1 The beauty of Coate Water Country Park, off Marlborough Road, has made it a favourite among generations of people from throughout the Swindon area. It has plenty to offer anglers, birdwatchers and devotees of the fine art of pitch and putt, but many of those who come along do so simply because they want to stroll by the quiet and beautiful expanse of water. The nearby Coate Water Railway, with its miniature ride-on rolling stock, is a visitor attraction in its own right - see coatewaterrailway.wixsite.com. The park is an ideal destination for people of all ages.

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2 Cotswold Water Park - www.waterpark.org – was famously created by turning former gravel pits into lakes. There are 147 lakes spread over some 40 square miles, and the range of activities on offer to visitors is similarly impressive. They range from simple pleasures such as walking and picnicking to trying one’s hand at sailing, canoeing and kayaking – and land-based sports such as archery. The beautiful landscape provides a haven for many species of birds and other wildlife.

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3 A major feature of Swindon’s Stanton Park, off Highworth Road near Stanton Fitzwarren, is its large lake. The 185-acre park opened in 2000 and is a nature reserve best known for the sheer variety of habitats it offers to birds, mammals, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. The park, officially designated a nature reserve, is home to numerous species of rare and unusual plants.

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4 Centre Parcs Longleat Forest bills itself as an all-in-one destination ideal for family holidays and shorter breaks. Unsurprisingly for a venue with a large lake, water-based activities are among its most popular, and include kayaking, sailing and the AquaPark, a floating obstacle coursed and activity centre which opened last year. For full details of activities, prices and booking, visit www.centerparcs.co.uk

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5 Oxford Wet n Wild - www.oxfordwetnwild.com – on the Queenford Lakes, is within fairly easy travelling distance of Swindon and a favourite with families. Especially energetic visitors can use up their excess energy on the inflatable obstacle course, while those who prefer their aquatic activities a little less taxing can try one of the pedalos. The centre has paddleboards for hire.

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6 The official website for the Severn Bore - www.severn-bore.co.uk – is well worth checking for its accurate timetable of the remarkable natural phenomenon in which estuary water becomes spectacular waves thanks to a funnel effect. The site offers an explanation of the bore and lists vantage points. July’s appearances are limited to this evening and tomorrow, but there will be more in August.

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7 Bristol Open Water Centre - bristolopenwater.co.uk – is renowned among triathlon enthusiasts as a training location for the toughest of all conventional races. Other attractions include an assault course, a kart track, canoeing and paddle boarding. The venue asks that those who use its lake are proficient swimmers and physically fit.

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8 The new water flume at the Oasis Leisure Centre is the key component of a recent three-month refurbishment. The pool at the centre, which opened more than 40 years ago, has been one of the Swindon area’s most popular destinations for families ever since. There are facilities for swimmers of all ages, and staff are trained to ensure everybody is safe and has a good time. Visit www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/swindon/oasis-leisure-centre-swindon

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9 For people who prefer their waterborne leisure relaxing and steeped in history, The Magdalen Bridge Boathouse in Oxford rents out punts, rowing boats and pedalos. Visitors can hire them for as little as an hour and for as long as all day. Should even a little gentle punting sound a little too gruelling for a summer’s day, there are chauffeured punt rides. Full details can be found at www.oxfordpunting.co.uk

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10 New Forest Waterpark at Fordingbridge has an inflatable aqua activity centre with trampolines, slides, a climbing wall, a springboard and other challenges. There is kayaking, camping and a cable-drawn version of wakeboarding. The park’s website is www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk

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