A great place to bring the kids Walk around the lake, play mini golf and ride a train.

Would give 5 stars..... but only when they sort out their parking machines (currently all are out of order and you have to faff via phone and worse if you don't have your banking app on your phone, you're stumped). Otherwise a beautiful walk around the lake, which takes just over an hour, great for bird watching and just a peace of calm. Great to see lots of bins too.

A beautiful lake with a huge variety of birds. Lots of fun activities for the children and a hut selling tea, coffee,fantastic cakes and ice creams for all.

What a wonderful walk in the coate water country park, a day for family picnic, children to play and adults just to relax.

Located on the south-eastern edge of Swindon, Coate Water Country Park is a landscape of dual identities. At its heart lies a 56-acre reservoir, originally carved out in the 1820s as a feeder for the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal. Today, it has evolved into a sophisticated leisure destination and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), celebrated for its rare blend of 19th-century engineering, Art Deco elegance, and untouched wildlife habitats. The park’s silhouette is famously defined by the 1935 Diving Platform, a Grade II-listed concrete masterpiece that stands as a silent monument to the era of outdoor lido culture. Surrounding this architectural relic are lush wildflower meadows, dense reedbeds, and tranquil woodland trails that have inspired generations. This very landscape shaped the imagination of the renowned nature writer Richard Jefferies, who grew up nearby and immortalized the area in his classic "Bevis" books. Whether you are exploring the northern leisure zone with its miniature railway and splash park or retreating to the southeastern Nature Reserve—home to a thriving heronry and deer—Coate Water offers a refined escape where history and biodiversity meet. Tips for your visit: • The Lake Circuit: The most popular route is the 1.75-mile (2.8km) loop around the lake. It is level and surfaced, making it perfect for a gentle 45-minute stroll or a smooth cycle ride with views of the historic diving stage. • Birdwatcher’s Haven: The park has several bird hides overlooking the reedbeds and shallows. To access them, you can register and pay a small fee at the mini-golf kiosk. Look out for the resident black swan and kingfishers. • Art Deco Photography: For the best photos of the iconic diving platform, visit at sunrise or sunset. The cantilevered concrete design creates dramatic shadows across the water that are a dream for architectural photographers. • Miniature Railway: If visiting on a weekend, don’t miss the Coate Water Miniature Railway. It’s a charming way to see the park’s landscape and is a hit with both children and enthusiasts of vintage engineering. Coate Water Country Park is a resilient and evocative sanctuary that honors Swindon’s industrial past while providing a lush, high-vibrational green space for the modern traveler. 🌳🦆🚆