Country Park Strategy: Coate Water Country Park – visitor experience and income generation

Client: Swindon Council
Working alongside The Environment Partnership, we were commissioned to prepare a Country Parks’ Strategy for five country parks managed by Swindon Borough Council.

Coate Water Country Park takes its name from its large waterbody and main feature – a reservoir originally built to provide water for the Wilts & Berks Canal. The core elements of the visitor experience include a ‘hub’ area focused on a catering and ice cream kiosk, the adjacent splash park and the nearby fenced play area and toilets. A crazy golf and pitch n putt course has been developed at the country park, alongside the miniature railway, rowing and canoeing clubs.

Our work focused on assessing the existing visitor experience and the park’s current operations. This was coupled with an extensive programme of stakeholder engagement with staff, volunteers and interested parties. A primary research module was conducted among visitors, and the wider market context was analysed. The research and analysis were brought together, and a visitor experience development plan was prepared for the country park, alongside a commercial strategy to increase income-generating potential. A vision was prepared for the five country parks.

Find out more about the other country park projects we have worked on.

How can we help?
If you would like to develop a strategy, commercial revenue generating plan or visitor experience masterplan for your country park, please don’t hesitate to contact Richard Linington on 07866 74628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk