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 24hrs - the changing places facility is open from 7.30am to 4.30pm
- Splash park
- Play area
- Nature reserve
- Angling
- Bird Hides
- Golf
- Barbeque hire
- 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 however, they are not permitted in the nature reserve, children's play area, splash park and golf courses (during 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, in the designated BBQ’s areas only
- 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 of £30 for families or community groups and £90 for corporate or wedding groups
- 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 hold deposits for one month only after the booking date, they must be collected within this time.
- Corporate groups or weddings BBQ hire cost - £210
- Family and community groups BBQ hire cost - £70
BBQ booking can be made at swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can call 01793 490150.
Splash Park
The Splash Park will re-open at the end of May 2025, closing in late Summer, weather and temperature dependant.
Fires and BBQs are not permitted in the Splash Park.
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.