Paddleboarding Inspiration in the Lake District
One of my goals as an OS Get Outside Champion is to share the joy of paddleboarding, encourage others to take up this wonderful sport and use OS maps to help them plan their adventures.
I was therefore delighted when the OS team invited me to write about 15 great spots to launch a paddle board in the Lake District that would be suitable for new and more experienced paddlers. This is based on a wonderful year researching my second bestselling book Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain – Beautiful Places to Paddleboard in Cumbria with Vertebrate Publishing.
There are sixteen larger lakes in the Lake District National Park and of these, we are allowed to paddleboard on ten. There are slightly different rules for canoeists and kayakers. More information can be found on the Lake District National Park Authority website. Water and boating activities in the Lake District
Bassenthwaite – Northern Lakes
Bassenthwaite is one of the Northern Lakes and is in fact the only lake in the Lake District. The rest are meres or waters. It is significantly quieter than nearby Derwentwater, with stunning views of Ullock Pike, Skiddaw, Carl Side and Dodd. At the northwestern end is the Dubwath Silver Meadows Wetland Nature Reserve. On the eastern shoreline is the beautiful tiny St Bega’s Church surrounded by sessile oaks and nearby Mirehouse. You might even spot ospreys!
You need a permit to paddle on Bassenthwaite which you can buy online from the Lake District National Park Authority Bassenthwaite boat permits : Lake District National Park. (Currently £7 per day). This gives you access to Peel Wyke Harbour from where you can be on the water in less than a minute.
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The Stagecoach X5 runs along the A66.
Derwentwater – Northern Lakes
Often referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lakes’, Derwentwater holds a special place in my heart as it was where I took my first paddleboarding lesson in September 2016 with Lake District Paddleboarding. Unlike most of the ribbon lakes such as Windermere, Coniston or Ullswater, Derwentwater is more of an oval shape. It has four larger and three smaller islands with majestic Skiddaw, the fourth highest Wainwright in the Lake District, rising above Keswick. There is the famous Friar’s Crag with views down the lake and to the Jaws of Borrowdale. With very limited parking and much private land on the western shore, this is the quieter of the two and worth visiting if you feel confident enough to paddle the perimeter or across the lake when conditions allow. At Brandelhow there is public access and you will see the beautiful oak sculpture of the ‘Entrust’ hand.
Park in the National Trust car park at Great Wood, cross the busy road and launch at Calfclose Bay. Rampsholme Island is about 550 m offshore and you can see the Hundred Year Stone, a sculpture carved from a glacial Borrowdale boulder.
The Stagecoach 78 bus runs along the eastern shore.
Ullswater – Northern Lakes
Ullswater is unique in having three basins in a dog leg or inverse S shape and as the second largest and third deepest lake it is super if you are looking for an endurance paddle. The three different reaches (stretches) offer very different views and paddling experiences. In the north where the lake exits into the River Eamont at Pooley Bridge the views of Dunmallet (Dunmallard Hill) are much gentler and you will also spot the much photographed Duke of Portland boathouse. In the middle and southern stretches fells rise majestically above. High Dodd, Hallin Fell, Arthur’s Pike and Helvellyn in the distance.
Two National Trust car parks offer easy access to the shoreline at Glencoyne Bay and Aira Force and are popular with families. The former offers some shelter from the winds that can whip up along Ullswater. If you’re early enough you might spot Andy Butcher, known locally as The Swan Man, who feeds the swans and geese each morning.
The Stagecoach bus 508 runs along the western shore and in the summer months the Ullswater bus.
Aira Point: NY 399 197
Glencoyne Bay: NY387 188
Grasmere – Southern Lakes
For literature, gingerbread and bluebell lovers, Grasmere is a gorgeous lake nestled on the edge of one of the most popular villages in the Lake District. Small and perfectly formed, it offers a beautiful opportunity to view the famous Helm Crag, aka the Lion and the Lamb, with the U shaped skyline of Dunmail Raise between Steel Fell and Seat Sandal. In the spring a carpet of bluebells covers Loughrigg Terrace and the stunning Deerbolts Wood and Redbank Wood flank the western shoreline. There is one island, which we are asked not to land on. The smallest by surface area of the lakes we are allowed to paddleboard on, this is gorgeous on a chilly autumn morning with hot chocolate or lazy summer afternoon.
Nearby is Wordsworth Grasmere museum, which won the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year award in 2023. The village itself has so much to offer in terms of cafes, bookshops and pubs and you can also visit the Wordsworth family graves. Pop to Faeryland Grasmere for a cup of tea and the wonderful pastel coloured rowing boats.
The walk through the woods to the Loughrigg beach from the White Moss car park is about twenty minutes – lovely but quite demanding.
The Stagecoach bus 555 and 599 run along the eastern shore.
Windermere – Southern Lakes
The largest lake in England, Windermere is the busiest of all the lakes both on the water and the shoreline. There are boats of all shapes and sizes from the Windermere Cruises that run between the Waterhead, Bowness and Lakeside piers plus wakeboarding, speed and hire boats. There are lots of visitor attractions such as Brockhole Visitor Centre, Windermere Jetty Museum and Wray Castle. One of my favourite spots is at the southern tip at Fell Foot, the National Trust property with gorgeous gardens, a children’s play area, café and Active Base centre for showers and changing rooms (for a small fee). Park in the southern car park for the short walk to the launch point.
The Stagecoach 505, 555 and 599 run along the eastern shoreline.
Coniston – Southern Lakes
Coniston is perhaps the most elegant of the ten lakes we are allowed to paddleboard on. It has the beautiful National Trust Gondola, Peel Island of Swallows and Amazons fame and historical connections to philosopher John Ruskin and Donald Campbell’s Bluebird. With wonderful views to the Old Man of Coniston, it is the third longest and fifth largest lake by surface area so is great for a longer day of paddling.
On the western shore is Brown Howe car park, a very family friendly spot with picnic tables and accessible facilities. Launch from here for your own Swallows and Amazons’ adventure to ‘Wild Cat’ Island, conditions permitting.
The Stagecoach 505 runs from Kendal to Coniston via Windermere.
Wastwater – Western Lakes
The deepest lake in England – its deepest point being 79m – Wastwater was named one of the Royal Geographical Society’s Seven Natural Wonders of the UK in 2021. Nearby is the tallest mountain of Scafell Pike, the smallest church St Olaf’s and the imposing Screes that line the eastern shore. Steep rock covered slopes they plunge at an angle deep below the water’s surface. Alfred Wainwright himself called the path here ‘A dreadful place… avoidable only by a swim in the lake.’ Having paddled on the sea, rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries, marshes and harbours researching my first book Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain – Beautiful Places to Paddleboard in England, Scotland and Wales I had never once been scared until I paddled on Wastwater beneath those imposing Screes.
Ultimately after many visits I came to love the lake and the stunning views towards the iconic Yewbarrow, Lingmell and Great Gable.
There are a number of laybys along the western shore, with quick access to the shoreline, although these do get very busy on sunny days. Please don’t park in passing places or where the sheep graze. A good option is to park in Nether Wasdale and use the Wasdale Shuttle bus (summer weekends only). Even better is to stay overnight at the YHA Wasdale Hall where you can park safely and access the lake within 30 seconds!
There is no public transport direct to Wastwater.
Western lake shore: NY 151 053
YHA Wasdale Hall: NY 144 044
Buttermere – Western Lakes
With dappled light through the trees, Fleetwith Pike, waterfalls, a bothy up high, a tunnel along the pathway and a lake that can be paddled round in a couple of hours on a summer’s afternoon, Buttermere has so much to recommend it. Larger only than Grasmere and Loweswater, it is significantly smaller than its neighbour Crummock Water, although the two were once joined. Alfred Wainwright’s ashes are scattered on Hay Stacks nearby, a summit he once described as ‘..supreme. This is in fact the best fell top of all.’ Buttermere features on the front cover of my book as Ali Phillips of Always Swimming Wild and I enjoyed a gentle morning paddle one misty July morning.
The best place for launching is the beach at the northern end of the lake, about a ten minute walk from Buttermere village. There are a number of car park options in the village, plus gorgeous cafes and pubs. You will need a permit for Buttermere which can be bought at the National Trust car park just a short walk outside the village or using the PaybyPhone app before you go. National Trust membership covers your parking but not the permit. Boating and fishing in Buttermere Valley | National Trust
The Stagecoach 77 and 77A (summer only) run a loop service serving Keswick, Crummock and Buttermere. There is also a summer 2024 shuttlebus from Cockermouth to Buttermere.
Crummock Water – Western Lakes
Originally joined to Buttermere, Crummock is the seventh largest of the ten lakes we can paddleboard on and was one of the first I visited to research my book. It was May and with my journal in hand I took the bus from Keswick and then walked along the lake from the boathouse to Cinderdale Common and the Valley of the Bluebells. It was breathtakingly beautiful as is the lake in an understated, quiet sort of way. At the northern end Lanthwaite Wood offers some shelter as you paddle with mighty Mellbreak overlooking your journey. Two thirds of the way down is the unique geological feature of the tombolo (imagine two crescent moon shaped beaches) on the western shore and at the southern tip the beautiful fir trees and Woodhouse Islands to paddle round.
Park in the National Trust car park at Lanthwaite Wood for a fifteen minute walk to beach. Walk a few minutes further to the boathouse for a super more secluded beach area. It’s the spot I really fell in love with Crummock.
As with Buttermere and Loweswater a permit is required to paddle on Crummock which can be purchased at the National Trust car park in Lanthwaite Wood or Buttermere village on the PaybyPhone app in advance. Boating and fishing in Buttermere Valley | National Trust
The Stagecoach 77 and 77A (summer only) run a loop service serving Keswick, Crummock and Buttermere. There is also a summer 2024 shuttlebus from Cockermouth to Buttermere.
Lanthwaite Woods: NY 152 208
Boat House: NY 154 205
Loweswater – Western Lakes
For a peaceful, out of the hustle and bustle of the Lake District kind of paddle Loweswater is your lake. The shallowest of all the lakes at only 16m it is unique in being the only lake of the ten that drains inwards to the fells and nearby Crummock. One of the loveliest spots to spend the day is by the National Trust bothy set on the shoreline within Holme Wood. In spring there are wood anemones and bluebells and in the autumn, the trees change colour to reveal the unique planting design of a pheasant eye, beak and wing. The woods and slopes of Fangs Brow, Darling Fell and Burnbank Fell create a gentler setting for your paddle than the more imposing Wastwater and Ullswater fells. Sheep graze by the lakeside and Belted Galloway cattle roam nearby.
There is a small free car park called Maggie’s Bridge and from here walk twelve minutes through the hay meadows to the shoreline near Watergate Farm. Follow the path another ten minutes into the woods and launch from the beach by the bothy.
Like Buttermere and Crummock a permit is required from the National Trust to paddle here. This can be bought from the National Trust car park at Lanthwaite Wood at the northern end of Crummock Water or just outside Buttermere village. There is nowhere currently near the lake to buy it. Alternatively, buy online beforehand with the PaybyPhone app. Boating and fishing in Buttermere Valley | National Trust
There is no public transport to Loweswater.
Watergate Farm: NY127 212
Holme Wood Bothy: NY123 215
Top Paddleboarding Tips:
Paddleboarding in the Lake District really is a wonderful experience and huge privilege. As such it is important that we take great care to look after these unique lakes and stop the spread of Invasive Non Native Species which can cause great damage to the wildlife, flora, fauna and health of the lakes.
Please research and implement the Check, Clean, Dry principles to ensure you don’t unwittingly carry INNS from one lake to another. You will see signs around the shorelines. For more information see Paddle UK guidance, link below. I use a portable Biomate Portable Cleaning Kit also available from Paddle UK. Also be aware of the presence of Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) which can be harmful to dogs and humans. How to help tackle invasive non-native species | Paddle UK
Safety when Paddleboarding
- Always wear the correct leash and buoyancy aid
- Dress appropriately for the water temperature which can remain very cold even in the summer months to avoid cold water shock
- Do not go out in offshore winds (where the wind is blowing from the shore out towards the lake)
- Always carry a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof case on you, not on your board
- Tell someone where you are going, when you expect to return and what to do if you don’t return at the appointed time. Also when you are safely off the water let them know too!
- You can get four seasons in one day in the Lakes and the wind can have a huge impact on your paddle and wellbeing. For beginners look for a wind speed of 0 – 3 mph and for more experienced paddlers I suggest 10 mph as your limit.
- If you are new to the sport, always invest in a lesson or two with a qualified instructor to get the basics which will help you be safer and have more fun. It is the best investment in your paddleboarding journey.
For information on many more places to launch, SUP schools, geology, history, maps, where to stay, recommended cafes and safety information plus stunning photography and stories from local paddlers, I would love you to buy my book Stand Up Paddleboarding in the Lake District – Beautiful Places to Paddleboard in Cumbria with award winning Vertebrate Publishing. It is available on the OS website here: Jo Moseley | Stand-up Paddleboarding in the Lake District (ordnancesurvey.co.uk)
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Go to the shopWishing you many happy and safe adventures in the Lake District! I’d love to hear how you get on. Jo x
You can follow Jo on Instagram @jomoseley and find her at www.jomoseley.com
Email thejoyofsuppodcast@gmail.com
Jo Moseley is the author of two bestselling books about Stand Up Paddleboarding and the host of the podcast The Joy of SUP – The Paddleboarding Sunshine Podcast. She was the first woman to paddleboard coast to coast in 2019, at age 54, picking up litter and fundraising A film about her adventure called Brave Enough – A Journey Home to Joy has been screened at prestigious adventure festivals such as Kendal Mountain Film Festival and Keswick Film Festival.
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