Planning a staycation and want some inspiration?! We’ve got your back! The UK is a fantastic place for a kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard holiday. From meandering countryside rivers to historic city canals and family lake adventures. Whether you’re looking for a fully active holiday or just a day out doing something different we’ll let you know where you can paddle near you. And did you know? Caravan and Motorhome Club have sites up and down the country just a stone’s throw away from many paddling routes. So pick your destination and paddle, as well as a perfect site to call home during your holiday. Follow us up the country (in a very wiggly line) as we take you on a tour of 11 of our favourite places for a paddling staycation in the UK.
Here are our top places for a paddling holiday in the UK:
- Hampshire and the New Forest
- River Thames
- London
- Grand Union Canal (London – Birmingham)
- Suffolk, River Stour
- Hereford, River Wye
- Leicestershire, River Soar
- Peak District, Peak Forest Canal
- Norfolk Broads & Cambridgeshire
- Liverpool and Leeds Canals
- Lake District
Looking for a little more advice on how to be ready for your paddling staycation, check out our sections on:
What to take on your paddling holiday
What to know before you go
Where to go on your paddling holiday
The first thing to do is check out what waterways are near to where you’re staying! Look for rivers, canals and even lakes you will be close to using our Paddlepoints map.
Paddle UK membership gives you a licence access to over 4,500km of waterways, with family membership starting from just £68 for a whole year.
We even have a handy waterway checker on the membership page, which allows you to quickly find out if places to paddle near you are covered by your licence.
If you haven’t decided where you’re going to go yet, our ideas below might just help you choose!
Top UK Paddling Staycation Ideas
Hampshire and the New Forest
This area may be best known for wild ponies and picture-perfect villages but there are also some great paddling opportunities to be had.
The Beaulieu River has been under the custodianship of the Montagu family for over four centuries. The word Beaulieu means ‘beautiful place’ and you’ll soon see why! On our River Beaulieu page you can discover two Paddle Trails on the Beaulieu River, which set off from the historic ship building village of Bucklers Hard.
River Thames
When you think of the Thames you usually think of London, but outside of the capital the river has a whole host of delights. A great route on the River Thames for tourists is to paddle from Hampton Court to Richmond. Take in the palace and its surrounding parklands, along with a plethora of other historic sights.
London
The capital city is always exciting to explore but, have you ever considered exploring it from the water? The canals in London once fed its great growth and industry. Now, they are a wonderful way to explore its history and modernisation. There’s something pretty special about seeing London from the water! Paddling from Little Venice to Camden Lock for some shopping and lunch…yes please!
You can also bask in the legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games by heading to Lee Valley White Water Centre, where you can do everything from introductory paddle sessions to white water rafting!
Grand Union Canal
We had to put this last on the list in the south because it quite literally takes you from southern England to the Midlands. The Grand Union Canal was built to link London to Birmingham and Leicester.
There are around 160 locks to negotiate in its 137 mile length from London to Birmingham. If you’re looking for a staycation with a difference why not paddle the entire length of the Grand Union?!
River Stour, Suffolk
This is the river the term ‘picture perfect’ was made for! Artists through the centuries have painted scenes along the Stour, so it’s brilliant for adding some culture into your paddling staycation.
Here’s our top tip for a holiday day out on the River Stour; paddle along to a spot depicted in a famous painting and then get each member of the family to paint or draw their own version!
Hereford, River Wye
The charming River Wye starts in the Welsh Mountains and for much of its length, flows with one bank in Wales and the other in England. It’s a popular place for holiday paddling and there are lots of hire providers along its length.
Herefordshire is a particular hotspot if you’re looking for canoe, kayak or SUP hire, or you want someone to guide you along a stretch.
Fancy a bigger holiday adventure on the Wye? We’ve got a multi-day River Wye Paddling Challenge you can take on with friends or family.
Leicestershire, River Soar
Running for 24 miles through the Leicestershire countryside, the River Soar might not be a big tourist destination but that makes it all the more special. Its quiet waters run through lush green fields and quiet villages, with the added bonus of pub gardens leading down to the waters edge!
It’s a great place for a holiday paddle, with little in the way of rapids or other potential hazards. A lovely choice for a midland’s staycation!
Peak District, Peak Forest Canal
Another segue way from one part of the country to another, the Peak Forest Canal is said to be one of the most scenic in the country. Being so close to the Peak District it makes for a nice change from hiking the hills if you’re there for your staycation.
It’s a particularly popular waterway for stand up paddleboarders, as it has a long, well sheltered stretch with no locks.
Norfolk Broads and Cambridgeshire
We couldn’t leave this bounty of paddling locations off our list! The Norfolk Broads offers different options for you to canoe, kayak or paddleboard every day of your holiday. Travel from one Broad to another and even take a trip into Norwich on the water.
In Cambridgeshire you can glide past the hallowed buildings of renowned colleges in the city or head out to cruise along wildlife filled fens.
Take a look at our Five Favourite Places to Paddle in Norfolk and Cambridge.
Liverpool and Leeds
Bear with us here, we know these are very different cities, but they do have a couple of things in common – fantastic canal networks and historic docklands to explore!
In fact, you can paddle all the way from Leeds to Liverpool along the Leeds Liverpool Canal. What a way to get two city breaks into one holiday!
Lake District
No list of paddling staycation destinations could be complete without the Lake District adding in. There are so many great locations it can be hard to know where to start! Luckily for you, we created a list of five lakes which are perfect for holiday paddling here!
What to take on your paddling holiday
This very much depends on what you already have! There are hundreds of Paddle UK affiliated providers around the UK who can help provide you with hire equipment, from kayaks, canoes and paddleboards to safety equipment and even maps.
Here are a few items you’ll want to make sure you’ve packed in your suitcases though:
- Clothes for whatever weather you might encounter on the water. You can read about the best clothes for paddling here.
- Waterproof bag/drybag. At the very least this should be big enough to put your mobile phone in. If you’ve got a bigger bag you can put your spare clothes in there too.
- Sunscreen and waterproofs. This is the UK; you need to be ready whatever the weather!
- Membership Card – you might be asked to show this on some waterways, so make sure you have it with you.
If you’re already keen paddlers with all the gear, you’ll just need to know where you can safely launch your craft.
Either way our Paddlepoints map is your go-to resource! On Paddlepoints you can easily find hire providers, places to launch, camping spots and where you can stop for refreshments on your adventures.
What to know before you go
Whoever you’re on holiday with you’ll want to make sure your time on the water is safe and enjoyable. If you’re new to paddling or want to brush up on existing skills, take a course before your staycation, or even make it part of your holiday! We have Delivery Partners based around the country who can take you from beginner paddler to a super skilled pro! Find out about course options here. Enjoy Your Paddling Staycation!
Paddle UK members get a 10% discount to Caravan and Motorhome Club membership, giving you access to even more savings such as: save £15 per night at Club campsites, save on great days out, everyday products and touring essentials. Paddle UK members also save £25* per booking on Experience Freedom glamping breaks, all year round!
There you have it, a fantastic choice of places to paddle on your holidays. Now, all you have to do is grab your gear and get going! Don’t forget to ‘pack’ your Paddle UK membership, so you have access to all those wonderful waterways!