Lake and river activities

You don’t need to head to the seaside to enjoy the best beaches and activities – there’s plenty of fun to be had inland at our rivers and lakes. So here are 10 activities for enjoying an amazing day at the water.

Go Fish

There are all kinds of wonderful creatures in our rivers and lakes. Take the kids’ fishing nets and see what they can find.

Minnows, sticklebacks, newts and more can all be caught in UK lakes and rivers. Don’t forget to put them back when you’ve finished!

Looking Under Rocks

You can find so much under the rocks by rivers and lakes. Larvae, molluscs and more than a few surprises are all waiting under the rocks.

Stone Skimming

Find a disc-like stone and curl it from waist height to make it skim over the surface of the water. Did you know, the distance record in 2018 was 400 ft!

Wild Swimming

Taking a dip in a river or lake has never been more popular. Take a look at our recommendations for a dip with your doggie or visit the Wild Swimming website for the safest and most scenic places to swim!

Picnic on the bank

You won’t find a more scenic spot for lunch than a lake shore or river bank. Gentle water, wildlife and good weather are perfect accompaniments for a picnic or BBQ.

Messing about on the River

Whether you bring your own dinghy or kayak, or rent a rowboat, a gentle ride down the river or on the waters is wonderful way to pass the time, rest and relax.

Wildlife spotting

You will find an abundance of wildlife on the banks of rivers and lakes. Butterflies, ducks and swans are all fairly easy to spot, but keep an eye out for otters, heron and kingfishers too!

Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of items for the kids to find in and around the water, or go ‘off-piste’ and see what they can find!

Make art

Whether drawing in the sand or making sculptures with rocks, sticks and anything else you might find, river banks and lake shores are perfect places for indulging your inner artist.

Water Sports

Lakes and rivers don’t need to be restful. Enjoy zorbs, kayaks, paddle boards, boats, pedaloes and aqua adventure parks at locations all over the UK.