9 Best Water Sports to Try in The Lake District

The Daffodil Hotel might be a luxurious, relaxing place to stay, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for an adventure! When it comes to water sports, Lake District offers opportunities like no other region in the UK.

The Daffodil Hotel is just a stone’s throw from the River Rothay and the lake of Grasmere, both of which offer plenty of fantastic water sports. Further afield, you can find Lake Windermere, Coniston Water, Esthwaite Water, Derwentwater, and Thirlmere.

Let’s take a look at some of the water sports you can enjoy at Grasmere and the rest of the Lake District.

WATER SPORTS IN GRASMERE

First, let’s look at some water sports you can enjoy on the doorstep of your gorgeous room at The Daffodil Hotel.

Please note that you cannot launch sailboats or powered crafts on Grasmere Lake, and there is also no access to the islands.

1. BOAT HIRE AT FAERYLAND LAKE

Faeryland has rowing boats you can hire and take out onto the lake.

Nothing says I love you quite like whisking your sweetheart away for a romantic boat ride. Pack a picnic basket and take one of the rowing boats out for a sunset session.

When you’re back on dry land, you can enjoy afternoon tea back at the Daffodil Hotel.

2. STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING

Although you can’t rent a stand-up paddle board from Faeryland, you’re welcome to use your own gear for a small fee.

Grasmere Lake is the perfect setting for paddle boarding, as it is calm and surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

3. SWIMMING

Ready for some wild swimming in the chilly waters of Grasmere Lake or the River Rothay?

The Lake District has many adventurous water sports and other outdoor activities to try, but none are as classic as swimming in the area’s gorgeous lakes. The Lake District National Park’s natural beauty is a sight for sore eyes, and Grasmere offers several secluded swimming spots.

Sour Milk Ghyll and Easedale Tarn are two walks around Grasmere that will see you stumbling upon lots of rock pools and a waterfall – perfect for cooling off!

WATER SPORTS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

Water sports at Grasmere are limited, as sailing and powered crafts are not permitted. Fortunately, Lake Windermere is a quick 20-minute drive to the south. This lake and several others in the region host many water sports all year round.

Before you get started, though, head to one of the visitor centres for more information about Windermere. Also, consult the Lake District government website to confirm which activities are available at different lakes.

1. SAILING

Sailing is allowed on many of the water bodies in the Lake District, including Lake Windermere and Coniston Water; both a short drive from The Daffodil Hotel.

You can charter your own yacht or take sailing lessons with the qualified instructors of OB Sailing.

Low Wood Bay Water Sports Centre, located at Low Wood Bay Marina, offers both instructed sessions and sailing trips, along with powerboat courses, kayaking courses and boat hire.

2. KAYAKING AND CANOEING

Kayaking and canoeing are the favourite outdoor activities of people visiting the Lake District.

There are several places where you can rent kayaks and canoes or bring your own along.

Windermere Canoe and Kayak have affordable rentals available, or you can book a guided tour of a sheltered bay situated on a private stretch of shoreline.

3. PADDLE BOARDING

Just like at Grasmere, you can enjoy paddle boarding on many of the water bodies in the Lake District.

It may not be the most adrenaline-inducing activity out there, but paddle boarding is one of the best water sports to explore the many intricacies of the lakes.

Coniston Water and Thirlmere Reservoir are great locations for paddle boarding, as these lakes are less touristy.

For SUP hire or lessons, contact Lake District Paddle Boarding.

Note that you will require a licence to SUP on Crummock Water, Buttermere and Bassenthwaite Lake.

4. WAKE SURFING OR KNEEBOARDING

Visitors to the Lake District who want to try more exciting water sports should attempt to wake surf or kneeboard on some of the lakes.

Wake Nation offers wakeboarding and wake surfing on Lake Windermere, while Wake and Surf offer wakeboarding on Ullswater, the second-largest lake in the Lake District.

5. RIB TOURS

Those seeking adventure and speed cannot go wrong with RIB tours. Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) can go incredibly fast and often form the highlight of a person’s visit to the Lake District.

Graythwaite Adventure offers one-hour RIB tours, which start at the private Graythwaite Estate, 30 minutes from the Daffodil Hotel.

6. HEAD TO AN ADVENTURE CENTRE

If you are still trying to figure out where to begin with your water sports activities in the Lake District, there are several adventure centres which can guide you.

Newlands Adventure Centre is a 30-minute drive from Grasmere, but well worth it! The Newlands Adventure Centre offers plenty of water sports and activities. You can go kayaking, ghyll scrambling or canoeing at Derwentwater. They also have land-based activities like biking and archery.

Keswick Adventure Centre offers what they dub “Damp” activities, such as canoeing, raft building, paddle boarding, and Honister Ghyll scrambling.

Staying in and around Keswick, Keswick Extreme has a unique offering: river tubing! Equipped with a tube and paddle, you can take it easy or try the man-made rapid section.

FAQS

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN THE LAKE DISTRICT?

The Lake District is all about, well, the lakes! Tourists gravitate to the waters, and many opt for relaxing boat cruises or exciting water sports.

WHEN IS THE BEST MONTH TO VISIT THE LAKE DISTRICT?

If you want to make the most of the lovely weather and enjoy the water sports without getting bogged down by tourists, then May to September are the best months to visit the Lake District.

CAN YOU SWIM IN THE LAKE DISTRICT?

You can swim in most lakes and rivers in the Lake District, with the exception of reservoirs and privately owned water bodies. According to the Lake District government website, Ennerdale Water, Esthwaite Water, Haweswater Reservoir, and Thirlmere Reservoir do not allow swimming.

SPEND YOUR LAKE DISTRICT WATER SPORTS GETAWAY AT THE DAFFODIL HOTEL

There is no shortage of water sports in the Lake District. Grasmere offers informal water activities, like SUPing, kayaking and swimming.

Within a 30-minute drive from Grasmere, you will come across many other lakes offering more exciting water sports like power boats, ghyll scrambling and wakeboarding.

The water sports opportunities are endless in the Lake District, and the Daffodil Hotel is the perfect base for exploration!

Discover our luxurious Lake District rooms and suites available to book today. And why not treat yourself to a spa treatment after your water sports adventure?