covtelegraph Unexplored walk at Coombe Abbey to open.

Byline: Ben Eccleston News Reporter ben.eccleston@trinitymirror.com

A LARGELY unexplored beauty spot at Coombe Country Park near Coventry has been opened to the public for the first time in 40 years.

A three-mile circular walk around a serpentine lake, designed by landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, will be open this weekend for visitors to take in the longhidden views.

Capability Brown designed a number of gardens and landscapes at grand estates during the 18th century.

His creation at Coombe can be viewed between 10am and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday with visitors able to enjoy a complete circuit of the lake. There is also the chance of spotting green woodpeckers or herons as the site - which is classed as a site of specific scientific interest - was home to over 40 pairs of breeding herons last year.

Coun Abdul Khan, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and parks at the city council, said: "Many volunteer groups have worked in this part of the park with staff to maintain an excellent habitat for all the wildlife in this area.

"The opening weekends are a great opportunity for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire to appreciate all this hard work and take in views of the lake they may never have seen before.

"The circular path allows visitors to gain a new insight into this noted heritage landscape ahead of the national Capability Brown Festival in 2016."

Visitors to the park can access the path by the entrance next to the bird hide.

The part of the path through the heronry is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, and dogs and bikes are not allowed.

For more information visit www.coventry.gov.uk/coombe or call the visitor centre on 024 7645 3720.

CAPTION(S):

Fiona Mackenzie, | from Coombe Country Park, taking a walk through the newly opened up area