Pooley Country Park
ENTRY
Free
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Free woodland park with a balance trail, a clue-hunt walk and soft play upstairs in the café, for the cost of parking.
The big draw here is the balance trail through the woodland, a proper outdoor play area that isn't fenced off in a corner but set right among the trees. There's a Child Friendly Warwickshire Trail too, a clue hunt that gives the walk a point beyond just yomping along mining heritage paths, which is a nice touch if you've got a seven-year-old who needs a reason to keep going.
Entry itself is free, which is rare enough to mention twice. The only cost is parking, £1.50 for up to an hour, £2.50 for two, or £3.50 for the full day, and given how easy it is to lose two hours on the trails, the day rate is probably the sensible bet. If the weather turns, the Pit Stop Coffee Shop has soft play upstairs, so a grey morning isn't a wasted trip.
Paths aren't tarmacked, so a buggy will manage but expect some jolting, and it's worth thinking twice about wheels if it's been raining. The lake water is natural and untreated, so it's one to admire rather than paddle in with the kids. Dogs are welcome on leads, which is handy if the walk's a family outing including the four-legged one.
One genuinely annoying detail: the toilets only open 9am to 4pm, whatever time the park itself closes. In summer when the gates stay open until 6.30pm, that's a couple of hours with no facilities, so time your visit or your bladder accordingly.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- On-site car park: £1.50 up to 1 hour, £2.50 up to 2 hours, £3.50 per day
- Food
- Pit Stop Coffee Shop serving hot and cold drinks, light bites and ice creams
- Dogs
- On leads or under close control at all times
- Toilets only open 9am to 4pm, even when the park stays open later in summer
- Parking is £3.50 for a full day, which works out cheaper than paying by the hour if you're staying long
- The lake water is natural and untreated, so it's a look-don't-touch feature
- Paths can get uneven after rain, worth thinking about your footwear and buggy wheels
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Getting in is free. You only pay for parking, from £1.50 for an hour up to £3.50 for the whole day.
Do we need to book?
No booking mentioned, you just turn up and pay for parking on arrival.
Is it OK for a buggy?
It's pushchair friendly, but the paths aren't tarmacked so expect some uneven going, especially after rain.
What are the opening hours?
9am to 4pm October to February, 9am to 5.30pm in March, and 9am to 6.30pm from April to September.
Is there food?
The Pit Stop Coffee Shop does hot and cold drinks, light bites and ice creams, open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and weekends 9am to 4pm.
What if it rains?
There's soft play upstairs at the coffee shop, so a wet day isn't wasted.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome on leads or under close control, just mind the signs for restricted areas.
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