Coate Water Country Park Lake Walk
Wiltshire
Coate Water was created in 1822 by damming the River Cole to feed the Wilts and Berks Canal, and when the canal failed the 70 acre lake became Swindon's playground, its flat paths still an easy circuit for an older dog or a puppy today. A wooden diving board went up in 1914, replaced in 1935 by the 10 metre concrete Art Deco diving platform that still stands in the water and is now Grade II listed, although swimming stopped in 1958. The lake also inspired the New Sea in Richard Jefferies' Bevis books. The popular circuit round the lake is 1.75 miles, or 2.8km, and takes about 45 minutes at a gentle pace on firm, level paths through parkland and past wildflower meadows, with almost no climbing.
This is a dog friendly walk, but there are clear no-go areas. Swindon Borough Council allows dogs in the country park but not in the nature reserve, the children's play area, the Splash Park or on the golf course during its season. The lake and its margins are a Site of Special Scientific Interest for breeding birds, so keep dogs out of the water and away from the reeds, particularly in spring and summer. The open grass gives space for a dog with good recall away from the busy lakeside path. There is no livestock. The cafe and toilets are by the main car park at the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.8 km (1.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 50 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe and toilets (including a Changing Places toilet) by the main car park; miniature railway on some days.
- Parking
- Coate Water Country Park car park off Marlborough Road, Swindon Borough Council.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Coate Water Country Park Lake Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Rough Grounds Farmhouse
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £2,100 / 7 nights
Old Stable - Cirencester
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £494 / 7 nights
Cotswolds - Thames Head Barn
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £662 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in WiltshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Coate Water Country Park Lake Walk dog friendly?
Coate Water Country Park is a dog-friendly destination, earning a 7 out of 10 on our rating. Dogs are welcome throughout the country park, and the 1.75-mile lake circuit makes for a relaxed outing on firm, level paths. Just be aware that certain areas — the nature reserve, children's play area, Splash Park, and golf course during its season — are off-limits to dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at Coate Water Country Park Lake Walk?
The open grassy areas around the park do give dogs with solid recall room to stretch their legs away from the busier lakeside path. That said, the lake margins are a Site of Special Scientific Interest for breeding birds, so dogs should be kept well away from the water and the reeds — especially in spring and summer. There is no livestock on the walk, which is a plus.
What should I know before visiting Coate Water Country Park Lake Walk with my dog?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the lake and its edges are protected for breeding birds, so please keep your dog out of the water and away from the reeds, particularly in the warmer months. The circuit itself is wonderfully flat and easy — well suited to older dogs or puppies — and there are a cafe and toilets right by the main car park if you need them. Dogs are not permitted in the nature reserve, children's play area, Splash Park, or on the golf course during its season.
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