Costa del Coventry: Beach life in Coventry city centre

[dutchman]

The tide may be out by about 90 miles, but Coventry has a peach of a beach in the city centre.



Shelton Square has been transformed into a fun-packed sandy cove for kids.

And it needn’t “costa” penny to lap up the holiday atmosphere.

Grateful parents are happy to lie back in a deck-chair and watch their children getting dug in with their buckets and spades building sand castles.

And if they are prepared to shell out, they can have their kids’ faces painted or buy a stick of rock or a hotdog from one of the beach stalls.

For those tired shoppers, there’s a seaside town-style train to chug them along Market Way to their destination.

There’s even a dry surfboard for children to ride on and a Punch and Judy show.

The brightly-painted single-carriage train collects fun-seekers from close to the precinct fountain for the short journey.

The beach and train have been provided by Heart Park, near Fillongley, where owner Stephen Hammon, has created a lakeside beach resort.

Visitor Sianne McCusken, of Coundon said: “It’s a good idea, especially for the kids.

"During these hard times for everyone at the minute it’s something for them.

“It’s something to keep the children busy during the long holidays.”

The Shelton Square beach idea came about from a partnership between Coventry Market, local business’ and the city council.

Lee House, city council events officer, said: “With all the building work that has been going on we wanted to support local businesses and to bring something to the local children.”

Keiran Mulhall, Lord Mayor of Coventry, said: “What a great idea! Some children may not get the chance to visit the seaside this summer so they now have the opportunity to have all the fun of the seaside in their home town.”

The beach will be open everyday from 10am-4pm until Thursday August 25.