10 Best Campsites for Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding has become a popular pastime over recent years, and it’s easy to see why – it’s a very gentle way to get out on the water, and it doesn’t require a whole lot of equipment or technique. If you’re heading off to distant corners of the country with your board in tow, opting for a camping stay makes a lot of sense: what better way to make the most of the outdoors than to stay right there in the open air?
Whether you’re an experienced paddler or just taking your first steps, easy access to a good stretch of calm water is key. So, with that in mind, we’ve picked out 10 of the best campsites in England for paddleboarding, either on site or at nearby lakes, rivers or sheltered seaside spots.
10 of the best campsites for paddleboarding in England
From Cumbria to Cornwall, there are lots of fabulous places to stay for a paddleboarding holiday in England. We’ve listed some of our favourites here – all tried and tested and given the seal of approval by Pitchup customers.
Litton Lakes
Litton Lane, Litton Cheney
Dorset DT2 9DH 
Why here? Paddleboarding locations don’t come much more convenient than this. As the name suggests, Dorset site Litton Lakes has its very own lake, making it supremely easy to launch your board just steps away from your pitch. The flat water of the lake makes it ideal for beginners – and it’s also suitable for kayaking, swims and fishing if you fancy mixing up the activities a bit. Got a bit chilly and wet out on the water? Don’t worry – the site has a café for warming coffees and cakes, and hires out firepits so you can stay toasty in the evenings.
Key facilities: Café, firepit hire, showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… Getting out and about by bike from this campsite is nice and easy, as National Cycle Route 2 passes just by the entrance.
Ream Hills Caravan Park
Mythop Road, Weeton
Preston, Lancashire PR4 3NJ 
Why here? If you’re a complete novice, or you’ve dabbled a little but haven’t yet got your own kit, this is the place for you. Lancashire site Ream Hills Caravan Park is right next door to Blackpool Wake Park, which has paddleboards for hire and offers lessons to help you learn the necessary skills. You can also have a go at wakeboarding, open-water swimming and bouncing across the floating aqua park here too, before toasting your sporting success (or soothing your bruises) with a drink and snacks from the on-site licensed café-bar.
Key facilities: Bar, café, play area, launderette, dogs allowed
One last thing… This is a splendidly peaceful rural location, but it’s also handy for the M55, so you can get to Blackpool in a 15-minute drive for the beach and the bright lights.
Wheal Vreagh Farm
Wheal Vor, Carleen
Helston, Cornwall TR13 9NW
Why here? Ready to take your paddleboard out to sea? The gorgeous three-mile stretch of beach at Porthleven is less than 10 minutes’ drive from this Cornish campsite, and it’s well known as a lovely sheltered place to launch paddleboards or kayaks for a little jaunt along the coastline. This being Cornwall, there are plenty of other beaches close by too: sprawling Praa Sands is a short drive to the north, and the coves of the Lizard Peninsula slightly to the south. And once you’re done for the day, you can chill out on spacious pitches and light up a barbecue in view of a Cornish sunset.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, launderette
One last thing… This is a great spot for mixing up your beach days with other outings like a trip to the art galleries of St Ives or a fun-filled day on the rides of Flambards Theme Park.
Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre
Bransgore
Hampshire BH23 8EE 
Why here? Paddleboarding is just one of the many activities on offer at Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre, in the New Forest a few miles from Lymington. If you’ve got energetic kids to entertain, this place should do the trick: not only can they take to the lake for paddleboarding and kayak sessions, they can also have a go on the climbing tower, try their hand at archery and learn a few bushcraft skills. The location is fabulous for active days out too, with bike trails and forest walking routes nearby and the south coast a few miles away for more water-based fun.
Key facilities: Café, fishing lake, play area, bike hire, showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… You’ll need plenty of fuel to get you through all those activities, so it’s handy that there’s a café on site where you can pick up lunches and light bites.
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Greenacres Campsite
Scowles Road, Coleford
Gloucestershire GL16 8QS 
Why here? The River Wye is a popular place for paddleboarders, and it’s easy to see why – it’s got plenty of places to put in, calm waters and lots of wildlife to see as you go by. Greenacres Campsite, just outside the town of Coleford, is in an excellent spot for getting out on the river – it’s a couple of miles from the nearest riverbank and a 15-minute drive from Symonds Yat, known as a paddleboarding hub and with kit hire and instruction available. In between outings, you’ll be staying on an 11-acre smallholding with spacious and sheltered pitches where you can finish your days in true outdoor style with a campfire or barbecue.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, launderette, dogs allowed
One last thing… There’s plenty to do on dry land here too – the site is in the Forest of Dean, very close to Puzzlewood, Clearwell Caves and Perrygrove Railway as well as all sorts of walking and bike trails.
Stithians Lake Campsite
Stithians Lake, Menherion
Redruth, Cornwall
TR16 6NW 
Why here? This Cornish campsite is another excellent choice for active holidays for families, groups and couples – the spacious pitches here are on the banks of the 275-acre Stithians Lake, a real hive of watersports activity. Paddleboarding is one of the options, of course, and you can also have a go at windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and water zorbing. Equipment hire and qualified instructors are on hand for those taking their first watery steps, but you’re equally welcome to bring your own kit along. A café and refreshment kiosk are on site to help keep energy levels up, and there’s a pub a short walk away too.
Key facilities: Café, play area, showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… The lake isn’t all about watersports – there are also walking trails, picnic areas and a bird hide by the water, and you can fish for trout if you have the right licence.
Caldbeck Camping
Friar Row, Caldbeck
Wigton, Cumbria
CA7 8DS 
Why here? Not one but many lakes await for guests at Caldbeck Camping – this Cumbria site is on the edge of the Lake District National Park, so you’ll have access to lots of lovely watery areas for days of paddleboarding (or windsurfing, or walks, or bike rides…). The top spot for many visitors is Derwentwater, about half an hour’s drive away, for paddles with pretty views. On site, things are kept fairly simple, but you’ll have access to a shower and toilets and are welcome to set up a campfire or barbecue for a cosy evening.
Key facilities: Fishing on site, showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… This is one of those sites where you can get out for a walk very easily – either into the neighbouring forest, or down to the local pub – and there’s also a stream on site for a bit of fishing.
Ings Kippers Campsite
Hill Top, Windermere
Cumbria LA8 9PY 
Why here? This small and simple site is a fabulously peaceful spot for your Lake District adventures – it’s set up for adults only and doesn’t accept groups or families, so there should be very little to disturb the rural quiet. The location is an excellent one too: it’s a couple of miles from Windermere, the national park’s biggest lake and a fine spot to launch your paddleboards from sheltered bays. Hikes, bike rides and wild swims can also be on the menu nearby – and whatever you get up to, you can warm up back at base with a hot shower and a campfire in the firepit that’s provided for each pitch.
Key facilities: Firepits, showers, toilets
One last thing… There are lots of lovely walks around here, but perhaps one of the most rewarding is the five-minute stroll to the local award-winning pub and microbrewery.
Blakes Keiro Caravan Site
Blakes Keiro Farm, St Minver
Wadebridge, Cornwall
PL27 6RP 
Why here? The Cornish coastline is a fabulous location for paddleboarders, with sheltered launching beaches and lots of lovely little coves to explore, and Blakes Keiro Caravan Site is in a great spot to take advantage of that. This simple farm site is just outside Rock, where you can launch paddleboards on the calm waters of the Camel Estuary or sign up for lessons from an instructor in town. Walks, golf, fishing and traffic-free bike rides on the Camel Trail are nearby too, and the surf beach of Polzeath is about three miles away. Back on site, all is kept low-key and peaceful, so you should be in for a good night’s sleep in between all your outdoor adventures.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… For a true taste of Cornwall right there at the site, head to Nana’s Cream Teas for a homemade scone slathered with jam and cream while gazing out over the gardens.
Book Blakes Keiro Caravan Site
Luckford Wood Caravan and Camping
Holme Lane, East Stoke
Wareham, Dorset
BA20 6AP 
Why here? The giant stone arch at Durdle Door must be one of the most iconic sights on England’s coastline – and paddleboarding through and around it must be one of the very best ways to experience it. That’s something you can certainly put on the schedule while you’re staying at Luckford Wood Caravan and Camping, in the Dorset countryside near Wool – the Jurassic Coast is only about a 20-minute drive away, making it easy to get out for paddles taking in the huge craggy arch and its near-neighbour Lulworth Cove. Guided paddles are available too if you don’t have the right kit or techniques.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, dogs allowed
One last thing… This is a very peaceful rural spot with only minimal facilities, so it’s a bit of a wildlife haven – if you take a quiet walk around the grounds you may catch sight of the local deer grazing.
Book Luckford Wood Caravan and Camping
Keen to find out where else you could launch your board while on a camping, motorhome or glamping trip? Have a browse through all our sites around the UK, and use our tick-box filters to find the perfect spot for you.