Tilgate Park Watersports

The lake at Tilgate Park sits just outside Haywards Heath and does what a proper country watersports venue should do: it keeps things straightforward and lets the water do the talking. You've got kayaking, paddleboarding, and rowing on offer here - nothing fancy, just solid instruction and decent equipment if you haven't brought your own.

It's the kind of place that works brilliantly for families who want their kids to actually do something rather than just look at scenery. A morning on the water keeps them occupied, and the surrounding parkland means you can stretch into a full day without anyone getting fractious. Confident swimmers will get more from it than nervous ones, but the instructors seem patient enough.

If you're camped at Worth Forest Glamping or Sunset Tree Camping - both top-rated sites within a few miles - Tilgate makes an excellent half-day break from the usual park routine. It's low-key enough that you won't feel herded about, and the whole operation has that understated Sussex feel rather than the theme-park energy of some watersports centres.

Prices and exact opening times aren't listed online, so ring ahead before you go. Allow two to three hours if you're taking a lesson or doing the water sports properly. Go midweek if possible - weekends can get a bit busy with school groups. The setting's pleasant rather than dramatic, but that's rather the point.