Three cool campsites for family friendly water adventures
Getting wet on a family camping or caravanning holiday is no longer something to dread, thanks to the fantastic range of exciting water-based activities available these days. From sailing and kayaking to the latest craze of flyboarding, we’ve found campsites that offer something for everyone.
Tattershall Lakes Country Park
Sleaford Road, Tattershall, Lincolnshire LN4 4LR
01526 348800
tattershall-lakes.com
You don’t have to go the seaside to enjoy a beach, and you don’t have to have a pilot’s licence to fly at Tattershall Lakes Country Park in Lincolnshire. As its name suggests, this place is all about things to do on and near the water, and this year it has the added attractions of a new beach and the exhilarating new activity of flyboarding.
Also known as a water jet pack, flyboarding is the latest, coolest, most spectacular way of getting very wet very quickly. Powerful water jets hoist the pilot up to 12m above the lake, and once the basic technique is mastered it is possible to perform tricks and stunts. Flyboarders must be over 16, under 165kg, with size 6-12 feet, and be prepared to pay £95 for a 30-minute session at Tattershall Lakes.
The park has a great range of other family-friendly water-based activities on offer, including cable wakeboarding, jet skis, and ringo rides. Kayaking, pedalos, fishing and golf mean there is something here for all members of the family. The new 20x16m beach provides a perfect place to enjoy live music on the floating stage, also new for this year.
Two touring fields are available and a number of special offers are currently listed, including three nights on a serviced pitch with electric hook-up from 2 May 2014 at £75.
New Forest Water Park
Hucklesbrook Lakes, Ringwood Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2EY
01425 656868
newforestwaterpark.co.uk
Boasting the largest wake cable waterskiing course in the south of England, the New Forest Water Park has become a favourite venue for all kinds of watersports. Up to six wakeboarders can ski at a steady 30kph over the five-corner towed cable system at the sane time, while beginners can learn the basics on a separate linear cable.
If this activity doesn’t float your boat, there’s no shortage of others here. The site offers aquarides on inflatable tubes, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding which, we’re told, is a great way to exercise the body’s core muscles.
Camping here is either on the lakeside or in the surrounding woodland, and the on-site bar has and regular live music. Cable and Camping packages are available, from £90 per person including two nights pitch fees and two days access to the cable.
Hill of Oaks
Tower Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA12 8NR
01539 531578
hillofoaks.co.uk
The proximity of Windermere, England’s largest lake, makes Hill of Oaks an excellent location for family-friendly boat-based fun. The site has its own slipways and jetties, as well as about a mile of exclusive lake frontage, and welcomes tourers bringing their own watercraft. There’s no boat hire on site, but they might sell you one.
There is plenty of potential for land-based activities as well, with excellent cycle routes and walks direct from the site, and even a couple of charming wildlife walks through ancient woodland within the site boundaries.
Reception houses a fully-licensed shop with provisions, watersports equipment and gas, as well as a WiFi hotspot, and outside is a landscaped lawn with picnic tables. A secure play area has a range of equipment for children, and a separate area is set aside for ball games.
There’s a great range of touring facilities, with pitches being large enough for an allocated boat parking space and with room to sit around your barbeque and enjoy the ambience.
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