Coate Water

Coate Water is a country park on the southeast edge of Swindon. It takes its name from its main feature, a large reservoir originally built to provide water for the Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal. Now it's main use is as a leisure destination, and as a nature reserve.

The northern section of the park is geared towards leisure activities, with a strong focus on being family friendly, with a water play park, miniature railway, café, with mini and pitch and putt golf. There is also a boating club where it's not uncommon to see rowers on the water.

The south eastern section of the lake is set aside as a nature reserve, with two bird hides which let you view across the water. With a heronry in the reserve, there is a large colony and it is very common to see heron at the waters edge. You are also likely to see many swans, including a resident black swan, geese, ducks, grebes and egret. In the surrounding fields it is not uncommon to see deer, pheasants and foxes.

A popular fishing spot, there are many pontoons on the waters edge which give you some great views across the water to watch the water birds from.

At the south western end of the park there is a woodland section where a large number of songbirds reside. Being used to humans they are very comfortable to fly down to bird feeding tables, letting you see them up close.

Access to the bird hides requires registration and there is a fee to use them, which is best arranged at the mini golf kiosk on the opposite side of the lake.