Discover beautiful landscapes, native wildlife, and woodland adventures at the largest reservoir in Southeast England. Bewl Water is open all year round and is the perfect place to watch the seasons change. Spanning 800 acres across Kent and Sussex, the reservoir offers a range of healthy, outdoor activities sure to entertain children, grownups, and furry friends alike.
Top Things to Do at Bewl Water
Immerse yourself in the natural splendor of Bewl Water! Explore scenic trails by bike or foot, unwind by the water, or cast your line for fish. The little ones will love the soft play area and outdoor playgrounds, while families and friends can challenge themselves with laser tag or conquer the Aqua Park. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy sailing, canoeing, and more, while nature lovers can spot diverse wildlife. Refuel at the Waterfront Café after a day of adventure.
Outdoor Activities
Surrounding the reservoir are 12.5 miles of self-guided walking and cycling trails that follow a collection of scenic forest paths and winding country lanes. Designed to help visitors navigate their way through the extensive landscape, the guided routes range from short to long distances, allowing walkers and cyclists of all ages to see the reservoir at their own pace.
Maps can be collected from the Waterfront Café.
Cycling
What with being a great form of exercise and an easy way to soak up the sights of Bewl Water, cycling is the perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy some two-wheeled fitness fun with the whole family. There are 12 ½ miles of surfaced trails, country lanes and scenic meadows for cyclists to explore, most of it off-road and traffic-free, making the route great for children.
You can bring your own bike or hire one from the cycle shop which can be found in front of The Waterfront Café. Here you can also collect a map which is recommended.
Water Sports
From soaking up the sunshine on a paddleboard to cruising along the reservoir in a canoe, taking to the water at Bewl allows you to experience the site’s beautiful scenery up close, engage in some healthy, outdoor fun and learn something new.
As South East England’s largest stretch of open water, there’s plenty of space to enjoy a range of water sports including sailing, windsurfing, rowing, open-water swimming, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding (available to hire).
Family Friendly Activities
Home to hundreds of protected species and native wildlife, Bewl Water is a haven for birds, insects, and animals which can be enjoyed from a distance in the bird hide and nature reserve.
Just a short walk from Wards Lane, wildlife watching at Bewl Water offers fantastic opportunities to enrich young children’s knowledge of the natural world around them and offers a golden opportunity for family bonding.
Bewl Water has long been a premier destination for trout, pike and perch making it a popular spot for fishing amongst experienced anglers and beginners alike. Any method and fly fishing can be done from their fleet of 54 fishing boats allowing visitors to explore the freshwater and soak up the glorious views throughout all seasons. You must be over 18 years old to hire a boat, which must be pre-booked in advance.
