Tamar Lakes Activity Centre

Upper Tamar Lake sits just inland from Bude, and the activity centre here is essentially your port of call for anything water-based if you're camping or glamping in the area. You can hire kayaks, paddleboards, and rowing boats - which means if you've got restless kids or you fancy a bit of messing about on the water without the faff of owning a boat, this is where it happens. The setting itself is pleasant enough: a proper freshwater lake surrounded by woodland, the kind of spot where you can actually hear yourself think after a week of holiday chaos.

It works best if you're already staying at Atlantic Horizons or Wooda Farm - both within spitting distance - because the activity centre isn't a day trip destination in itself. Spend two hours paddling about, grab a coffee if they've got one, then head back to your pod or tent. The lake is calm, manageable for beginners, and kids as young as five or six can usually manage a kayak with supervision.

Water activities here are paid, though exact prices weren't confirmed at the time of writing, so ring ahead. Summer weekends get busy, so mid-week visits are your best bet if you want a peaceful morning on the water. It's the sort of thing that fills a rainy-day gap or a lazy afternoon brilliantly - not something to plan your whole holiday around, but genuinely useful if you're based nearby.