The diving board at Coate Water, Swindon

Swindon - about 20 miles from our training center at Melksham - is a town that's boomed in recent years. The Wilts and Berks Canal was built through the area and completed in 1810, and the North Wilts Canal joined it at a junction in Swindon - officially opened in 1819.

The "Wilts and Berks" has now been closed for the best part of 100 years although there's some restoration going on (we're hopeful that it will be open from Semington through Melksham to Lacock in the foreseeable future, for example), but some works remain. Coate Water is the canal's old reservoir in Swindon and it's an Oasis of fresh air for that town.

Map locator - Coate_Water


A charming path up to Coate Water

The reservoir remains in water and a popular spot with joggers and walkers in the evening and at the weekend. In the distance, you can see the Marlborough Downs, and you can stop for a bite of food at "The Sun" just outside the park area.


Coate Water

In past times, Coate Water was available for outdoor swimming and a diving structure was built. These days, it's isolated in the lake like a great sculpture and it's very much a part of the character of Coate Water


Course of the old canal in Swindon

The course of the old canal runs through the centre of Swindon and then forms a main road out to the Magicroundabout. Then it becomes a pleasant walk.

(See also Melksham, Avebury, Devizes, Nearmelksham, Railwayhistory and Westbury)