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ON OUR DOORSTEP
Only 20 minutes from Tavistock lies a different world full of fun, excitement and water: Roadford Lake. Being part of the South West Lakes Trust group means their ethos of ‘reconnecting children and their families with the outdoors through play’ is personified in every aspect. You are transported to a paradise where adults become children and children…well they get to have a great time! Whether you want to cycle, walk or play on the water, they have everything you need to entertain the whole family. It provides an opportunity to try a new activity that will boost the family’s health; but be warned it may turn into an addiction!
TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT
At Roadford you can take part in many different activities we can not access every day - all of which are guaranteed to get families outdoors.
You can sail, windsurf, paddleboard, climb the high ropes, try archery, Canadian canoe or sit-on-kayaks. Either hire the equipment from the Roadford team and hope for the best, or for those less daring of us, lessons with one of their qualified instructors are available.
If you have your own ‘craft’, you can pay a small launching fee to spend all day on the water. Our favourite activity was to paddle over to the café in our kayaks for a well-deserved coffee and cake and one of their home-cooked lunches. The children particularly enjoyed playing in the café park and learning about the reservoir in the newly-refurbished Visitor’s Centre where wetsuits are welcome!
At the café site there are a number of walks and cycles, varying in distance and ease, to occupy those who are not keen to get aboard the water. You can enjoy their easier ‘Rollercoster’ cycle or challenge yourself on one of their longer cycles through the woods.
EASY PEASEY WATER ACTIVITIES
For first-time water lovers the easiest activities to start with are paddleboarding, sit on kayaks and the Canadian canoes. These can be mastered very quickly with minimal skill. Children and adults of all ages can take part with some simple adjustments of paddle size needed for little ones. Children can sit and be paddled by adults looking at the nature on the reservoir or you can work together to race spouses and siblings.
AYE-AYE CAPTAIN: SOMETHING A LITTLE HARDER
If you have always dreamed of joining the nautical elite, or fell in love with the idea of having a boat after reading Swallows and Amazons, Roadford has the perfect solution. You can join them at their weekly sailing lessons which are offered to both adults and children (from the age of 6) on weekends throughout the year. Even more useful, is the fact that you do not have to attend every week which is perfect for busy families who are put off learning new hobbies that require them to attend weekly sessions.
CAMPING
For those who want more than a day of adventure, you can camp at the picturesque and reasonably priced campsite which is only a stone’s throw from the water. The site is perfect for families: with woods to make dens, comfortable facilities and plenty of well-needed sleep after your physical day; by 10pm all you hear is the gentle lapping of the lake and occasional ‘honk’ of the amazing Canadian geese.
HOLIDAY CAMPS
Children over the age of 8 can take part in the Easter and Summer Holiday camps. Either join the team for individual activities they would like to try or book for half-days, full-days or even the whole week. What a great opportunity for the parents to get onto the water themselves to learn a new skill while they wait!
Sarah Hallett, one of the qualified instructors from the lake, sums up the uniqueness of the activities offered so close to us: ‘from multi activity weeks in the summer, to family "have a go" sessions - there is something to suit every family at this beautiful place. Age and ability is no barrier - we really do cater for everyone, whatever the weather!’
- more information about the fantastic activities you could access, go to www.southwestlakes.co.uk. Alternatively, phone the Roadford team on 01409 211507.