.80.

Public transport

You can get a bus from the bus station near Swindon train station to just outside the park entrance. There’s then a footpath that leads you to the lakeside.

Coate Water Country Park description

“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.”

Steph Martin Creative description

“Enjoy time in nature, with lakeside walks, outdoor play, and miniature railway rides at Coate Water Country Park.”

Overall rating

10/10. We had lovely weather for our trip and were impressed with the size of the lake, ease of using the paths and the equipment at the playground.

We didn’t do any other activities as we were either out of season, visiting on a day when things were closed (more details below) or didn’t have time, but that just means we want to go back again.

Activities

Play area

Swindon Borough Council spent £500k a couple of years ago for a new play park to be built. It’s a really good sized park and has areas suitable for older and younger children. You can see an illustration of the original proposal here, which I think is how it looked when we visited.

Lake and hiking trails

You can do a circular walk of the lake, which is 1.75 miles. It took us about an hour at a slow pace and was suitable for pushing a buggy around. There are also different trails that lead off from the lake.

Attractions we didn’t visit but would if we went again

Splash park

The splash park is free and open daily, 11am-6pm, from the late May bank holiday until the end of September, weather dependent.

5″ and 7.25″ Dual Gauge Miniature Railway

The miniature railway is open on Sundays and bank holidays, weather permitting. It costs £2pp and you can request a wheelchair accessible carriage. You can keep up to date with opening times on Facebook.

Pitch and putt and crazy golf

I think the difference between pitch and putt and crazy golf (which I thought were the same thing!) is pitch and putt is like a shorter version of a standard golf course and crazy golf is played with different, fun obstacles in the way of the hole.

Pitch and putt is £6. Crazy golf is £4. It’s open everyday 11am-6pm, except Wednesday. Opening is weather dependent and times change in the autumn.

Places to eat

Coate Water Cafe is a kiosk on the lakeside, selling hot food, ice-creams and cakes. There’s no inside seating but it’s open seven days a week, 10am-4.30pm, weather dependent.

You can also enjoy picnics around the lake and playground and there is an option to have a BBQ (not a disposable one, though).

Accessibility

The playground, splash park and miniature railway have been designed to be wheelchair accessible and there is a changing places toilet. Some of the lakeside is paved but from memory, there were some dirt paths, so could be difficult to navigate and muddy when wet. You can find out more on the Coate Water website.

Return rating

10/10 would go again.

Cost

The playground, lakeside walks and splash park are completely free, which is great, so you could have a whole day out (minus parking costs) without spending money.

I do think the miniature railway and golf costs are quite reasonable, too, but obviously would mount up if you’re paying for a lot of people.

You can find out more about Coate Water Country Park at www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20077/parks_and_open_spaces/487/coate_water_park

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