This is a simple guide to which activites you can do on each of the main lakes in the Lake District National Park.
Please make sure you're aware of the relevant speed limits and byelaws. And remember 'check - clean - dry' your equipment to help stop dangerous invasive species spreading between different areas.
This A4 print version just shows which activities are allowed in each lake.
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes
⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes, boats must be registered
🛥 Powered craft: Yes, boats must be registered and there is a 10 mph speed limit
Lake District National Park
hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk
01539 724555
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes
⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes
🛥 Powered craft: Yes, and there is a 10 mph speed limit
Lake District National Park
hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk
01539 724555
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes
⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes
🛥 Powered craft: Yes, and there is a 10 mph speed limit
Lake District National Park
hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk
01539 724555
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes
⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes
🛥 Powered craft: Yes, and there is a 10 mph speed limit
There is no access to any of the islands in Derwent Water.
National Trust, North West
015394 35599
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, Bassenthwaite boating permit needed
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, Bassenthwaite boating permit needed
⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes, Bassenthwaite boating permit needed
🛥 Powered craft: Yes for electric boats with a Bassenthwaite permit
🎣 Fishing: Yes, Bassenthwaite fishing permit needed
Lake District National Park
hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk
01539 724555
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, with a permit
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, with a permit
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
Season Permits ring
Day permits are available from the car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT.
National Trust, North West
015394 35599
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, with a permit
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, with a permit
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
Season Permits ring
Day permits are available from the car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT.
National Trust, North West
015394 35599
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: No
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes. Commercial groups, activity providers and large groups need a permit.
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes. Commercial groups, activity providers and large groups need a permit.
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
Permits are available from United Utilities
United Utilities
01768 772334
Esthwaite Water is run as a private fishery, offering bank, row and motor boat fishing.
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
Lowther Estates
01931 712577
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: No
🚣🏻♀️ Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: No
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
United Utilities
01768 772334
accessnorthcatchment@uuplc.co.uk
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, under 4 m with a permit
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, under 4 m
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
Day permits are available from the car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 ORT.
National Trust, North West
015394 35599
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: No public access
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: No public access
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
Rydal Estates, c/o Carter Jonas land agents
01539 722592
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: No
🛶 Canoes, kayaks: Yes
Paddleboards: No
⛵️ Sailing boats: Yes
🛥 Powered craft: No
United Utilities
01768 772334
accessnorthcatchment@uuplc.co.uk
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes
⛵️Sailing boats: No
🛥 Powered craft: No
National Trust, North West
015394 35599
