Coombe Abbey Park - Print version

Opening times

Seasonal opening times

Coombe Abbey Park will be open on Christmas Day, however all facilities including toilets will be closed. 

The Information centre will be closed from 24 December until 2 January 2024 inclusive. 

Café in the Park and Artisan Market 

All opening times will be weather dependent, and times could change or units not open so please do check our Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/CoombeCafeInThePark] for up-to-date information. 

• 23 December open 9am - 4pm 
• 24 December Christmas Eve open 9am - 4pm 
• 25 December Christmas Day - closed 
• 26 Boxing Day open 10am - 4pm 
• 27 December open 9am – 4pm  
• 28 December open 9am - 4pm 
• 29 December open 9am - 4pm 
• 30 December open 9am - 4pm 
• 31 December open 9am - 4pm 
• 1 January New Year's Day open 10am – 4pm 

 Go Ape Coventry

• 23 December open 
• 24 December Christmas Eve closed 
• 25 December Christmas Day closed 
• 26 Boxing Day closed 
• 27 December open 
• 28 December open 
• 29 December open 
• 30 December open 
• 31 December open 
• 1 January New Year's Day closed 
• 2 January open 

For more information or to book a session please visit their website at https://goape.co.uk/locations/coventry [https://goape.co.uk/locations/coventry] 

Please remember that BBQs, camping stoves and open fires are strictly not permitted in any of our parks and open spaces.

Visitor Centre

• Open daily between 10am and 4pm unless otherwise stated.
• Information Centre open 10am - 3pm daily

Car park

• Main car park (including Blue Badge bays): Our car park is open from 5am to 8pm daily - you will still be able to exit the car park after this time.
• Additional Blue Badge parking at the Visitor Centre: 8am to 4pm

Visiting Coombe Abbey Park

For a family day out, or a quiet little picnic, visit Coombe Abbey Park. It offers 500 acres of beautiful gardens, woodland, lakeside walks, and bird watching. The diverse "Capability" Brown designed landscape makes it ideal for everyone, from families to wildlife enthusiasts and those just looking for a quiet stroll in the woodland.

Coombe has won many awards [/info/2000675/coombe_country_park/1891/quality_management_and_awards] for its quality and excellence in management, conservation, visitor experience and education including SSSI status for 40 years, Green Flag (parks and green spaces excellence award), Green Flag Heritage Award status, Visit England's Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme and Natural England's Country Park accreditation and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence [http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186403-d214038-Reviews-Coombe_Abbey_Country_Park-Coventry_West_Midlands_England.html#REVIEWS] for consistently high ratings in our customer reviews.

• Visitor guide and map [/downloads/download/1858/coombe_country_park_visitor_guide] - paper copies are also available in the cafe at the Visitor Centre
• Accessibility information [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coombe-country-park/coombe-abbey-park-accessibility-guide]

Please be aware:

• Barbecues, camping stoves and open fires are not permitted at Coombe Abbey Park, and you will be asked by park staff to extinguish these if they are found in use.
• Byelaws prohibit the flying of Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The flying of drones is not permitted in the Council’s parks and open spaces.
• At times we have duckweed in the lake and pool which makes the surface of the water appear bright green. Please make sure that young children are supervised closely in these areas.

How to get here

Get directions to Coombe [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir//Coombe+Country+Park+Visitor+Centre,+Coventry/@52.4120481,-1.4440749,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x487748e92e30e263:0x1f48205d0687bc90!2m2!1d-1.4090556!2d52.4120009]

• By rail: Coventry City Centre is well served by the national rail network, followed by a 20-minute bus journey (see below)
• By road: On the B4027
• By bus: No-85 National Express Coventry. View the timetable [https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/services-timetables/85-coventry-rugby].
• By foot: The Centenary Way public footpath runs from Coventry through Coombe Abbey Park. View details of the Centenary Way footpath [https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Centenary+Way+(Warwickshire)].
• By cycle: A popular traffic-free cycle route to Coombe Abbey from Coventry would be to use the Public Bridleway from Faber Road in Walsgrave, close to the end of Binley Cycleway. This connects with the Centenery Way footpath, which passes through the country park. Please note the cycles do not have right of way on a footpath, so you may need to dismount. Cycling is permitted on bridleways, but please be mindful around horses and pedestrians, and be prepared to slow down or stop. Please note that cycling is welcomed at Coombe but please be respectful to other park users, especially young families. There are bike chains, a pump and tools outside the visitor centre in case any repairs are needed.

Car park prices

Charges are related to the length of your visit with fees starting from as little as £1.

1. Take a ticket at the entrance barrier
2. Retain your ticket until the end of your visit and pay for your stay on exit at one of our four pay stations three of which are cashless and situated in the car park and one which accepts cash and card at the Visitor Centre.

The system involves a barrier and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

For standard day tickets, visitors are required to take a ticket and pay on exit according to how long they have stayed. Season ticket holders will not require a physical ticket to enter and exit the car park as their vehicle registration numbers will be automatically recognised when they approach the barrier.

Please note that entry to the car park is permitted from 5am until 8pm daily - we do not permit overnight parking.

Car park charges

Day tickets 

Drop off time of 10 minutes free of charge.

• Up to 1 hour: £1.00
• 1-2 hours: £3.50
• 2-4 hours: £4.00
• Day Ticket: £5.00
• Minibus tariff: £13.00
• Coach tariff: £35.00
• Motorcycles -  No charge

Discounts for Blue Badge and GoCV plus holders

Season tickets

Seasons tickets offer excellent value for money offering unlimited parking at the park for 12 months from date of purchase. Up to two cars registered at the same address may be on the same season ticket, however only one vehicle may use the ticket at a time.

• Car 12 Month Season Ticket - £65.00
• Car 12 Month Season Ticket (GoCV plus and Blue Badge) - £40.00
• Mini Bus 12 Month Season Ticket - £135.00
• Mini Bus 12 Month Season Ticket (Blue Badge) - £65.00

Please contact the Information Centre to purchase a season ticket on 024 7645 3720.

Please be aware the we do not have electric charging points in any of our car parks.

What to do at Coombe

Coombe Abbey Park offers a wide range of facilities, including:

• Visitor Centre - Open every day 10am to 4pm
• Discovery Centre - Open  10am - 3:30pm. Find out more about the woodland, wetlands and grasslands of the park with our interactive exhibits for children.
• Information Centre- Open 10am - 3pm daily. Here you can pick up a map of the park, or one of our trail guides. Find out what you can see in the park today and you can ask one of our friendly members of staff for any information you need.
• Cafe in the Park operated by Coombe Abbey Hotel - See Food and Drink [/info/136/coombe_country_park/498/coombe_country_park/6] also Sundae Club, Ice cream parlour and the Kiosk in the Park are additional cafe facilities situated at the visitor centre and Top Pool.
• Coombe Abbey Woodturners [https://www.facebook.com/coombeabbeywoodturners/]  - Meet regularly on Tuesdays and Sundays  - members of the public are most welcome to have a go at this traditional craft.
• Public Toilets - Visitor Centre Toilets will close approx 30 minutes before park closes and Top Pool Toilets at approx 3:30pm daily. See park opening times [/info/136/coombe_country_park/498/coombe_country_park/2] for any seasonal changes.
• Accessible Toilet and Baby Changing Facility - Please ask for the key at the information centre, Cafe in the Park or use your radar key.
• Dog water stations and tether points - located on the outside of the Visitor Centre.
• Activities and Events - Please have a look at our range of events [/coombeevents] catering to all ages
• Go Ape - Coombe Abbey is Go Ape's 34th UK location and there’s plenty to Go Ape about. Set in the beautiful grounds of our 500 acre estate, it offers the perfect backdrop for adventure. You’ll find vertigo-inducing platforms, stomach-wrenching crossings and high speeds zips you’ll want to do again and again. Featuring the Plummet - a stomach-churning 12-metre vertical drop - and boasting an exclusive Alpine zip-to-zip. Book Go Ape Coventry [https://www.goape.co.uk/coventry].

Three purpose built play areas

• Visitor Centre Play Area - Designed for under 12s
• Climbing Forest - A more challenging and exciting play area for your little monkeys with cargo nets and climbing posts surrounded by Coombe's woodland. Suitable for children 8 years and over, children under 15 must have adult supervision at all times.
• Hermit's Hollow [https://www.theavenueatcoombe.co.uk/hermits-hollow-play-park/]  Coombe Abbey Park's brand new play area full of adventure, where children can clamber amongst the tree tops on the Canopy Spire or explore Hermit's Talking Tube or whizz back down to ground in the spiralling tube. Lots of adventure to be had in this 'Pay to play' facility. More information and how to book [https://www.theavenueatcoombe.co.uk/hermits-hollow-play-park/].

500 acres of parkland and wildlife to discover

• Trails and Walks - Accessible routes are marked in the Visitor Guide, however, you can contact the Visitor Centre for more information about suitable routes. Why not download our Historic Coombe Trail [/downloads/file/33972/coombe_heritage_booklet] and take yourself on a Historic walk around the park.
• Access to Long Distance Walking  Routes -  Centenary Way [http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Centenary+Way+(Warwickshire)] and Sowe Valley Footpath [/downloads/file/7287/the_sowe_valley_footpath_map] accessible from Coombe
• Bird Hide and SSSI - Our accessible bird hide is a popular spot to watch birds all year round and view the Heronry. Coombe's conservation area was first recognised as a SSSI (Site of Scientific Interest) over 40 years ago. This responsibly managed site remains a stellar sight for many birdwatchers  
• Formal Gardens and Arboretum - Historic Victorian Gardens maintained in the original design of 19th century gardeners Nesfield and Miller
• Capability Brown - View our guide to discover the work Lancelot 'Capability' Brown did at Coombe [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/capabilitybrown] 
• Old Deer Park - Stunning parkland landscaped by "Capability" Brown where historically Deer would have grazed. Walks in this area offer stunning views of the park and the Abbey, historical interpretation and sight of the beginnings of restoration of this park area.
• Wildflower Meadow - A sensory experience filled with the sights, smells and sounds of the flora and fauna. Open April to September.
• Dog Walking - Coombe is a dog-friendly park [/info/136/coombe_abbey_park/498/coombe_abbey_park/7] with designated off lead areas.
• Pond Dipping Stations - Bring a bucket ( or an empty ice cream tub), and a fishing net to see what you can find and use our permanent identification boards to identify what you find.
• Duck and Swan Feeding Area - A favourite for all ages both at the main lake and Top Pool. The feed is available to buy at the Information Centre priced at £1 a bag.
• Orienteering - Permanent course on site. Orienteering maps (£1.20) available to buy from the Information Centre.
• Coombe Pool Fishery [/info/2000675/coombe_country_park/503/coombe_country_park_fishery] - Premier coarse fishery: day tickets and season tickets available
• Events and activities - Take a look at what's going on at Coombe Abbey Park
• Educational facilities [/info/2000675/coombe_country_park/504/education_at_coombe_country_park] - The Outdoor Education Team offer a wide variety of environmental and Outdoor educational programmes for schools and groups. Take a look on their webpage at what they can offer.
• Virgin Balloon Flights [http://www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/location/coventry-coombe-country-park/] - Please contact Virgin Balloons on 0844 576 0230 or view their website for further information or to make a booking.

Eating and drinking at Coombe

On-site cafes take card and contactless payments only.

Cafe in the Park, Kiosk in the Park, Sundae Club and the ice cream kiosk

Cafe in the Park, Kiosk in the Park, Sundae Club and the ice cream kiosk are operated by No Ordinary Hospitality Management.

The cafe is licensed to serve alcohol with a full menu, serving something for everyone to enjoy.

Kiosk in the Park is situated at Top Pool Lodge.

Opening times for Cafe in the Park

• Monday to Friday: 9:00am until 4:00pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 8:30am until 5pm*

Opening times for Kiosk in the Park, Sundae club and ice cream kiosk

Summer opening hours

Saturday and Sunday only: 1am - 4pm

*Opening and closing times may vary and are subject to change - please call Cafe in the Park 024 7645 6231 for more information.

Menus

Download and print the Cafe in the Park menu [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/5304/cafe_in_the_park_menu].

Picnics 

We welcome picnics at Coombe Abbey Park. There are picnic benches throughout the park for your convenience, including two accessible benches near the blue badge car park. Please ask at the Visitor Centre for more details.

Help us to keep Coombe tidy by collecting up your litter and taking it home with you. 

Barbecues, camping stoves and open fires

Barbecues, camping stoves and open fires are not permitted at Coombe Abbey Park and you will be asked to extinguish these by park staff.

Dogs

Download our You and Your Dog at Coombe leaflet [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/29230/you_and_your_dog_at_coombe].

Leads

Coombe Abbey Park is a great place to bring your dog for a walk. We have a huge amount of parkland available for exercising your dog on and off the lead.

Most of the park is a 'dogs on lead' area to protect wildlife, formal gardens area, natural habitat and other visitors, however we still allow dogs to be exercised off the lead in designated areas as shown on the map [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/29230/you_and_your_dog_at_coombe] as long as they are under control. You can always ask a member of staff if you are not sure which areas dogs are permitted to be exercised off the lead.

Dog waste

You must clean up after your dog – bag it and bin it. All our general litter bins are suitable for dog waste.

Facilities

• Dog waste bags and leads are available to purchase from the Cafe.
• Water points with dog bowls at either side of the Visitor Centre
• Tether points at either side of the Visitor Centre
• Cafe in the Park is dog friendly so why not pop in with your four-legged friends for a cuppa and a cake after your walk around the park.

Commercial photography and filming

Our 500 acres of parkland offer a stunning and varied backdrop for photographs and filming.

Please be aware that anyone carrying out photography or filming on site will be asked for proof of booking by park staff.

Any requests for photography will be subject to checks with Coombe Abbey Hotel, and will not be permitted if weddings are taking place on the requested date, either in, on or around the gardens, parkland and hotel grounds.

Permissions for photography and filming cover formal gardens and parkland only and do not include inside the hotel, their grounds including front and rear terraces, courtyards or any outbuildings.

There are no changing facilities on site. Use of hotel facilities is not permitted so please take this into consideration before making enquiries or proceeding with bookings.

Any requests received from students for photography and/or filming that forms part of a study programme, portfolio requirement or course can be considered, however, we will require prior written request directly from a tutor before any filming or photography is permitted.

A minimum of 48 hours' notice is required to reschedule pre-wedding photography or receive a refund for cancelled shoots.

Car park charges apply.

Tips for a top day at Coombe

What to pack?

• Change for the car park (see car parking charges [/info/136/coombe_country_park/498/coombe_country_park/4]). Or why not invest in an annual car parking pass?
• Bringing both cash and card with you is advisable as there is no cash machine on site. Please note that both Cafe in the Park and Kiosk in the Park accept card only.
• Picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. See Food and drink [/info/136/coombe_country_park/498/coombe_country_park/6] for more details. Please note that barbecues, camp stoves and open fires are not permitted.
• Bottles of water and sunscreen are advisable when the sun is shining.
• Waterproofs for damp weather, wrap up warm and cosy during colder weather.
• Dog waste bags.  Available to buy at Cafe in the Park if you forget to bring some with you.
• Camera - with batteries. There are so many scenes you will want to capture at the park, from the awesome views to the atmospheric woodland and wildlife shots.
• Binoculars - if you have them. So much wildlife to be seen.
• Bring a net, empty ice cream tub or other plastic container so you can use the pond dipping platforms. 

When you get here

• Hold on to your ticket that you will receive on entry to the car park and retain this ticket for payment at the end of your visit.
• Say ‘hello’ to the friendly staff in the Information Centre, they will be more than happy to recommend what to do and what to see in the park. Visitor Guides available here too. 
• The causeway, where you first meet the ducks and swans, is great, however walk a bit further and there is so much more of the park to discover.
• Wildlife spotting? You need to stop acting human! You need to act and think like an animal. Be aware of your surroundings as the environment changes. You will be surprised by the effect this will have on your wildlife sightings.
• Fancy something a bit more challenging than a country walk? Ask about our orienteering course in the Information Centre or perhaps visit Go Ape whilst you are here www.goape.co.uk/coombe 
• Want to walk further? Don't forget we are connected to Warwickshire's Centenary Way which links into the Sowe Valley Footpath via a route behind University Hospital and also Binley Woods and Brandon.
• Take a look at our What to do [/info/136/coombe_country_park/498/coombe_country_park/5] page for more ideas.

Before you leave

• Let us know what interesting things you have seen today - we're always delighted to hear from you.
• Clear away all your rubbish - it just looks nicer and the animals like it that way too.
• Use one of the pay stations to pay for your parking before exiting the car park. 
• Send us your photographs, tag us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  We may even use your photographs on our social media accounts with your permission.

After your visit

• Why not review your visit on Trip Advisor [http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186403-d214038-Reviews-Coombe_Abbey_Country_Park-Coventry_West_Midlands_England.html]?
• Or upload some of your photographs to our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/coombeabbeypark/] page?