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. It's your outdoors - come and explore.

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 note: unprecedented numbers of people are visiting our activity centres this summer. To avoid disappointment, you must pre-book your session online prior to arriving at the lakes.

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!

Instructor-led Sessions

'Have a go' Sessions
'Get into' Sessions
Activity Days
Activity Weeks
Bespoke Sessions
Naturebreak Experiences
Courses
Clubs

Learn something new with one of our qualified instructors. Take part in a 'Have a go' session, expand your knowledge by signing up to a course or get involved in one of our weekly clubs. There really is something for all ages and abilities to try.

'Have a go' Sessions

A fantastic way to try an activity for the first time with friends and family. These 1 - 2 hour instructor-led sessions are a great way to gain basic skills and, more importantly, have fun!

Activities include; kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, archery* and high ropes*

Prices start from just £15

Available at Roadford, Stithians and Wimbleball

*Only available at Roadford and Wimbleball

Select lake and book

'Get into' Sessions

Thinking about taking up a new hobby? These 'Get Into' sessions are a great way to start.

Enjoy a full day session with a qualified instructor who will help you on your journey to being a proficient paddler or sailor!

Activities include; kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, sailing and windsurfing

Only £52 per person

Available at Roadford, Stithians and Wimbleball

Select lake and book

Activity Days

Enjoy a fun-filled day and experience a variety of different land* and water-based activities!

This could be sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, raft building, archery and high ropes depending on the weather conditions on the day.

The Activity Days are suitable for ages 8-16

Only £60 per person

Available at Roadford, Stithians and Wimbleball

*Land-based activities available at Roadford and Wimbleball

Select lake and book

My son had an amazing day at the multi-activity day. Kayaking, raft building, stand up paddleboarding, mega SUP and the dinghy - he loved every minute.
Claire - parent of child participant

Activity Weeks

If you struggle to keep the kids entertained over the school break then our activity weeks could be the answer! Offering excellent value for money, they are a great way to get your kids learning and participating in outdoor sports.

Enjoy five days packed with new experiences and filled with adventure! The kids will have a go at sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding, canoeing and raft building.

The activity weeks are suitable for ages 8-16

Only £220 per person

Available at Roadford, Stithians and Wimbleball

Select lake and book

Bespoke Sessions

Did you know that we are also offering bespoke tuition sessions in sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding?

The perfect opportunity to learn something new with your friends and family and create new memories.

Available at Roadford, Stithians and Wimbleball

Want to find out more? Please contact your preferred Activity Centre:

Roadford – 01409 211507 / [email protected]

Stithians – 01209 860301 / [email protected]

Wimbleball – 01398 371460 / [email protected]

Naturebreak Experiences

Join our South West Lakes guides on wild adventures - explore how the seasons influence nature and our relationship with the environment, arts and culture, or take the first steps in discovering the wonders of bushcraft activities.

Find out more and book

Courses

Gain a RYA qualification in either sailing, windsurfing or powerboating at one of our three RYA registered training centres across the South West; Roadford Lake, Stithians Lake or Wimbleball Lake.

Courses run throughout the year at each of the centres and bespoke courses are available to suit your specific requirements.

View our upcoming courses here

For more information, please contact your preferred activity centre:

Roadford – 01409 211507 / [email protected]

Stithians – 01209 860301 / [email protected]

Wimbleball – 01398 371460 / [email protected]

Clubs

Get fit, get active and get outdoors! Here at South West Lakes we offer a wide range of clubs to get involved in. Whether you’re a complete novice and are looking to learn something completely new, or you already have a little bit of experience and are looking to further your knowledge and skills in a certain area, we have the club for you.

Join one of our activity clubs at Roadford, Stithians or Wimbleball and start creating memories. We’re passionate about promoting and delivering health and wellbeing in the outdoors and our lakes give so many opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get outdoors and be active. From junior windsurfing to adult sailing … there really is something for everyone.

Roadford Lake

Adult Sailing Club

Wednesday, 10.00am – 12.00pm, all year round

Beginners' Sailing Club

Saturday, (Suitable for complete beginners up to RYA Stage 2, 8-16 year olds): 10.00am – 12.00pm, all year round

Advanced Sailing Club

Saturday, (RYA Stage 3 and upwards, 8-16 year olds): 1.00pm – 3.00pm, all year round

Stithians Lake

Junior Windsurfing Club

Saturday, 8-18 year olds, 9:30am – 12.00pm

Junior Sailing Club

Saturday, 8-16 year olds, 9:30am - 12.00pm

Project Windsurf Adult

Sunday, 1.00pm – 3:30pm

Set Sail Sundays Adult

Sunday, 9:30am – 12:00pm

Wimbleball Lake

Wimbleball Buccaneers

Saturdays, 10.00am - 12.30pm for six consecutive weeks.

Ages 8 - 14. A mixture of kayaking, high ropes, archery and climbing, mega sup, stand up paddleboarding, sailing and raft building. £60 in total.

Wave 2: 5^th June – 24^th July 2021 (no session on 26^th June/ 3^rd July)
Wave 3: 31^st July – 4^th September 2021
Wave 4: 11^th September – 16^th October

Sunday Sailing and Windsurfing Club

Sundays, 2.00pm - 4.00pm. £60 total.

Minimum experience required for sailing is to be able to launch the craft, capsize and recover the boat. For windsurfing, minimum experience is to turn the board and sail to a goal point.

Wave 2: 6^th June – 25^th July 2021 (no session on 26^th June/ 3^rd July)

Wave 3: 1^st August – 4^th September 2021

Wave 4: 12^th September – 17^th October 2021

For all equipment hire, self-launch and tuition a disclaimer must be completed online prior to arrival

Latest

Reflecting on a busy summer at Burrator

It has been wonderful to welcome back volunteers and visitors at Burrator this summer after the restrictions of the last 18 months.
Family Astro Party at Wimbleball Lake

Join Exmoor National Park's rangers, education officers and astronomer Jo Richardson for a fun indoor and outdoor family orientated astro event at Wimbleball Lake, as part of the Dark Sky Festival on Saturday 6 November.
Astronomy Lecture at Wimbleball Lake

Join us at Wimbleball Lake Activity Centre on Monday 1 November at 7pm for an astronomy lecture run by Exmoor National Park, as part of their Dark Sky Festival.
Funding secured for new play area at Roadford Lake

Work to create a new play area at Roadford Lake near Okehampton will start early next year, thanks to generous funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, South West Water and South West Lakes and our supporters.

It’s your outdoors – come and explore this autumn

As the nights draw in, the temperature drops and the leaves start to turn, our lakes are beautiful places to visit in the autumn. Drink in the scenery while exploring miles of footpaths and cycle trails, wander through woodlands or simply enjoy being close to nature.
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.
Stithians Lake Wingsurf and Wingfoil School

Winging, wing dinging, wing foiling, wing surfing, there are so many funky names for this exciting new sport. It’s a bit of a mix of windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP and foiling, with so many possibilities for both participants and the industry to develop new skills and equipment.
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.
Stithians Campsite

Enjoy an outdoor camping adventure with the whole family in Cornwall. Stithians provides a superb Cornish camping holiday with pitches set adjacent to the lake.
Roadford Campsite

Embark on an outdoor camping holiday in Devon like no other! Roadford Lake’s family friendly campsite is the perfect place to discover the great outdoors, toast marshmallows on a barbeque, run freely and spend the night stargazing.
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!
Groups

The lakes of the South West provide stunning natural environments where groups can get to grips with water and land activities, develop communication skills, focus on team work, improve self-esteem and be at one with nature.
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.
Education

Thinking about a career in the watersports industry? We’ve formed an exciting new partnership with Falmouth Marine School which will enable professional watersports instructor training to continue in Cornwall.

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.
South West Lakes Booking Confirmation

Thank you for your South West Lakes booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email shortly with details of your booking.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
FAQs

Want to find out more? Here you will find a list of frequently asked questions. If you still can't find what you are looking for, please contact our team who will be happy to help.
Instructor-led Sessions

Learn something new with one of our qualified instructors. Take part in a 'Have a go' session, expand your knowledge by signing up to a course or get involved in one of our weekly clubs. There really is something for all ages and abilities to try.