DAYSOUT
On the Water cont...
ACTION WATERSPORTS
For those seeking a little escapism over the summer, you can make your way to Bewl Water( bewlwater. co. uk), a spot nestled in the High Weald. The reservoir is situated in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a unique waterside setting. It has also been recognised as the largest stretch of open water in the South East and supplies water to the surrounding region while also serving as an important natural habitat. This vast expanse of 800 acres of water and ancient woodland makes Bewl Water an ideal location for both nature-lovers and watersports enthusiasts.
Start your visit with a trip to the Waterfront Café, set on the water’ s edge of the reservoir, where you can relax on the terrace and enjoy a seasonal menu of light bites and hearty favourites from fresh smoked salmon sandwiches to buttermilk chicken burgers served with sriracha coleslaw and fries.
From there, head down to the water, where sailing, windsurfing and wingfoiling make the most of Bewl’ s wide-open reservoir setting. Recognised as one of the South East’ s premier inland sailing venues, it offers more than 770 acres of water to explore. Visitors can try their hand at fishing, with the choice to sit on the bank or also try a fishing kayak, and the reservoir is home to a variety of species including rainbow trout, perch and pike, which makes it a popular destination for anglers of all abilities.
Alongside fishing, Bewl Water hosts open-water swimming sessions on Saturday mornings. After a refreshing dip, you can enjoy exploring more than 13 miles of scenic walking trails, which are rich in wildlife with some dog-friendly options. The routes offer the chance to spot a variety of wildlife including great crested grebes and cormorants.
After your swim, why not venture into Margate town and stop off at Little Swift( littleswift. co. uk), a natural wine and cocktail bar set on Margate’ s seafront? The bar showcases the best of seasonal ingredients, where you can enjoy cocktails on ice including the Coastal Negroni, made with East London Gin and burnt rosemary, and the Walnut Rye Old Fashioned, infused with black walnut and Amarena cherry.
Finish off your day with a stroll along Margate beach; with golden sands and pristine water, you can treat yourself to a scoop of Lulu’ s Gelato( lulusgelato. co. uk). Crafted in traditional small batches, the Italian gelato is made using local Kentish ingredients- the perfect way to end a summer’ s day out on the water.
For an alternative unique day out on the water, you can make your way to Action Watersports( actionwatersports. co. uk), based in the historic region of Romney Marsh. This family-owned watersports venue is set on a private freshwater lake, where a tranquil natural environment is complemented by a range of on-the-water activities.
Home to the most diverse range of watersport activities in the UK, Action Watersports offers everything from water skiing, wakeboarding and paddleboarding to flyboarding if you are eager to try a new sport. This is all alongside the iconic Aqua Park, where visitors of all ages can challenge themselves to climb slippery obstacles and test their balance on the floating beams before launching themselves into the lake from a series of jump stations.
After an exhilarating day of watersports, head to the Lake View Cafe, found only a few steps away from the lake. Here, visitors can enjoy local Rye Bay Coffee, refreshing iced drinks and creamy milkshakes, which can be paired with homemade smashburgers and loaded wraps, all while soaking up the picturesque lakeside views.
BEWL WATER
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