Keswick Adventures Blog
News and information about our activities and the local area
Outdoor Adventure FAQs: Your Lake District Questions
The Lake District welcomes millions of visitors every year, and tens of thousands of people live in the national park. Much of the draw of this beautiful area is to do with the outdoor adventures you can enjoy. We've put together a list of popular questions about outdoor activities in the Lake District, along with their answers. Read our FAQ below.
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Kayaking in the Lake District
Can you kayak in the Lake District?
Yes, you can kayak in the Lake District. Pick from many of the lakes or rivers, and even the sea.
Make sure to check any restrictions for the individual lakes, including protected areas, license requirements, and general access.
Where can you kayak in the Lake District?
You can kayak on most of the major Lake District lakes. No permit is required for:
You can kayak on some of the other lakes but will need a permit. You can get permits from:
There are also a number of river locations where you can kayak, though you will need to check for any seasonal or other restrictions before setting off.
- Coniston Water
- Derwentwater
- Ennerdale Water (small groups and private individuals do not require a permit)
- Grasmere
- Thirlmere Reservoir
- Ullswater
- Wastwater
- Windermere
- Bassenthwaite Lake permit
- Buttermere day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Crummock Water day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Ennerdale Water permit (required for large groups or commercial groups only): contact United Utilities on
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Loweswater permit: contact the National Trust on 015394 35599
Kayaking is not permitted on the following major lakes:
- Brotherswater
- Haweswater Reservoir
- Rydal Water
Do you need a permit to kayak in the Lake District?
You will need a permit to kayak in some places in the Lake District. These include:
There are various restrictions for kayaking on certain Lake District rivers, so research locations carefully and, if in doubt, get in touch with the owner of the stretch(es) of river you want to paddle on
- Bassenthwaite Lake permit
- Buttermere day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Crummock Water day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Ennerdale Water permit (required for large groups or commercial groups only): contact United Utilities on
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Loweswater permit: contact the National Trust on 015394 35599
Can I kayak on any river in the Lake District?
There is plenty of river kayaking available in the Lake District, but some stretches of certain rivers do have restrictions in order to protect wildlife, or because they are privately owned. If taking your kayak on a river, make sure you do your research on that particular stretch before you launch.
Where are the best places to kayak in the Lake District?
There are so many wonderful places to kayak in the Lake District that it's difficult to choose just a few! We are forever in love with our local lake, Derwentwater, as well as its surrounding rivers, where we run guided kayaking trips. Other fantastic places include Windermere for its sheer length and possibilities, Ennerdale Water for its serenity, and Buttermere for its pretty surroundings.
Paddle boarding
Where can you paddle board in the Lake District?
You can paddle board on most of the major Lake District lakes. No permit is required for:
You can paddle board on some of the other lakes but will need a permit. You can get permits from:
Paddle boarding is also permitted on certain rivers at certain times of the year. Please do your research and contact the owner or owners of your chosen stretch before heading out.
- Coniston Water
- Derwentwater
- Grasmere
- Ullswater
- Wastwater
- Windermere
- Bassenthwaite Lake permit
- Buttermere day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Crummock Water day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Ennerdale Water permit (required for large groups or commercial groups only): contact United Utilities on
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Loweswater permit: contact the National Trust on 015394 35599
Paddle boarding is not permitted on the following major lakes:
- Brotherswater
- Ennerdale Water
- Haweswater Reservoir
- Rydal Water
- Thirlmere Reservoir
Canoeing
Can I canoe in the Lake District?
Yes, there are lots of opportunities for canoeing in the Lake District, both on the lakes and in the rivers. You can have guided tours, or hire or bring your own canoe.
Which Lake District lakes can you canoe on?
You can canoe on most of the major Lake District lakes. No permit is required for:
You can canoe on some of the other lakes but will need a permit. You can get permits from:
There are also a number of river locations where you can canoe, though please check for any seasonal or restrictions before setting off. You may need to obtain permission from the owners of any particular river stretch(es).
- Coniston Water
- Derwentwater
- Ennerdale Water (small groups and private individuals do not require a permit)
- Grasmere
- Thirlmere Reservoir
- Ullswater
- Wastwater
- Windermere
- Bassenthwaite Lake permit
- Buttermere day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Crummock Water day permits can be collected at Buttermere or Lanthwaite Wood car parks. Or call 017687 74649 for season permits.
- Ennerdale Water permit (required for large groups or commercial groups only): contact United Utilities on
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Loweswater permit: contact the National Trust on 015394 35599
Canoeing is not permitted on the following major lakes:
- Brotherswater
- Haweswater Reservoir
- Rydal Water
Can you canoe on Derwentwater?
Yes, you can canoe on Derwentwater. No permit is required.
Swimming
Can you swim in the Lake District lakes?
Yes, you can swim in most of the major Lake District lakes excluding Ennerdale Water and the reservoirs. Please note that, as of July 2025, the Environment Agency has deemed it unsafe to swim in areas of Derwentwater and Coniston due to high levels of bacteria.
Which Lake District lakes can you swim in?
Swimming is permitted in the following Lake District lakes:
- Bassenthwaite Lake
- Brotherswater
- Coniston Water
- Crummock Water
- Derwentwater
- Grasmere
- Loweswater
- Rydal
- Ullswater
- Wastwater
- Windermere
Please note that, as of July 2025, the Environment Agency has deemed it unsafe to swim in areas of Derwentwater and Coniston due to high levels of bacteria.
Swimming is not permitted at the following major lakes:
- Ennerdale Water
- Haweswater Reservoir
- Thirlmere Reservoir
Can dogs swim in the Lake District?
Dogs can swim in the Lake District, but you should be aware of hazards such as blue-green algae, which is present in some lakes and is toxic to dogs. There are also a number of protected habitats around Lake District waters where you should keep your dog on a lead at all times, so where swimming isn't possible.
You should also take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of your dog as well as other people and animals nearby.
Can you swim in Derwentwater?
Yes, you can swim in Derwentwater. However, please note that, at the time of writing (August 2025), the Environment Agency has deemed it unsafe to swim in areas of Derwentwater due to high levels of bacteria.
Can you swim in Bassenthwaite Lake?
Yes, you can swim in Bassenthwaite Lake.
Can you swim in Haweswater?
No, you cannot swim in Haweswater Reservoir. This is partly to do with the possible additional dangers of swimming in a reservoir including underwater machinery and currents.
Do you have any more questions for us? Feel free to get in touch.
