Coate Water Diving Platform

Restoring an Icon: The Coate Water Diving Platform

Nestled within Swindon's beloved Coate Water Country Park, the iconic diving platform has long stood as a symbol of the town’s rich heritage. Originally constructed in 1935, the structure has weathered the elements and changing times, remaining a striking relic of interwar leisure culture. Now, thanks to an ambitious restoration project, the platform has been brought back to its former glory.

Coate Water Park itself dates back to the 1820s, when it was first created as a feeder reservoir for the Wilts and Berks Canal. However, locals quickly saw its potential as a leisure retreat, enjoying fishing, boating, and even ice skating in winter. The 1930s saw the Borough Council formally embrace this recreational role, transforming the park with new facilities, including an Art Deco-style swimming pool and the now-iconic diving platform.

Designed by Borough Surveyor J.B.L. Thompson and built in accordance with the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) safety standards, the diving platform opened on 22 June 1935. It made an immediate impact, with National Diving Champion Miss Cicely Cousins performing the inaugural dive before an enthusiastic crowd.

However, by 1958, swimming at Coate Water was deemed unsafe due to health and safety concerns, and the diving platform was decommissioned. Over the years, the once-thriving landmark fell into disrepair, its steps blocked off to deter vandals and thrill-seekers. Algae and bird droppings covered its surface, its railings were lost, but structurally, it remained intact, - a silent sentinel over the lake.

A Community-Driven Restoration

In 2013, recognising its historical significance, the diving platform was granted Grade II listed status—one of only four surviving interwar concrete diving platforms in the UK and the only one situated in a lake. This recognition fuelled public interest in its preservation. A Swindon Parks Survey conducted last year found overwhelming support from residents to restore the structure to its former glory.

Responding to this call, a tender for the restoration works was issued in February, which was awarded to CRL Bristol. The project posed several logistical challenges, not least the fact that the platform is located 30 metres offshore. Ensuring that Coate Water Park remained fully open to the public throughout the works added another layer of complexity.

The Restoration Process

The refurbishment involved meticulous planning and execution. The first hurdle was designing and installing safe access to the platform, allowing workers to carry out the restoration while minimising environmental impact. Scaffolding was carefully erected around the structure, ensuring stability while maintaining the park’s aesthetics.

The restoration work itself required precision. The team began by removing accumulated bird droppings, algae, and debris, taking care to use only approved cleaning methods—high-pressure washing was not permitted to prevent damage to the historic concrete. Once cleaned, the structure underwent minor repairs, with deteriorated areas carefully restored to maintain its integrity.

Next came the aesthetic revival. The entire platform was repainted, breathing new life into its distinctive Art Deco form. A crucial final step was the fabrication and installation of replica steel handrails, ensuring the platform retained its original design while benefiting from modern durability and safety standards.

With the successful completion of the project, Coate Water’s diving platform stands once more as a striking feature of the park, its silhouette as recognisable as ever. More than just a restored landmark, it represents Swindon’s commitment to preserving its history while ensuring that future generations can appreciate and admire this unique piece of architectural heritage.

Coate Water Country Park continues to be a cherished green space, where the past meets the present. Thanks to this restoration, the diving platform will remain an enduring reminder of Swindon’s vibrant history and community spirit for years to come.