Making Memories by the Water: Your Guide to Family Fun At St Andrews Lake

St Andrews Lakes is a naturally flooded disused chalk quarry pit and probably the deepest inland lake in the Southeast of England with depths down to 34m.

The beautiful freshwater lake offers an abundance of fun activities perfect for hot summers when all you want to do is cool off! From boating to diving, cold water swimming, mega stand-up paddleboarding and more, you’ll be spoilt for things to do. And if it’s the relaxation you’re after you can always chill out on the sandy beach under a parasol while you tuck into a picnic with treats from the cafe. It’s the perfect spot to soak up lovely views of the natural landscape around you.

Whatever you decide there is a wide range of activities on offer that all the ages of the family will love. And if it’s a bit of ‘you time’ that you need, don’t worry there’s a hot stone massage with your name on it waiting in the spa…

If you are planning multiple activities at St Andrews Lake then family kayaking must make it to the top of your list. You’ll feel as if you are kayaking through clear Canadian waters as the lake is bright blue and surrounded by tall trees and white sand. And despite the water being a man-made flooded quarry you can expect to see a few fish along your voyage too.

You can rent kayaking boats with single seats to up to four. All under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult when kayaking.

Looking to get fit and have fun in the water? You may not know this (if you do already then, sorry you’re just going to have to hear it again!), but paddleboarding is a full-body workout and it’s super easy to learn! Paddleboarding requires balance and core strength more than anything, and of course, you’ll want to be a confident swimmer in case you fall into the water.

At St Andrews Lake, you can rent from a fleet of Red paddle boards – they are the best you can get! Rental starts from the age of 14yrs and above. Anyone under the age of 18yrs MUST be accompanied by an adult whilst on the water. Buoyancy aids including wetsuits are provided as part of your low season rental package.

Pedalo rides will be a colourful addition to your family day on the water. All ages LOVE pedalos and they are so easy to control. You can race each other across the lake or take a slow meander over the calm ripples of water.

Kids over the age of 3 can hop on a pedalo and join in with all the fun. And hey, some of the pedalos even have slides attached to them so you can pencil in plenty of splash time as the kids zoom down the slides into the beautiful lake water.

Anyone under the age of 18yrs MUST be accompanied by an adult whilst on the water. Buoyancy aids are provided as part of your rental package

If you’re in a big group friends or family then bell boating is a great activity where everyone can get involved at the same time. Bell boats are twin-hulled open canoes which seat about 8-14 people plus a helm. They are propelled through the use of single-bladed paddles and helmed via a single, stern-mounted, steering oar.

The bell boats at this attraction are 9 metres long and 1.4 metres wide, the Bell Boat leads the way in paddlesport safety and stability even for the most nervous person! These boats seat up to six adults and there are two boats in total so it’s perfect for a group activity.

The keyword for a MEGA SUP ride is definitely teamwork. Up to six people can go on one board together – that’s a lot of balancing!

You can have one of two experiences on a mega stand-up paddleboard depending on the family you have… If you have a family of beginners who are prone to giggle-fits then you’ll be laughing your wet suit slippers off all the way around the fresh water lake. You’ll probably fall in a few times but hey, that’s part of the fun, right?

But if you’re in a family of watersport pros with excellent balance you’ll have a truly tranquil trip around the lake, gliding through the calming waters as you go. The Mega SUP is great fun for a group activity and there are two mega SUPs at this activity centre. 

Plunge into big seasonal swims like the Boxing Day Dip or the Halloween swim (where you swim in your favourite character’s costume). Develop your skills in open water swimming or bathe in the moonlight during the Moon Swin sessions. There are so many different types of swimming sessions so make sure you head to their website to check them out!

St Andrews Lake is the deepest inland lake in the Southeast of England with depths down to 34m and has an abundance of fish zipping around beneath the water’s edge. Explore the majestic marine life in scuba diving sessions! There are 16 features to uncover at various depths as well as training platforms.

Plunge into big seasonal swims like the Boxing Day Dip or the Halloween swim (where you swim in your favourite character’s costume). Develop your skills in open water swimming or bathe in the moonlight during the Moon Swin sessions. There are so many different types of swimming sessions so make sure you head to their website to check them out!

There are heaps of exciting activities on offer – some of which we haven’t even mentioned yet! Make sure to check out the Electric Jet Boarding activity it’s the perfect way to surf without waves. This activity costs £55. 

Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings are the ideal time for Dinghy Sailing! Hitch up your boats and learn how to sail under the eyes of your lighthearted teachers. all equipment like helmets, life jackets etc will be available to you during the sessions. These sessions cost £25. 

Had your fill of water-based activities? While there is a wide range of water sports there are also land activities like the Climbing Wall! Clip and Climb sessions cost £8 for 30 minutes. You’ll have a day packed full of adrenaline buzz, fun & fitness.