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.

Instructor-led Sessions

'Have a go' Sessions
'Get into' Sessions
Activity Days
Activity Weeks
Bespoke Sessions
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

Book now

'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

Book now

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

Book now

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

Book now

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]

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

Saturday Club

Mixed watersports, 8-16 year olds, 10.00am – 12.00pm

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

Latest

Mobile Catering Licence Opportunity at Wistlandpound

Looking to serve a brew with a view? Fancy selling cake by a lake? What about a cream tea to die for on the hills of Exmoor? We have a perfect spot on the banks of Wistlandpound Reservoir for a mobile catering licence to set up this year
Vital biosecurity work is successful across the south west

South West Lakes and South West Water have recently been awarded an accreditation for excellence in biosecurity at many of their lakes through the AQUA (Aquatic Quality Award) Biosecurity Accreditation Pilot Scheme. Part of the EU LIFE funded RAPID (Reducing and Preventing INNS Dispersal) LIFE project, AQUA is designed to help prevent the spread of invasive non-native species.
Experiences of a volunteer at South West Lakes

Madeleine is a Site Guardian at College and Argal Lakes, and is also completing a work experience placement with both South West Lakes and Cornwall Reptile and Amphibian Group (CRAG). Read an account of her experiences.
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.

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 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!
Roadford Easter Programme

With so much on offer here at Roadford Lake this Easter, you definitely won't be stuck for ideas to keep the kids entertained.
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.
New for 2021 - Activity Breaks

Create your ideal getaway in the South West. Enjoy a touch of luxury by staying in one of our furnished Bell Tents or, if you prefer, you can pitch up your own tent and experience a traditional camping adventure with unforgettable lake views.
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.

Vote for your favourite photo competition entry

It's time to have your say!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report - February 2021

At the time of writing, only two of South West Lakes’ rainbow trout fisheries have opened (Kennick and Siblyback), with Stithians and Burrator opening on 5 March for season permit holders and 6 March for day tickets. The brown trout fisheries open on 15 March (Roadford, Colliford, Fernworthy and Wistlandpound).
Our impact

We believe engaging with the natural environment enables people to grow. Our purpose is to protect special places for people and wildlife. Our mission is more people having great experiences.