Coombe Abbey Park

31/08/2026

The school summer holidays might be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop at Coombe Abbey Park.

Adventure Cinema is back in September with SIX different shows.

Test our your vocal chords with Sing-A-Long version of The Greatest Showman and Frozen. Let the kids (and their grown ups) be entertained by The Gruffalo and Stick Man. See Andrea Bocelli and other musicians celebrate the tenor's 30 years as a performing artist. Then the final show is the chance to test out your lightsaber fighting skills.

All tickets and further information are at https://adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/coombe-abbey-country-park/

Coventry

30/08/2026

A few days ago we celebrated World Lake Day. Today, we remember the man responsible for the lake at Coombe Abbey Park - Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

Brown was baptised on this date, 30th August, in 1716 in Kirkharle, Northumberland. There are no records that show his exact date of birth, but that is expected to have been in earlier that same year.

In 1771 the 6th Baron Craven commissioned Capability Brown to modernise the landscape around the former Cistercian monastery at Coombe Abbey. Brown swept away the elaborate Elizabethan gardens and landscaped the park to create a serpentine lake, sweeping views and extensive new planting.

Working with architect Henry Holland Junior, his son-in-law, Brown also designed several buildings, including a boathouse, menagerie and lodge gates.

It wasn't just Coombe Abbey that Capability Brown changed. He worked on over 250 large country estates throughout England and Wales.

He got his 'Capability' nickname because he said that places had great "capabilities".

You can take the ‘Discover Capability Brown’ walking trail across the Old Deer Park. It’s 2.5 miles long and takes you past several information panels where you can learn more about his work at Coombe Abbey and see points of historical interest.

The Discovery Centre inside the Visitor Centre tells visitors about Capability Brown and how the landscape of the park has changed over the centuries.

Portrait of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, c.1770-75, by Richard Cosway (17421821)/Private Collection/ Bridgeman Images

Coventry

28/08/2026

Don't worry, we haven't been littering. Staff have been putting sheets of corrugated iron at different areas of the park as part of our reptile survey. We request that these be left in place so staff can continue to monitor the number and health of reptiles found in the park.

The picture of the Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica) was taken several years ago on the Old Deer Park. They may look a little scary, but grass snakes are actually very shy creatures. If they are caught they may hiss, release a foul smell substance, and strike out with their head, but they rarely bite. If they hear a human coming then they are likely to rush for cover or simply play dead.

Grass Snakes are cold-blooded and hibernate in the colder months of October/November to March/April. During the summer months they can be found basking in the sunshine. The corrugated iron sheets will provide a lovely hot area for the grass snakes.

Coventry

27/08/2026

On 27th August, the United Nations observes World Lake Day.

The lake at Coombe Abbey is one of most picturesque areas of the park. It was designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. in 1771 he was commissioned by the sixth Lord Craven to landscape the 17th century park around Combe Abbey. His work included the formation of a large serpentine lake. Brown was an expert at making serpentine lakes that looked like natural rivers.

At Coombe Abbey the Smite Brook flows from the north east to the south west through a shallow valley, north and west of the house. Brown dammed the brook to create the main lake, Coombe Pool, and the smaller Top Pool. This impressive sheet of water is 1.5 miles long, covers 90 acres and forms an L shape or ‘dog-leg’ that makes it appears endless – an effect Brown often achieved with his sinuous water features.

Coventry

26/08/2026

WOOF WOOF...WOOF...WOOF WOOF WOOF!

Translated into English...Happy International Dog Day 🐶🐾🐕

21/08/2026

Glad rags fancy dress Coventry is back open for all your medieval costume hire, general fancy dress and park supplies.

Glad Rags is based in the Visitor Centre at Coombe Abbey Park.

21/08/2026

Play Up Sky Blues!! 🩵

The Premier League return kicks off tonight vs Arsenal at the Emirates.

Coventry and Arsenal have only met once in the opening league match of the season. It was in 1993 when Coventry City won 3-0 at Highbury with Micky Quinn scoring a hat-trick.

Let's hope for a repeat performance to tonight. Come on City!

Coventry
Coventry City FC

16/08/2026

Today (Sunday, 16th August 2026) is the final day of the summer for Barker's Fun Fair at Coombe Abbey Park 🎡🎠🎢

15/08/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Glad Rags Fancy Dress shop in the Visitor Centre will be closed for the next few days. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. It will reopen as soon as possible.

For any urgent queries regarding fancy dress outfits, you can still call Maria on 07837 037712.

Glad rags fancy dress Coventry
Coombe Abbey Woodturners Club
Coombe Abbey Hotel

14/08/2026

Barker's Fun Fair are back open today from 12 at Coombe Abbey Park.

Get into that Friday feeling with the family fun fair. 🎠🎢🎡

We are back open today! Come and join the fun from 12pm at Coombe Abbey!