The Lake District National Park in Cumbria is England's land of extremes. Alongside the highest peak in the country - Scafell Pike - it boasts the largest lake in England. This is Windemere, and it was here in 1929 that the water speed record was set by Henry Segrave in his ship Miss England II. Windermere is a wonderful place for boating, with miles of shoreline to explore as well as islands and beautiful, mountainous surroundings. But nowadays it’s best to choose a kayak over a speedboat, not only due to speed restrictions on the lake, but also because nothing offers the freedom, peacefulness and manoeuvrability of these watercraft.

But Windermere isn’t the only place in Cumbria that’s perfect for kayaking. As the name suggests, there are numerous other lakes within the Lake District which you can explore, as well as the rivers that connect them together and to the sea. And on top of that, other locations in this region are popular destinations for kayaking adventures, including the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Talkin Tarn near the Scottish border. It doesn’t matter if your a first time paddler or an experienced kayak captain, we have the adventure for you.

Where are the best places to go kayaking in Cumbria?

• Lakes in the Lake District: Lakes provide ideal conditions for kayaking. They’re large enough that you can move around as you please, but small enough to be sheltered and calm, and in this beautiful part of the country they give you a unique perspective on the landscape. Windermere is the biggest lake, but it’s not the only one for an adventure. Nearby Coniston Water was another location for high-speed testing, but today is a tranquil location for paddling. Both of these lakes are easily accessible from Kendal. Near Penrith and Keswick you’ll find Ullswater and Derwentwater where there are many kayak hire and tour opportunities, but kayaking on Bassenthwaite Lake is restricted as it is a protected nature reserve. These are some of the largest lakes around and the most popular among water sports enthusiasts, so if you’re looking for a more secluded spot, we recommend heading for Wastwater or Thirlmere, with pristine waters and breathtaking views that you might have all to yourself.

• Rivers in the Lake District: All the water in those lakes has to go somewhere, so the National Park is crisscrossed by a network of rivers. Kayaking on a river is a different experience to on a lake, because you have the added element of the current. This means that you can go a lot faster and a lot further on a river trip, even enjoying some rapids if you’re brave enough, and seeing the changing landscape from a fish’s eye view. Some good rivers for a kayak trip are the River Leven which flows out of Windermere and past Backbarrow to the sea, the River Duddon and River Crake take you though some stunning scenery, while the River Esk widens as it leaves the National Park to become an estuary.

• Other areas: The National Park only covers about one third of the area of Cumbria, so it’s not surprising that some of the best kayaking experiences in the county are found in other places. One popular destination is Talkin Tarn near Carlisle which hosts one of the biggest annual regattas in the country. And of course, there is another National Park within the county - the Yorkshire Dales. Here you’ll find kayaking excursions on a variety of rivers and lakes, such as Killington Lake, the River Rawthey and the River Lune. The town of Sedbergh is a good starting point for a trip in the Dales.

How long does an experience last?

- You can organise a kayaking experience in Cumbria in a number of ways. There are numerous companies that hire out kayaks on the large lakes of the Lake District, usually by the hour. This is perfect if you have been in a kayak before and want to get out onto the water with the minimum of fuss and start exploring.

- If you want to explore some of the more remote waterways, or to have the input of an expert guide, then a guided tour is the best option. They can take you to places that you’d struggle to get to under your own steam and point out interesting natural features, including wildlife. If you take a tour down a river, they’ll also arrange to pick you up at the end of the journey so that you don’t have to paddle all the way back upstream! Tours are often 2 - 3 hours long, but if you want to go further, for example the whole length of Ullswater, they could be 6 hours long or a full day.

- There’s an option for anyone who’s passionate about kayaking as well - courses. Take a couple of days to explore the area from the water while learning more about the techniques of kayaking. You’ll see some wonderful places and face some extreme challenges like river rapids, not for the faint of heart!

Requirements to do this activity

Traditionally, a kayak is a personal boat for one person, but in modern day here you’ll find one and two person kayaks which are perfect for families or groups with young children. To captain their own ship, younger paddlers need to be at least 10, but over 14 years old in certain locations, depending on the equipment available and the conditions of the water. But so long as you meet the minimum age requirements, you don’t need any experience or certification to hire a kayak, or go on some tours. There’ll be instructors on hand to give you some pointers if you need them, as well as buoyancy aids, but you’ll find that the paddling style is quite intuitive and the risk of capsizing is very low.

Longer tours and courses, especially those that include river kayaking are graded by difficulty and you might need some experience if you want to sign up for one of these. The tour providers will be very happy to talk about your needs and preferences, so get in touch to find out more.

We think that the attractions of this activity here speak for themselves, but if not, let us know what you have doubts about and we’ll help you plan your adventure.