Coombe Abbey

I have memories of the boating lake with the ice-cream hut next to it. The lake was only about 2ft deep if I am correct, and at the far end, a wooden rail kept you away from the bank and trees. The play area had a really large slide and concrete tunnels you could walk in. I think I remember a swimming pool there as well. Happy times. Do any of you remember the cafe at the rear of the big house? Or how many boats were on the lake? I remember there were all different types you could hire.

From the distant past I can remember 2 boating lakes at Coombe Abbey. The first, smaller lake had small rowing boats and 'pedalo' type craft. The larger (and deeper) lake had large rowing boats and you could travel as far as the wire fencing which was the boundary between the boating lake and the fishing section of Coombe Pool. I don't know when the boating finished on the lakes but no doubt 'elf and safety had something to do with it

The boating lake was fab there when I went there at the weekends the man (John I think) let me help on the boats. I think there were 17 but not all were out, some were in the shed. I had a great time there. Has anyone got photos of it? I hope someone has, and the cafe was good there too

Oh yes, I also have great memories of Coombe's boating lake and play area - my wife remembers them fondly, too - mostly from the 1970s. I remember getting a sore head when I didn't duck enough before running through those concrete tunnels! Also recall huge blisters on the palms of my hands (stop it!) after a couple of hours rowing on the boating lake - I'd not realised that wet wooden oars would cause such things! I thought the cafe was much better then, probably because it was part of the grand old monastic building, and those slides with the enclosed top parts seemed much higher as a child, too. I remember being fascinated also by the talking Mynah bird in the aviary near the boating lake - the first time I'd ever heard anything non-human talk! And do you remember the pub in a "hut" type building near the path between the monastery and the lake?

My god you jogged my memory, Rob, of Coombe, the concrete pipes the kids could run through and the bar in the shed where I waited forever for a pint of beer, happy days.

Does anyone have a copy (physical or digital) of The Story of Coombe Abbey by David L Motkin. In his book Coombe Abbey - A History through Ten Centuries, Derek Winterbottom quotes Motkin's book and indicates that it is downloadable from Coventry Walks web site. This web site domain is now redundant and I am trying to track down a copy of Motkins book. without much success.

Hi Nigel, welcome to the forum It's a pity the Coventry Walks site has gone. Maybe someone knows where it can be sourced.

The Internet Archive has copies of the site going back years here.

Well remembered mcsporran! The direct link to the Coombe Abbey book - Contents page.

Peter Page, who owned the Coventry Walks web site, is very sadly no longer with us. Peter had stayed at Coombe as a GEC graduate apprentice around 1960 along with David Motkin who researched and wrote the original book. I have a pdf copy of Peter's updated version that appeared on Coventry Walks, PM me if you would like a copy.

Langtonian, thank you for your kind offer. I have messaged you to forward a copy. Very much appreciated. Nigel Clews

Helen, thanks for your welcome and offer of help. Langtonian has a pdf copy of the book that I am hoping he can forward to me. Kind regards Nigel Clews

McSporran - thanks for your advice and help. Langtonian has a PDF copy of the book, that I am hopeful he can forward to me. Kind regards Nigel Clews

The name Peter Page rings a bell for me. I think my dad, Arthur Walker, became friends with him while foreman of the GEC Heavy Press Shop in Copsewood, or maybe it was after he retired. I would have been old enough by then to join them for a beer or two from time to time. I can picture his face.

Michael Skywood Clifford has written and asked if I can share a video he took around Coombe Abbey in the 1990s, so here it is.... I'm sure this will evoke great memories for many of us.