Activities and Camping

Great days out with South West Lakes

Explore the great outdoors and have a day filled with fun and adventure! Catch fish, build dens, get on your bike or explore the lakes of the south west by boat or foot.

There are so many things to do at the lakes – discover the joy of simply wandering through woodlands, spotting birds and bugs and playing amongst nature. You can also take to the water and experience an exhilarating adventure as a family.

Please check our Covid update page prior to visiting to make sure you are up to date with information for your trip.

Our lakes provide the perfect setting for a great day out in Cornwall, Devon and on Exmoor. Venture along our trails, encountering nature face to face. Refuel at our onsite cafés with delicious snacks, cakes and hot drinks. Enjoy a wide range of fun things to do – try an activity on or off the water for the very first time, shoot an arrow or swing through the trees, discover paddleboarding or explore our lakes by canoe. Extend your stay and enjoy a night under canvas, create a family holiday packed with new experiences creating lifelong memories.

Holidays like no other

Keep the whole family entertained with a range of activities on and off the water. Our expertly trained instructors offer superb sessions for you to experience a day out like no other. From canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing to archery and high ropes – there’s plenty of outdoor activities to experience the ultimate day out or holiday with the family in Cornwall, Devon and on Exmoor.

Wimbleball Lake RYA Junior and Youth Sailing Courses

Our Spring/Summer 2021 RYA courses at Wimbleball will teach you the basics of sailing with our qualified instructors in a safe and fun environment!

** All pre-scheduled courses £150 per person **

Junior Courses: Sundays, 10.00am - 1.00pm:

5 week RYA Youth Stage 1 Sailing: 25 April - 23 May 2021

5 week RYA Youth Stage 2 Sailing: 6 June - 18 July 2021 (NO sessions on 27 June and 4 July)

5 week RYA Youth Stage 1 Sailing: 12 September - 17 October 2021 (NO Session 26 September 2021)

2 Day Courses: 9.00am - 5.00pm:

Youth Stage 1 Sailing course: Mon 31 May / Tue 1 June

Youth Stage 2 Sailing course: Thurs 3 /Fri 4 June

Youth Stage 1 Sailing course: Thurs 29 / Fri 30 July

Youth Stage 2 Sailing course: Mon 2 / Tue 3 August

Youth Stage 3 Sailing course: Thurs 12 / Fri 13 August

Youth Stage 4 Sailing course: Mon 16 / Tue 17 August

Youth Stage 1 Sailing course: Thurs 26 / Fri 27 August

Youth Stage 2 Sailing course: Mon 30 / Tue 31 August

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Canoeing

Sit back, relax and explore the lakes of the South West in a canoe. Our five activity centres, located across Devon, Cornwall and Exmoor, provide a variety of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get out on the water. Canoeing is an extremely accessible sport, perfect for both children and adults alike. Immerse yourself in nature and create memories with your family which will last a lime-time.
Stand Up Paddleboarding

Take to the water and experience an unforgettable paddleboarding adventure in Devon, Cornwall and Exmoor. Hire our equipment, launch your own SUP or learn something new with one of our qualified instructors. Our five activity centres provide a variety of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get out on the water and enjoy the great outdoors.
Kayaking

Explore the spectacular lakes of the South West by kayak. Our five activity centres provide a variety of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get out on the water and experience a completely unique view of the lakes. Spot wildlife, play games and enjoy some quality time immersed in nature with friends and family.
Harvest Mice Tales

Our ecologist discusses some successful harvest mice discoveries around the south west over the winter of 2020 - 21.

Roadford Lake RYA Spring and Summer Courses

Roadford's Spring/Summer 2021 RYA courses will teach you the basics of sailing or windsurfing with our qualified instructors in a safe and fun environment!
Wimbleball Lake RYA Adult Sailing Courses

Our Spring/Summer 2021 RYA courses at Wimbleball will teach you the basics of sailing with our qualified instructors in a safe and fun environment!
Stithians Lake Summer RYA Courses

Our Summer 2021 RYA courses will teach you the basics of sailing or windsurfing with our qualified instructors in a safe and fun environment!
Stithians Lake Spring RYA Courses

Learn the basics of sailing or windsurfing with our qualified instructors in a safe and fun environment!
Family Camp at Roadford Lake

Enjoy an action-packed weekend of activities for the whole family! Head to Roadford Lake from 7 - 9 May for the annual Family Camp!

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Tender Opportunity: Upper Tamar Lake Café

An exciting opportunity has arisen to operate the café at Upper Tamar Lake, situated within a short distance from the north coast of Cornwall and Devon.
Join the team

Current vacancies
Roadford Lake, Devon

Roadford Lake sits within the stunning surroundings of the Wolf Valley, close to Launceston on the Cornwall border. One of the biggest and busiest inland waters in the South West, the lake is surrounded by a variety of natural habitats, including Culm Grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards.
SW Lakes Weekly Trout Fishery Round Up - W/E 21 February 2021

Our first full week of fishing has passed at Kennick and Siblyback. The fishing was mixed last week as many anglers battled with the constant wind and rain! The forecast this week is looking really nice – I expect the fishing to match the weather!
Lopwell Dam, Devon

Lopwell Dam is a beautiful spot at any time of the year; the colours and views on display are simply breathtaking. Near Plymouth, the Local Nature Reserve is home to a varied range of wildlife, both in and out of the water. Delve into Lopwell’s long history (all the way back to the 13th century!), and learn about how this peaceful haven was once a busy river quay that served Plymouth and London, with a mineshaft used for mining lead and silver.
SW Lakes Weekly Trout Fishery Round Up - W/E 14 February 2021

We opened Siblyback and Kennick on Friday 12 for season permit holders and it was great to see some hardy anglers braving the conditions! The forecast for this week ahead is looking very good for fishing and we stocked a lot of fish into both the lakes so expect some cracking sport.
Coronavirus update 25/2/2021

Following the latest announcement from the government, we are excited to be welcoming more people back to our lakes from 29 March. We are awaiting guidance from national governing bodies with regards to particular activities, including watersports and overnight fishing - please bear with us whilst we await these details. In the meantime, the lakes will continue to stay open for our local communities to exercise.
What we do

We are dedicated to the protection of the natural environment found at our lakes and are passionate about people from all walks of life being able to benefit from the wonderful countryside around our lakes. From walking and cycling to angling and watersports, we offer fantastic opportunities for great days out and regular visits for health and well-being, discovering and exploring at lakes across the south west of England.
Visit the Lakes

Venture around the beautiful lakes of the South West by foot, bike and paw; explore miles of footpaths and trails, whilst taking a moment to appreciate the peaceful beauty of water, woodland and forestry. The lakes are an idyllic setting for a family day out in Cornwall, Devon and on Exmoor. Partake in a spot of adventure off the water; there are plenty of fantastic things to do as a family, and some of the best, most memorable days cost absolutely nothing (except a small car parking charge!