A breath-taking way to explore the British countryside is back up and running at an iconic Warwickshire location – and it’s one of the only places in the Midlands you can try it out.
Coombe Abbey’s punts are back in service at the historic hotel for the first time since 2019, and venue operators No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM) have urged visitors to take a trip this summer – with opportunities for family tours or extra-special experiences for couples.
In addition to refurbished punts, Coombe Abbey’s historic boat house, located behind a wooden portcullis next to the cobblestone bridge upon entry to the hotel, has also been restored, allowing guests to see original craftwork from when the abbey was built in 1150, as well as recently uncovered vistas along the moat, accessible for the first time.
Abbey Punts run every day from 10.30am until late during the summer – weather permitting – with leisure trips for two to six people lasting around 35 minutes. Experiences can be booked at the hotel reception, with under-fives travelling free.
The punts, which are restored traditional Oxford and Cambridge models lined with fine silk, feature customised upholstered seating to allow better views and are skippered by Coombe Abbey’s master punt operator Anthony Haynes who founded Abbey Punts.
Each trip allows guests to get up close to the park’s abundant wildlife and incredible history of the medieval abbey, brought to life by Anthony’s expert knowledge of the surroundings.
Punting, which uses a single wooden pole to navigate, would have been common in local waterways at various points in Coombe’s history, including as a way to deliver goods to the abbey’s various esteemed occupants under the ownership of the Craven family, who owned the former Cistercian monastery for more than 300 years from 1622.
Leisure trips can be booked at the hotel reception on the day (subject to availability), but the service can also be booked for proposals, with prosecco included on your trip, and weddings, offering the bride and bridesmaids a memorable way to arrive and a picturesque getaway for the wedding couple.
Richard Harrison, Managing Director at NOHM, said: “Coombe Abbey’s waterways offer an unforgettable way to create memories with friends and families or simply explore the Warwickshire countryside, so it’s fantastic to have Abbey Punts back in operation.
“We expect Anthony to be very busy during the summer as the weather gets warmer, so we would advise visitors to book in advance.
“The proposal and wedding packages make for very a special experience that is unique to the region, so it’s great to once again have this alongside our expert wedding planners and magnificent spaces within the grounds all adding up to an incredible day.”
Anthony said: “Each trip is as exciting as the first and there is always something new to discover no matter how well you know Coombe Abbey.
“With renewed access to the boat house, there are new views to be explored and history to uncover, with lots of wildlife to see within the park.
“We are thrilled to be back and look forward to welcoming visitors for an experience that is truly out of the ordinary.”
More information can be found at the hotel reception where you can also purchase gift vouchers, with Birthday and Sparkling Cream Tea packages also available.