Well, well, well, Willen Lake has really improved.

There is an new area where you access the water sports which has a Changing Places facility, a cafe, viewing balcony, so much. The Changing Places toilet was spotlessly clean and well resourced. Unfortunately the radar key does not work for the lock and you have to go to the reception area to get the ‘green’ key. When I enquired about this it was explained to me that the facility cost £100k to install (wow) and it has been misused and vandalised several times so the staff keep the key. How sad that people cannot respect property which enables the moist vulnerable people in society to have their personal care needs met with dignity and respect. This facility enables people to spend the whole day out, rather than having to dash home to goto the toilet or, even worse, have to lay on a toilet floor to have their care needs met.

It was slightly awkward when I left the Changing Places with a child to discover a member of staff had been waiting outside to lock up after we left and must have heard me singing to the child and posing in the mirror for a thumbs up photo - oh dear……..

There is not much shade at Willen Lake - because it’s a lake - but it is worth remembering if you’re taking someone who burns in the sun. I tended to stop every 30 mins and re-apply sun lotion. I can’t imagine that was too annoying……. One lady I supported kept walking to a bench and sitting down and then signing ‘tea’. When she felt I was not responding quickly enough she temporarily reinstated her fear of dogs - but not over the happy small dog pulling on the lead. Oh no. She decided to develop a ‘fear’ of two ancient, grey, black labradors who were sitting calmly watching her. The shame. I did point this out to her but she was adamant these placid and calm dogs were terrifying……once back in the car she instantly forgot all about her ‘fear’. Funny that.

The new water sports building has a cafe, the splash park does too and there are various fast food stalls and ice-cream vans dotted around. The pub on site is called The Lakeside. A member of staff called Lucy served us. She. Was. Amazing. You know some people ‘get it’ - well, she did. When I booked the table I put in the ‘special requirements’ box that one member of the group had additional needs/autism and would benefit, if possible, from a quieter table. Our allocated table was beautifully stuck between a table with a crying baby and another table with two children shouting. Lucy, instead, opened up the third section of the restaurant and we were part of it all but on the edge - how thoughtful. When it came to ordering, instead of queuing up at the bar as I was about to, Lucy ushered us back to our seats and took our order. It’s the small things that count and I am so appreciative of the fabulous Lucy - thank you! As a result the lady I was supporting ate all her dinner because she was calm.

Willen Lake has its own big wheel - I do not think it’s wheelchair accessible and the mobile person I was supporting, refused to get on it, so I’ve no idea what it is like……

Outside the Water Sports Venue is an accessible park with a roundabout that is suitable for wheelchairs. This is great to see and was used by us and lots of much younger children who were loving it too. There is a bucket swing which one child I support really loves, but it takes 3 people to get them in the swing; one to lift the child and two to hold the swing firm. And then there is the ‘getting out’ process……

Basically its a great day out which you can make as cheap or expensive as you want. The only thing I would say is parking is around £4.00 for 4 hours and this includes blue badge holders. The car park is quite small so getting there early is definitely better.

Have a lovely Bank Holiday!