My wife and I recently spent an afternoon at Coombe Abbey Country Park, and it turned out to be one of those places that leaves a lasting impression. What struck us most was the variety within the grounds – one moment you’re walking beneath tall trees in the woodland, the next you’re stepping out into wide, open fields with sweeping views across the countryside. The contrast makes every part of the walk feel fresh and engaging.
The woodland paths are beautifully looked after, offering a calm, shaded route that feels almost timeless. Once we reached the edges of the park, we were rewarded with what looked like golden wheat fields, stretching out into the horizon. It’s a stunning sight and gave us that wonderful sense of space you don’t often get so close to the city.
Around the lake and ponds, there’s plenty of activity with swans and ducks to feed, and we particularly enjoyed stopping at the bird hide – a quiet spot that gave us time to slow down and watch the wildlife. For those after something livelier, the Go Ape course adds a bit of excitement, but it blends in neatly with the surroundings rather than dominating them.
The practical side of things is well thought out too. There are toilets on site, which makes longer visits easy and stress-free. The ice cream shop deserves a special mention – after a long walk, treating ourselves to a cone felt like the perfect finishing touch. Parking was also simple and reasonably priced, with plenty of availability.
All in all, Coombe Abbey Country Park offers a mix of tranquility, natural beauty, and good facilities. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a simple walk yet come away feeling as though you’ve had a proper day out. For us, it was a wonderful way to spend time together, and it’s somewhere we’ll...
Read moreWe have a special fondness for this place, as it holds the cherished memory of our first date with my husband. Here's a heartfelt review of our experiences:
This park has a unique charm that has always captivated us. It's not just a park; it's a clean, well-maintained oasis with various facilities that make it an ideal destination for a day out or a romantic evening stroll.
One of the highlights is undoubtedly the hotel on the property. While we've never had the opportunity to spend a night there, its grandeur and architectural beauty are impressive. It's a sight to behold, especially from the outside, and it adds a touch of elegance to the park.
The little shop on the property is a delightful discovery. It offers a range of items, and we've found it to be a convenient place to pick up souvenirs or essentials during our visits.
For families with children, this park has a lot to offer as well. There are activities designed to keep the little ones entertained, making it a welcoming destination for all age groups.
As Christmas approaches, the park transforms into a magical wonderland with its dazzling light displays. The Christmas lights are truly a sight to behold, creating a festive atmosphere that adds an extra layer of enchantment to our visits.
In summary, we hold a deep affection for this place, where our love story began. It's a clean and inviting park with excellent facilities, a beautiful hotel that adds to its charm, and a delightful little shop. Families will appreciate the activities for children, and during the holiday season, the Christmas lights are nothing short of amazing. Whether it's for a romantic date or a family outing, this park has something special to offer...
Read moreWe visited the park rather than the hotel. This is a gorgeous park with a nice mix of manicured gardens, parkland and arboretum walks. The landscaping was done by Capability Brown. There is also a Go Ape on site. The car park fee is quite good value considering the level of upkeep the park requires, £5 gets you a whole day. You can take a picnic or there are cafes on site. The hotel offers afternoon tea. You may take dogs on a lead. BBQs are not permitted.
The lake has a large population of waterfowl but expect to be mobbed by pigeons if you attempt to feed them (bird feed is available from the cafe). There were lots of grey squirrels and we also saw a young rabbit. They were very confident and close to the path so I'm assuming visitors have kept dogs under control and don't bother the wildlife.
The pathways are wheelchair and pushchair friendly. The playgrounds will entertain adventurous children.
I've given the park 4* even though it should be 5 given how gorgeous and well maintained it was. The loss of star is because there were quite a few spots where visitors decided to abandon their rubbish. I don't think grounds keeping staff should have to clear up but maybe there should be harsh penalties for littering. There are bins on site.
I would definitely come back again. Really looking forward to visiting the hotel and having...
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