9 Best Places to Paddle Board in Bassenthwaite, UK

Discover the serene beauty of Bassenthwaite.

Ever considered gliding on picturesque waters in the UK?

The best places to paddle board in Bassenthwaite await your exploration.

Embark on a journey through the tranquil Lake District. Are you ready to paddle?

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Planning Your Paddle in Bassenthwaite

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 15 °C from June through September. July is the warmest month, averaging 17 °C, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: Access in England and Wales depends on who controls the water. The Canal & River Trust requires a valid waterways licence for a paddleboard on its canals and rivers, either short term or through Paddle UK membership, and that licence expressly does not cover the Trust’s reservoirs. Lakes and reservoirs in other hands set their own conditions, so check the individual spot before you load the car. There is no statutory kit list, but official guidance after a fatal accident is blunt: wear a buoyancy aid, and a quick release waist leash in moving water.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists 2 places within 16 miles that hire out boards, kayaks or canoes: Marra Bikes and Boards and Total Adventure Kayak Hire. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Bassenthwaite

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Bassenthwaite Lake

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Wythop Mill (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, light winds on occasion
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, swans, ducks, and other waterfowl
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Skiddaw Mountain, picturesque shorelines, and surrounding woodland
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect nesting birds, observe designated access points

Bassenthwaite Lake, nestled in the Lake District, is a tranquil spot for paddleboarding enthusiasts.

Its peaceful waters and lush green surroundings make for a serene paddling experience. As you glide along the lake, enjoy the stunning views of Skiddaw Mountain and keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife.

#2 Derwentwater

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Keswick Launch (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, light wind sometimes
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, herons, fish
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Catbells, Friar’s Crag, lush green shorelines
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect no-wake zones, observe local bylaws

Located just a short drive from Bassenthwaite, Derwentwater is a popular paddleboarding destination.

With beautiful vistas of the surrounding fells and lush green shorelines, paddleboarders are in for a treat at this enchanting lake.

#3 Ullswater

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Glenridding (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, light breeze on occasion
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Waterfowl, fish, deer
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Helvellyn Mountain, surrounding fells
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stick to designated areas, respect local wildlife

Ullswater, another stunning lakeside paddleboarding spot, is within close proximity to Bassenthwaite.

Surrounded by impressive fells and forest, it’s a peaceful retreat for water enthusiasts seeking beauty and tranquility.

#4 Thirlmere

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Dobgill Car Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, light wind at times
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Badgers, otters, rabbits, numerous bird species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Lush woodland, mountain vistas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Avoid during high water, respect private properties

Thirlmere, a scenic reservoir not too far from Bassenthwaite, offers tranquil flat-water paddling.

With dense woodland surroundings and stunning mountain backdrops, it’s a nature lover’s paradise.

#5 Crummock Water

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Crummock South Beach (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Waterfowl, fish, red squirrels
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Fells, meadows, and sheep pastures
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect local wildlife and aquatic plants

Crummock Water, situated near Bassenthwaite, offers serene paddling amidst breathtaking fells and pastoral landscapes.

Glide through calm waters and enjoy the quiet beauty of this charming Lake District spot.

#6 Loweswater

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: The Place, Loweswater (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, light wind on occasion
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, bird species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Loweswater Fells, picturesque countryside
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local bylaws, be cautious during high water

Loweswater is a hidden gem near Bassenthwaite, perfect for tranquil paddleboarding amidst idyllic fell landscapes.

Enjoy the serenity of this calm lake as you take in the picturesque views and gentle countryside.

#7 Buttermere

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Buttermere Village (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, bird species, squirrels
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Haystacks Fell, surrounding pastures
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local bylaws, respect private properties

Buttermere is a picturesque lake nestled in the Lake District National Park, offering a peaceful paddleboarding experience.

Surrounded by striking fells and lush pastures, it’s a perfect spot for nature lovers seeking tranquility.

#8 Ennerdale Water

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Bowness Knott Car Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, light wind on occasion
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, bird species, red squirrels
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Pillar mountain, surrounding woodland
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local bylaws, be cautious during high water

Ennerdale Water is a serene lake located near Bassenthwaite, ideal for paddleboarding enthusiasts seeking calm waters and beautiful surroundings.

The remote setting provides a sense of solitude and tranquility, perfect for a relaxing paddle.

#9 Wastwater

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Wasdale Head National Trust Car Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, occasional gusts of wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, bird species, red squirrels
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Scafell Pike, surrounding mountains
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local bylaws, respect private properties

Wastwater, England’s deepest lake, is set in a dramatic landscape near Bassenthwaite.

Paddleboarders can enjoy the calm waters while admiring the impressive Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, and other surrounding peaks.

Bassenthwaite sits at the quiet end of the northern lakes, with Keswick a few minutes away and everything the town brings with it. Ullswater is the bigger water over to the east, and our North West guide covers what lies beyond the national park.