Thinking about having a bbq at coate water park on a sunday during the summer months - july/august time, but what does everyone think?Whatever the season, Coate Water offers the visitor a great day out, whether you want to relax or participate in more energetic activities. With energy to burn you could try your hand at the pitch and putt or one of the orienteering courses. If you just want to relax, there are areas to fish, bird watch, play, picnic, barbecue, and even tranquil places to unwind on busy days. If you want to venture further afield there are a number of walks to local villages, and a longer seven-mile (11km) walk to Barbury Castle.
Coate Water Country Park has a 56-acre reservoir built in the 1820s as a headwater tank for the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal. In the 1970s a smaller lake was created as a flood storage lagoon, which was made Wiltshire’s first Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in 1976. Most of the site and all the water have been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), in order to protect the wildlife and wildflower meadows.
Coate Water Ranger Centre and Information Point is found in the Coate Water car park (please see map below - How to find Coate Water ). It was originally built in the 1820’s and was used as accommodation for the water bailiff.
Within the Ranger Centre you will find the following: -
An exhibition room with a permanent display on Coate Water and its history dating back to the 1800’s. Visitor information is available from the Centre including information on the Ranger Events, Great Western Community Forest sites and walks, Westonbirt, Cycle Maps and other outdoor attractions in the area. You can also register for your Swindon Card at the Centre. Qualified First Aiders and First Aid Equipment
Park Facilities:
Ranger centre and information point Café Toilets, Paddling pool, Play area, Cycle hire, Nature reserve, Events programme, Bird hides, Pitch and putt, Mini golf, Coarse fishing, Barbecue hire, Education service, Easirider, Wheelchair access,