Activities and Camping

Great days out with South West Lakes Trust

We have five Activity Centres across the region, where you can hire watersports equipment, launch your own craft or learn something new with our friendly and qualified instructors:

Roadford Lake in Devon
Siblyback Lake on Bodmin Moor
Stithians Lake in West Cornwall
Tamar Lakes on the Devon Cornwall border
Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor.

Extend your stay and camp at Roadford Campsite, Siblyback Campsite, Stithians Campsite, Tamar Campsite or Wimbleball Campsite.

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.

#ItsYourOutdoors - come and explore!

Download our Camping and Activities Terms and Conditions.

About us

Welcome to South West Lakes

South West Lakes is dedicated to caring for and enhancing the South West's reservoirs and lakes: they are home to many wonderful animals and boast important habitats and built historic sites. We pride ourselves on enabling people of all abilities to enjoy these special locations by providing access both on and off the water.

Every year, millions of people visit lakes and reservoirs across the UK. They provide a perfect setting for a great day out, be it for a stroll, to play, nature watch or enjoy adventurous activities such as stand up paddle boarding, kayaking or sailing.

As an independent charity, our purpose is to protect special places for people and wildlife; in doing this we care for over 40 inland waters in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Ranging in size from one to nine hundred acres, the lakes provide unrivalled access to watersports, angling, walking and cycling, and are places you can be active or play and explore all day long.

Some of our lakes are recognised with special designations including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves. We take great pride in protecting and enhancing these locations for the future and for people to value and enjoy.

Our unique working relationship with South West Water ensures that the land surrounding the reservoirs in our care is managed sensitively and sustainability to improve the quality of water entering the reservoirs, and that these beautiful countryside locations are enjoyed by everyone, not just today, but for future generations as well.

Our Recreation and Countryside Team looks forward to welcoming you and your family to one of our lakes soon. Whether your passion is watersports, sngling, walking and cycling or simply enjoying green spaces and being close to nature, it's your outdoors - come and explore. Find out more about visiting our lakes.

Find out more about South West Lakes

Meet the Team

Matt Lennox, Visitor Experience Manager, Central

Hello everyone, my name is Matt Lennox and I’m the Visitor Experience Manager covering the central area which includes Roadford Lake and Siblyback Lake.

I have been involved with the great work South West Lakes do since the age of 16, starting off as a kayaking instructor during the summer months at Tamar.

Matt Loughlin, Visitor Experience Manager, West

My name is Matt Loughlin and I’m the Visitor Experience Manager covering West Cornwall and have worked for South West Lakes on and off since 2000.

I started sailing when I was about 4 and loved being on the water. When I was a bit older I got into windsurfing and various other watersports.

Lark Bridges, Chief Instructor at Stithians Lake

My name is Lark and I am Chief Instructor at Stithians Lake near Redruth.

I have always enjoyed being outdoors and on or in the water! I went to school in Falmouth and after completing A Levels in Maths and Photography decided that I didn’t want to work indoors, so I started a Level 3 Diploma in outdoor education at Falmouth Marine School.

Becki Hayward, Chief Instructor at Roadford Lake

Hi, I’m Becki, Chief instructor at Roadford Lake. I have worked for South West Lakes for 4 and a half years. I spent my childhood messing around on the beach and was always far happier outside in the fresh air than shut up indoors. When I left school I knew that I want to work outside so did a NVQ in outdoor sport, gaining the experience and qualifications I needed to start in the outdoor industry.

Beth Merriott, Administrator at Roadford Lake

Hello, my name is Beth Merriott and I’m the administrator for Roadford Lake Activity Centre which is based between Okehampton and Launceston.

I’ve been working for SW Lakes since March 2019. You’ll mainly find me in the office but I do try to get out and about around site to greet customers and check the facilities.

Meet Tom Holloway, Activities and Camping Supervisor, Siblyback Lake

Hiya everyone, my name it Tom and I’m the new Activities and Camping Supervisor at Siblyback Lake, near Liskeard in Cornwall. It was only when I moved to the South West in 2018 where I realised I loved exploring the outdoors and started to enjoy staying active.
Earth Day 2024

Monday 22 April is Earth Day! The theme for 2024, ‘planet vs plastic’, is aiming to raise awareness about plastic use worldwide and to ultimately reduce plastic use by 60% by 2050. Dartmoor Biodiversity Officer Morwenna discusses the use of plastic tree guards in our work, when they are necessary and how they can be substituted.
Opening Times and Contact Us

Please check opening times before travelling to site. Here you will find the opening times and contact information for both Roadford Lake Activity Centre and the Roadford Cafe.
Summer half term activities at Roadford Lake

We have an action-packed summer half term activity programme at Roadford Lake, with the chance to try your hand at sailing, windsurfing, archery, paddleboarding, kayaking and high ropes.

Current reservoir levels

See the current water levels in our reservoirs.
Equipment Hire

Experience the ultimate family adventure by exploring the lakes at your own pace. We have a variety of watersports equipment available to hire including; kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards and more.
Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

Wimbleball is a hub of colour and activity throughout all the seasons. Nestled within the rolling hills of Exmoor National Park, there are plenty of ways to get active at Wimbleball. With an array of walking and cycling trails winding around the 530 acre site, and a fantastic range of watersports and other activities available, this is the perfect location to spend a day outdoors – whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging expedition.
South West Lakes Trust Booking Confirmation

Thank you for your South West Lakes Trust booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email shortly with details of your booking.
Book Now
Self-launch and Launch Membership

Already have your own kit? You can launch your own kayak, canoe, dingy or stand up paddleboard at our lakes! And, if you are a regular visitor, you can even become a member and launch as often as you like at all five activity centres!
Wimbleball Campsite

Experience a family camping holiday like no other at Wimbleball Lake, nestled in the hills of Exmoor National Park. Create the ultimate camping break packed with adventure, creating lasting memories for the whole family.
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.
Join the team

Current vacancies
Siblyback, Cornwall

Surrounded by the striking backdrop of Bodmin Moor, Siblyback Lake lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There is a beautiful 5km round lake circuit, which is perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs and bicycles. The path runs adjacent to the lake, and passes by the impressive Siblyback Dam and through woodlands.F