This year adventure travel is trending, as more of us look to get off the beaten track to decompress and reset. But a look at any of the UK’s prettiest waterways and bodies of water, dotted with people wielding their oars, is enough to prove you don’t need to catch a flight to get many of the same benefits.
Stand-up paddleboarding is trending as a pursuit. Last summer, researched showed that 4.5m Britons had tried it and that over 1m owned a board. It was named the nation’s fastest-growing sport. No doubt these numbers will only grow in the coming months with a sunny summer ahead of us promised by the Met office.
And if you want to get on board with the hype, or are already the proud owner of an SUP, London has plenty of pretty spots to set off from. These are the eight best, according to Lisa Drewe, the author of new book 100 Places to SUP.
Millwall Outer Dock, Isle of Dogs
A bustling industrial hub in the 19th century, Millwall Outer Dock has been transformed into a tranquil waterway surrounded by modern residential developments and green spaces. A unique and scenic spot for paddle boarding in East London, you can glide across its usually calm waters, enjoying views of the iconic dockside cranes that were once essential for loading cargo but now stand in striking contrast to the sleek, colourful skyscrapers of nearby Canary Wharf.
The dock's peaceful environment, coupled with its proximity to city life, makes it an ideal spot for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders. The Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre, a local charity, serves as a lively hub for watersports enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities including paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking in the heart of London’s historic docklands.
Route map: islandeering.com
Access restrictions: Self-launch booking via Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre
OS Map: OS Explorer Map 161, London South
Parking: Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre, 235A Westferry Road, London, E14 3QS (grid ref. TQ 372 790; What3Words neon.brass.duck)
Pitstops: The Space is an atmospheric café bar and arts centre in a former Victorian chapel a short walk from the centre (020 7515 7799)
Lessons and hire: Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre (020 7537 2626)
Need to know: Be sure to clean your board before you enter the water to prevent spread of non-native plants and animal species.
Buckland Park Lane, Surrey
This pristine lake and watersports lagoon, set within a beautiful nature reserve, offers a serene Mediterranean vibe. Developed from a former sand quarry, it features clear turquoise waters surrounded by lush greenery and sandstone cliffs - a tranquil spot between Reigate and Dorking for nature lovers, swimmers and paddlers.
The shallow lagoon with its sandy beach is an excellent place for families or beginners to learn to paddle board, while the more experienced can explore the large lake. The Surrey Hills Adventure Company runs paddle boarding sessions and lessons and an open-water swimming club, and the surrounding park offers a range of activities for visitors, with a playground and paddling pool, woodland adventure tours and more.
There are also good trails around the lake reserve and the lagoon is a hotspot for birdwatching throughout the year, with waterfowl as well as migratory birds. A lovely glass-fronted relaxed dining venue perched on a peninsula overlooking the lake offers great food in a lovely location, while a lakeside van offers hot drinks and food.
Route map: islandeering.com
Access restrictions: Self-launch (charges) booking via SHAC (must be able to demonstrate competency on water)
OS Map: OS Explorer 162, Maidstone & the Medway Towns
Parking: Buckland Park Lake (free if booked in with SHAC), Park Lake Drive, Betchworth, RH3 7FE (grid ref. TQ 226 507; What3Words elder.sang.goats)
Pitstops: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Reverie (01737 843023), El Rocinante lagoon-side food truck for burgers, baps and cakes (07493 027131)
Lessons and hire: The Surrey Hills Adventure Company (theshac.co.uk)
Need to know: No dogs on site due to wildlife. Please clean your paddleboard before entering the water to prevent spread of non-native plant and animal species.
Regent’s Canal, Paddington to King’s Cross
Leave behind the glittering towers of modern businesses for a unique view of the capital’s industrial heritage, green spaces, vibrant boating communities, and even the occasional monkey or wolf. This trip offers a seamless blend of the contemporary, historic, and wild.
Launch from the modern architecture and lively atmosphere of Merchant Square, passing under the Westway and the A404 into charming Little Venice with its Regency architecture and Waterside Café floating on a barge. Keep right past Rembrandt Gardens and, after Warwick Bridge, exit the canal on the left bank for the Maida Hill Tunnel portage. Turn right onto Blomfield Road, cross the A5, and continue onto Aberdeen Place. At the sharp left bend near Crocker's Folly, take the alleyway straight ahead, then walk down the steps to relaunch on the canal at the north end of the tunnel. Continue past the vibrant Lisson Grove moorings, pass under the rail bridges and alongside Park Road, where the canal winds through a scenic green stretch next to Regent’s Park and along past some stunning villas.
The next landmark, Macclesfield Bridge, originally built in 1816, gained the nickname "Blow-up Bridge" after a tragic gunpowder barge explosion in 1874. Jungle-like sounds may arise from Monkey Valley at London Zoo on the left, and wolves can occasionally be seen in their enclosure on the right. As the canal approaches a sharp left bend, the floating red pagoda of the Feng Shang Princess, a Chinese restaurant in Cumberland Basin, comes into view, surrounded by houseboats floating on green duckweed. Continue under two road bridges and a rail bridge populated by pigeons to reach the Pirate Castle, a mock-castellated red-brick building used by a community boating charity, surrounded by colourful rafts of kayaks. Beyond this point, the bustling energy of Camden Lock awaits, with its vibrant mix of shops, street food, and canalside bars.
Pass under the road bridge with Camden Market on the left, and portage at Hawley Lock, also on the left. After passing Kentish Town Lock and the road bridge, the atmosphere becomes calmer. On the right, after Camden Street bridge, is the utilitarian British Transport Police Headquarters. Continue beneath a network of road bridges before entering St Pancras Basin, where the large restored Victorian gasholder frames mark Gasholder Park, a popular green space for watching boats pass through St Pancras Lock. Exit the canal here and walk over the footbridge to reach King's Cross Station.
Distance: 5km paddle one way, plus 700m portage around Maida Hill Tunnel
Route map: islandeering.com
Access restrictions: Licence required, included in Paddle UK membership; paddling through the 251-metre Maida Hill Tunnel is not permitted
OS Map: OS Explorer 173, London North
Parking: Randolph Road (charges), Paddington, London, W9 1AN (grid ref. TQ 263 820; What3Words strain.tuck.string)
Pitstops: Brunch on a barge at Darcie & May Green, in Merchant Square (020 3935 9045); have tea and cake at The Waterside Café in Little Venice (020 7266 1066) or stop for a pint at the Constitution pub, Camden Lock (020 7380 0767)
Lessons and hire: Active360 (active360.co.uk) and Paddleboarding London, Camden (paddleboardinglondon.co.uk)
Need to know: Can leave pump and carry case in left luggage (charges apply) on Platform 12 at Paddington Station. There is one 700m portage to avoid Maida Hill Tunnel and three locks to portage. Some portages have tall banks, so bring a 3-metre tape and a karabiner attached to the board's bow or stern D-ring/grab handle to help pull the board out of the water.
River Lea, Tottenham
Paddling the River Lea between Tottenham Hale and Hackney Wick offers a unique mix of urban grit and natural beauty, where industrial and residential areas meet wild spaces. The river meanders past large reservoirs, marshes, and graffiti-covered warehouses, with sections where the city’s hum mixes with the rustle of reeds and birdsong, creating a vibrant contrast of sounds and scenery. Starting at Tottenham Hale and heading downstream (south), the River Lea flows alongside the Lea Valley reservoirs. On the right, houses line the water’s edge, while on the left the green banks of the reservoirs stretch out, mostly hidden from view.
As the river curves gently, the Lea Rowing Club comes into sight, followed by the green slopes of Springfield Park on the right. Across the river, Lee Valley Marina is home to narrowboats floating peacefully on the water. Soon, the river opens up into Walthamstow Marshes, one of the last untouched areas of London’s ancient wetlands, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding urban sprawl. Further along, the Leaside
Trust, a watersports charity, sits on the right. The river bends right toward Lea Bridge, where the popular Princess of Wales pub sits on the right bank. Opposite, the Middlesex Filter Beds Weir marks the split of the River Lea: the Old River Lea follows its winding original course, while the more direct Lea Navigation, a Victorian canal, carries the main flow toward Hackney. From here, the river passes between homes and the vast green space of Hackney Marshes, famous for its football pitches and natural beauty. After passing under
Marshgate Bridge and the A12, the landscape shifts as the river approaches Hackney Wick. Here, industrial edges soften into an artistic neighbourhood, where old warehouses have become studios, their walls covered in vibrant street art. The river feels like part of a living gallery. Just past the rail bridge, Crate Brewery’s riverside terrace buzzes with people enjoying craft beers in the sunshine.
Beyond the next road bridge, Moo Canoes and The Milk Float offer canoe and kayak rentals, reflecting Hackney Wick’s creative, eco-friendly spirit. This stretch of the river pulses with energy. At the junction with the Hertford Union Canal, Old Ford Lock provides a natural turnaround point for those looking to soak up the Hackney Wick vibe before heading to the nearby rail station. For a longer trip, it's possible to continue from Old Ford Lock and complete the circuit around the Olympic Stadium.
Route map: islandeering.com
Access restrictions: Licence required, included in Paddle UK Membership.
OS Map: OS Explorer 174, Epping Forest & Lee Valley
Starting points: Downstream of Tottenham Hale Lock, off Ferry Lane, Tottenham Hale, N17 9PY (grid ref. TQ 347 894; What3Words could.sleepy.rarely)
Pitstops: At Lea Bridge the Princess of Wales is a popular riverside pub renowned for its roasts (020 8533 3463); there’s great beer and atmosphere at CRATE Brewery in Hackney Wick (07547 695841), or burgers and hotdogs with a Latino twist at The Milk Float (themilkfloat.com)
Lessons and hire: Trips can be organised with Leaside Trust (020 8806 6887), or hire with Moo Canoes at Hackney Wick (07879 909423)
Need to know: Watch out for rowers on the river who may not see you as they pass. Although water levels are managed by locks, check local conditions on the river before your trip at riverlevels.uk
Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross
Combine the excitement of Olympic heritage with a dynamic water environment in a great destination for families and beginners. The Lee Valley White Water Centre, a world-class venue for watersports, was originally built for the London 2012 Olympic Games, where it hosted the canoe slalom events.
Today, it remains one of the UK’s top destinations for thrill-seekers and water enthusiasts, featuring two man-made courses: the 300-metre Olympic Standard Competition Course, with its powerful rapids and challenging turns, and the gentler 160-metre Legacy Loop, which has a calm area for paddleboarding off to the side.
A unique feature of the centre is its water supply, drawn from a borehole that taps into an underground aquifer. This ensures a steady flow of clean water, which is then chlorinated to leave sparkling clear water. The water is pumped into the centre’s lakes and circulated through the rapids, allowing year-round operations with consistently high water quality and controlled flow.
The Terrace Bar & Café provides a comfortable spot to relax with panoramic views of the courses. Visitors can enjoy food and drinks while watching the action, making it an ideal place for spectators. Outdoor seating and picnic areas are also available – perfect for unwinding after a day on the water. Part of the larger Lee Valley Regional Park, the White Water Centre is surrounded by 4,000 hectares of green spaces, lakes, and recreational areas, so there is plenty to see after your paddle.
Route map: islandeering.com
Access restrictions: Self-launch (charges), book with Lee Valley White Water Centre (before entering water you’ll need to have a safety briefing and undertake a short competency assessment).
OS Map: OS Explorer 174, Epping Forest & Lee Valley
Parking: Lee Valley White Water Centre (free with pre-booked activities/greater than £5 spend in café, but you must register your parking), Station Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN9 1AB (grid ref. TL 372 005; What3Words surely.brings.watch)
Pitstops: The onsite café, Brew Street Kitchen and Bar, is great for people-watching.
Lessons and hire: Lee Valley White Water Centre
Need to know: Must wear closed-toe shoes, shorts and T-shirt as minimum; min age 8+, and under-12s must be accompanied by an adult.
Grand Union Canal, Hertfordshire
Between Kings Langley and Batchworth, you can explore a peaceful stretch of the Grand Union Canal, where historic locks, a hidden waterfall and lush parklands run alongside the River Gade. In this scenic section, the canal and river often intertwine, with the canal following the natural course of the Gade in places. This area is known as The Three Rivers (after the Chess, Colne, and Gade) and is home to charming towns like Rickmansworth and Croxley Green. Here, wide green spaces and historic sites reflect the region's industrial heritage, including milling and paper production.
Launch at Kings Langley and turn right (south). Soon, paddle beneath the M25 Gade Valley Viaduct to enter a quiet stretch where the canal runs alongside the River Gade, bordered by green fields. Further along, pass under Hunton Bridge (Bridge 162). From here, a short walk along Bridge Road leads to the charming Kings Head pub. Ahead of the A41 bridge, the South West Herts Narrowboat Trust appears on the left, offering a glimpse into the area's boating history. Further along is the historic Lady Capel’s Lock (74). The route continues past the parklands of The Grove
Hotel, once home to the Earl of Clarendon, and Clarendon Park Farm on the right. Paddling under the graceful span of Grove Bridge and Grove Mill Lane, the canal flows into a wooded section just before reaching Cassiobury Park, a vast public green space with history dating back to the Saxon era. A series of moorings leads to Batchworth Lock, where the River Chess meets the canal near the Batchworth Lock Canal Centre and cafés. Exit here for a short walk to the nearby rail station, or continue a bit further to reach Rickmansworth Aquadrome, a convenient spot to end the trip and collect the car shuttle.
Route map: islandeering.com
Distance: 11km one way; car or train return
Access restrictions: Licence required, included in UK Paddle membership
OS Map: OS Explorer 182, St Albans & Hatfield
Parking: Start Lay-by, Home Park, Mill Link Road, Kings Langley, WD4 8DZ (grid ref. TL 076 019; What3Words rungs.harsh.tubes). Finish Rickmansworth Aquadrome car park (free), Frogmoor Lane, Batchworth, WD3 1NB (grid ref. TQ 056 937; What3Words baked.shower.repair)
Pitstops: The Kings Head is a historic pub at Hunton Bridge (01923 262307); stop for sandwiches and home-made cake at Cafe @ Lock 81, Batchworth Lock (07548 747636)
Need to know: 11 locks to portage
Bray Lake, Berkshire
Tucked away in a scenic part of Berkshire, Bray Lake offers a mix of rich history, community spirit, and all kinds of water activities. Started in 1979 by two windsurfing enthusiasts, it has grown into one of the UK's longest-running watersports centres. Over the past 45 years, Bray Lake has transformed from a gravel pit into a lively hub for windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and open-water swimming.
The centre focuses on creating a safe, fun, and welcoming space where anyone – beginners or pros – can develop their skills or just enjoy the water. Bray Lake is more than just about sport – it’s a vibrant community that embraces nature and the wildlife around it. Over time, it’s added social events, races, and a cosy café that’s a popular spot on weekends.
As the home of the British SUP Club Championships and host to many events, Bray Lake continues to bring together watersports lovers of all levels, making it a must-visit spot for anyone looking for adventure and fun.
Route map: islandeering.com
Access restrictions: Private lake; for self-launch, book with Bray Lake Watersports (braylake.com)
OS Map: OS Explorer 160, Windsor, Weybridge and Bracknell
Parking: Bray Lake Watersports, Monkey Island Lane, Windsor Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2EB (grid ref. SU 911 786; What3Words angle.detect.reap)
Pitstops: Watch the action from the decking at the lake’s Monkey Bar Café (01628 638860)
Lessons and hire: Full range of watersports equipment and lessons available with Bray Lake Watersports (01628 638860)
Need to know: Please clean your board before you enter the water to prevent spread of non-native plants and animal species.
Paddle Boarding London & South East England: 100 Places to SUP, Canoe and Kayak is out now (£18.99, wildthingspublishing.com). Readers can buy the book with 20 per cent off and free P&P with the code LondonStandard
