100 places to paddleboard in the UK, organised by region

Paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing water sports in the UK with many taking to the water for the first time to have a go. But where can you go paddleboarding in the UK? We've done some research and put together a list of 100 places - rivers, beaches and lakes - which are great for paddleboarding.

Whilst we think our research is solid, please do always check with a local area website before setting off to one of these destinations to ensure paddleboarding is safe in that location. Where relevant, also make sure to check tide times.

South West England

1. Weymouth Beach, Dorset: This is a flat sandy beach that's perfect for beginners. The clear waters also make it a favourite among intermediate and advanced paddle boarders.

2. Poole Harbour, Dorset: It's the second largest natural harbour in the world and offers calm and sheltered waters. It's located in the southern coast of England.

3. Studland Bay, Dorset: With its clear waters and beautiful scenery, it's a popular location for paddle boarders. You can find it in the Isle of Purbeck.

4. Bournemouth Beach, Dorset: A tourist hotspot with a seven-mile stretch of sandy beaches, perfect for paddleboarding on a calm day.

5. Swanage Bay, Dorset: Located in the south-east of Dorset, Swanage Bay offers stunning coastal views and a peaceful environment for paddle boarding.

6. Salcombe, Devon: Located in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it offers clear, calm waters, and beautiful views.

7. Exmouth, Devon: Known as the gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, it's a great place for paddleboarding.

8. Bantham Beach, Devon: Located in the South Hams of Devon, it's popular among surfers and paddleboarders due to its consistent swells.

9. Croyde Bay, Devon: Popular among surfers, it also provides a great experience for paddle boarders with its crystal-clear waters.

10. Perranporth Beach, Cornwall: A surfers' paradise in the north coast of Cornwall, its large sandy beach is also ideal for paddle boarding.

11. Sennen Cove, Cornwall: It's on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and offers clean blue waters that are perfect for paddle boarding.

12. Watergate Bay, Cornwall: Located north of Newquay, it's popular among surfers and paddle boarders due to its large waves.

13. Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall: A beautiful, south-facing, sandy beach in Falmouth that's perfect for paddleboarding.

14. Fowey Estuary, Cornwall: This beautiful estuary offers calm and sheltered waters, making it perfect for beginners.

15. River Avon, Bristol: The river runs through the heart of the city, offering an urban paddle boarding experience.

16. Bristol Floating Harbour: An artificially created harbour in Bristol that offers calm waters, suitable for paddle boarders of all levels.

17. Cheddar Reservoir, Somerset: Located near the town of Cheddar, it's a man-made reservoir perfect for paddleboarding due to its calm waters.

18. Wimbleball Lake, Somerset: It's a large lake located in Exmoor National Park, providing an idyllic setting for paddleboarding.

19. Chesil Beach, Dorset: This 18-mile long beach is perfect for experienced paddle boarders due to its challenging conditions.

20. Torquay, Devon: Known as the heart of the English Riviera, it offers beautiful beaches and calm waters for paddle boarding.

South East England

21. Brighton Beach, East Sussex: Known for its pebble beach, Brighton offers a lively atmosphere and an iconic pier.

22. Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex: Located in the South Downs National Park, it offers stunning cliffs and tranquil waters.

23. Camber Sands, East Sussex: This sandy beach is popular among kitesurfers and paddle boarders.

24. Whitstable, Kent: Famous for its oysters, Whitstable also offers calm waters perfect for paddleboarding.

25. Margate, Kent: Located on the north-east coast of Kent, Margate offers a sandy beach and calm waters, perfect for paddleboarding.

26. Dungeness, Kent: Dungeness has a unique shingle beach landscape and calm waters, suitable for paddleboarding.

27. Bournemouth, Hampshire: This popular coastal town offers a great beach and calm sea conditions, making it suitable for paddleboarding.

28. Hayling Island, Hampshire: Known for windsurfing, it also offers good conditions for paddleboarding.

29. Isle of Wight: The island is surrounded by beautiful beaches and bays which are perfect for paddle boarding.

30. Southsea, Portsmouth: Located on the southern tip of Portsea Island, it offers great views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight.

31. Chichester Harbour, West Sussex: This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers calm, sheltered waters that are perfect for paddle boarding.

32. Littlehampton, West Sussex: Located on the Sussex Coast, it has a long sandy beach perfect for paddleboarding.

33. Bognor Regis, West Sussex: Known for its sunshine records, it also offers calm waters for paddleboarding.

34. Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: The city is known for its artificial lakes and canals, perfect for urban paddle boarding.

35. River Thames, Oxford: Experience paddle boarding on one of the most famous rivers in the world.

36. River Medway, Kent: This river offers a number of calm stretches, perfect for a relaxed paddleboarding session.

37. River Arun, West Sussex: The Arun flows through the South Downs National Park, offering beautiful views.

38. Rutland Water, East Midlands: One of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, offering calm waters and beautiful views.

West Midlands

39. River Severn, Shropshire: The longest river in the UK, providing a unique paddle boarding experience with its picturesque countryside views.

40. Cannock Chase, Staffordshire: An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it's known for its man-made reservoirs that are perfect for paddleboarding.

41. River Avon, Warwickshire: Flowing through the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, it offers a serene paddleboarding experience.

42. Tittesworth Water, Staffordshire: This large reservoir offers calm waters, ideal for paddleboarding.

43. Carsington Water, Derbyshire: Another large reservoir with calm waters that are ideal for paddleboarding.

44. River Wye, Herefordshire: This river offers tranquil waters and stunning scenery, making it a popular paddleboarding spot.

East Midlands

45. River Trent, Nottinghamshire: One of the major rivers of England, its calm stretches are perfect for paddleboarding.

46. River Nene, Northamptonshire: Flowing through beautiful countryside, the Nene offers a serene paddleboarding experience.

47. Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire: This nature reserve offers calm waters and a chance to paddleboard amidst wildlife.

48. Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Nottinghamshire: Home to a watersports centre, it offers various paddleboarding experiences.

Yorkshire and the Humber

49. River Ouse, York: Flowing through the historic city of York, it offers an urban paddleboarding experience.

50. Scarborough, North Yorkshire: Known for its sandy beaches and bustling town centre, it's a popular spot for paddleboarding.

51. Whitby, North Yorkshire: Famous for its Gothic Whitby Abbey, it offers a fantastic coastal paddleboarding experience.

52. Bridlington, East Yorkshire: Its wide sandy beaches and calm waters make it a perfect location for paddleboarding.

53. Hornsea, East Yorkshire: Known for its freshwater lake, Hornsea Mere, it offers a unique paddleboarding experience.

54. River Aire, West Yorkshire: The river offers calm stretches that are ideal for paddleboarding.

55. River Wharfe, North Yorkshire: Flowing through the Yorkshire Dales, it offers stunning scenery.

North East England

56. River Tyne, Tyne and Wear: Flowing through Newcastle, it offers a unique urban paddleboarding experience.

57. Kielder Water, Northumberland: The largest man-made reservoir in the UK, offering calm waters and beautiful views.

58. River Wear, County Durham: Flowing through the historic city of Durham, it's a popular spot for paddleboarding.

59. Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear: Known for its sandy beaches, it offers great conditions for paddleboarding.

60. Blyth, Northumberland: With its sandy beach and harbour, Blyth offers a great paddleboarding experience.

North West England

61. River Mersey, Merseyside: Flowing through Liverpool, it offers an urban paddleboarding experience.

62. Lake Windermere, Cumbria: The largest natural lake in England, located in Lake District National Park, it's a top spot for paddleboarding.

63. Coniston Water, Cumbria: Also located in the Lake District, it offers calm waters and stunning views.

64. Ullswater, Cumbria: Another gem of the Lake District, known for its beauty.

65. Derwentwater, Cumbria: Located near Keswick, it's a popular location for paddleboarding.

66. Ribble Estuary, Lancashire: An estuary of the River Ribble, it offers calm waters and a chance to see diverse wildlife.

67. Formby, Merseyside: Known for its sandy beach and squirrel reserve, it's a popular paddleboarding spot.

Scotland

68. Loch Lomond, Argyll & Bute: The largest lake by surface area in the UK, it's a favourite among paddleboarders due to its stunning scenery.

69. River Tay, Perth and Kinross: Flowing through central Scotland, it offers beautiful views and calm stretches for paddleboarding.

70. Loch Ness, Highlands: Famous for its legendary monster, Loch Ness offers a unique paddleboarding experience.

71. Isle of Skye: Known for its rugged landscapes, it offers numerous paddleboarding spots along its coastline.

72. Loch Morlich, Highlands: Located in the Cairngorms National Park, it offers a sandy beach and calm waters.

73. River Spey, Moray: Known for salmon fishing, it also offers good conditions for paddleboarding.

74. Isle of Arran: Known as 'Scotland in Miniature', it offers various spots for paddleboarding along its coastline.

75. St Andrews, Fife: Known for its golf, St Andrews also offers a long sandy beach perfect for paddleboarding.

76. River Clyde, Glasgow: Flowing through Scotland's largest city, it offers an urban paddleboarding experience.

77. River Dee, Aberdeenshire: Known for its scenic beauty, it's a popular spot for paddleboarding.

Wales

78. Snowdonia National Park: Known for its lakes and stunning mountain scenery, it offers various spots for paddleboarding.

79. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: With its stunning coastline and clear waters, it's a haven for paddleboarders.

80. Swansea Bay: Known for its long sandy beach, it's a popular spot for paddleboarding.

81. Cardiff Bay: The urban setting and calm waters make it an ideal spot for paddleboarding.

82. Anglesey: An island off the northwest coast of Wales, known for its beautiful beaches.

83. Llandudno, Conwy: Known for its Victorian pier and long sandy beach, it's perfect for paddleboarding.

84. Bala Lake, Gwynedd: The largest natural lake in Wales, known for its calm waters and stunning views.

85. River Wye, Monmouthshire: Flowing along the border of England and Wales, it offers scenic paddleboarding experiences.

86. Rhossili Bay, Swansea: Voted one of the best beaches in the UK, it offers great conditions for paddleboarding.

87. New Quay, Ceredigion: Known for its sheltered harbour and dolphin sightings, it's a great spot for paddleboarding.

88. River Usk, Newport: Flowing through southeast Wales, it offers calm stretches that are perfect for paddleboarding.

Northern Ireland

89. Lough Neagh: The largest lake by area in the British Isles, it offers calm waters and beautiful views.

90. River Lagan, Belfast: Flowing through the capital city, it offers an urban paddleboarding experience.

91. Strangford Lough, County Down: The largest inlet in the UK, it offers calm waters and beautiful surroundings.

92. Portrush, County Antrim: Known for its sandy beaches and surfing, it's also a great spot for paddleboarding.

93. Portstewart, County Londonderry: With its long sandy beach and calm waters, it's a perfect location for paddleboarding.

94. Newcastle, County Down: Located at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, it offers a sandy beach and clear waters.

95. Ballycastle, County Antrim: Known for its beautiful beach and views of Rathlin Island.

96. Crawfordsburn, County Down: It offers a sandy beach and calm waters, ideal for paddleboarding.

97. River Foyle, Londonderry: Flowing through Derry, it offers an urban paddleboarding experience.

98. Lough Erne, County Fermanagh: Known for its islands and stunning scenery, it offers a unique paddleboarding experience.

99. Bangor Marina, County Down: This is an urban setting offering calm waters in the marina, ideal for beginners.

100. Whitehead, County Antrim: Known for its colourful houses and lighthouse, it offers a unique coastal paddleboarding experience.