Canoe Holidays UK: 7 Must-Go Places for a Canoe Trip
Are you looking for canoe holiday UK hotspots? Here at NorthShore Watersports, we’ve researched countless paddling waterways across the country to find the best locations for canoe trips for families, groups and solo paddlers.
With beautiful spots in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, our list includes ideal locations all over the UK. Whether you’re an experienced paddler or new to the sport, you can find the perfect spot on our list for all your upcoming canoe adventures!
England
Derwentwater, Lake District National Park
When it comes to canoe holidays in the UK, England has a lot to offer! First on our list is Derwentwater in the Lake District. If you’re looking for a canoeing UK location that offers stunning landscapes to enjoy as you paddle, Derwentwater is up there as one of the best.
Also known as ‘Queen of the Lakes’, Derwentwater canoe trips are peaceful and relaxing. With gentle waters and spectacular views over the fells, it’s an excellent location for beginners and young families who want to practice their technique and enjoy time together without needing too much technical skill.
Derwentwater also sits near the lovely market town of Keswick, which has lots of shops, cafes, pubs, hotels, and guesthouses to enjoy during your time on land. As you paddle, you’re almost sure to see local wildlife including otters, red squirrels and perhaps even the vendace — the UK’s rarest fish!
Cornish Coast
Next on our list of canoe holidays in the UK is the beautiful Cornish coast. The first thing you might think about when you hear ‘Cornish coast’ is surfing, but the county’s shoreline also features a network of inlets and estuaries ideal for canoe adventures! Head to Lizard Point to explore caves and spot seals or paddle the waters of Hanover Cove and Bosahan Cove for more remote canoeing.
Many experienced paddlers rank Fowey River as the top place for canoeing in Cornwall. Winding through woodland, this waterway offers lots of secret creeks to look down, and there are plenty of places to launch your boat. If you have time, we recommend trying to fit in a paddle from the historic Cotehele Quay up River Tamar, too. Not only do you pass beneath the iconic Calstock Viaduct and see old quays and wharves along your way, but you also get the chance to spot deer, kingfishers and peregrine falcons!
Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary, Devon
Our last English canoe trip location is Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary in South Devon. Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary makes a fantastic place for canoe adventures! Launch your boat at Bowcombe Creek and paddle into ‘The Bag’ (a famous, wide area of water in the estuary). From here, you can pull up ashore for a coffee or keep going to Millbay Beach. One of the best times to go canoeing here is at the mid-high tide when you can access the entire estuary and paddle along with your choice of shaded waterways.
For beginners, North and South Sands are ideal, as they’re well sheltered and calm enough for confidence building. And it’s good to remember that the Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary is tidal, so planning your trip is essential — especially if you bring the kids.
Northern Ireland
Strangford Lough
Next on our list is a beautiful canoe holiday hotspot located in Northern Ireland: Strangford Lough. The biggest inlet in the UK, Strangford Lough offers calm and beautiful bays. The narrow waterways connecting the lough to the Irish Sea are very fast and strong, so are more suited to experienced paddlers. However, these open out onto gentle expanses of water, which is where canoeists looking for peaceful canoe trips tend to head.
As you explore, you’ll find Taggart Island, a historic farm, and countless seals relaxing on the Boretree Islands. You can also head further north and enjoy Lough Cuan, a shallow and sheltered basin with some of Northern Ireland’s most stunning landscapes.
River Bann
Another fantastic location in Northern Ireland for canoe holidays and day trips is the River Bann. Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, the River Bann is Northern Ireland’s longest river and a popular trail for canoe trips. Here, you have both tranquil and fast-moving parts to mix-up your trip, as well as striking Irish scenery to take in as you paddle. Head downriver from Toome and through the wildlife-rich Lough Beg, before paddling through the town of Coleraine — or stopping off for traditional Irish food and beer! — and reaching the ocean.
There are plenty of guided tours you can book here and, of course, launching spots along the length of the river, so you don’t have to paddle the full thing!
Scotland
Loch Lomond
Our first location for canoe holidays in Scotland is the stunning Loch Lomond in Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond is Britain’s largest freshwater lake and is one of the best places in the UK for open water canoeing. The loch is speckled with islands and bays for exploring and you can even see castles, medieval settlements ruins, ospreys, deer, foxes, and otters. Conveniently, it’s easily accessible from many points on the water’s east, west and south shores, which suits visitors travelling in from different directions.
If you want to explore more of the park, there are lots of calm rivers, including Forth and Endrick, as well as the wonderfully-named Loch Drunkie in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park nearby.
Loch Morlich
Next up on our list of canoe holiday locations in Scotland is Loch Morlich. This beauty spot is one of the most remote locations in Scotland, featuring pine trees, red deer and stunning white-sand shores. The beach at the bottom of nearby Mount Cairngorms is the only beach found on a lake in Scotland to have won an award! When it comes to locations for scenic canoe trips, it’s certainly up there with the best.
There’s also a watersports centre right on the lake in case you need help or gear, and the views of the peaks and Glenmore Forest is a perfect backdrop for steady and relaxing canoeing.
Wales
Pembrokeshire
If you’re looking for canoe holidays in Wales, Pembrokeshire could be the perfect place for you. This Welsh area includes River Teifi, Cilgerren Castle and Cilgerran Gorge, making it ideal for a long weekend full of canoeing activities! There are many places to start from when it comes to launching your canoe – just make sure you check the tide times first.
Pembrokeshire is packed with coves, creeks and cliffs, with striking rock formations and schools of dolphins to see. Beginning at Teifi Estuary, you can paddle through woodlands filled with otters, kites and herons. Heading downstream from here, you enter the sea near Cardigan before passing Cilgerran Castle. Take care after this; as the waters surrounding Cilgerran Gorge are rough, perhaps learners and youngsters should give this section a miss.
Snowdonia National Park
Last but certainly not least on our list of canoe holiday UK locations is the famous Snowdonia National Park in Wales. This Welsh beauty spot is one of the most popular national parks in the UK, and it includes a series of fantastic places for canoe adventures within its boundaries.
Imagine peaceful paddles by towering mountains, sailing by old slate mines and cliffs. We recommend visiting Lyyn Gwynant beneath Mount Snowdon or opt for Bala Lake for an even more remote and quiet experience!
There you have our top seven canoe holiday UK hotspots to consider this year! Before you head off on any watersports venture, make sure you’re kitted out with all you need. At NorthShore Watersports, we have a wide selection of canoes and paddles, as well as clothing, accessories and buoyancy aids ranges to make sure you stay safe out on the water.
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