Water Activities

Waterways | Fishing | Watersports

There’s so much to do around the sea, lakes, rivers and reservoirs of Yorkshire.  Why not jump on a jet-ski, grab a surfboard, set sail for the open sea, or simply spend the day fishing?   Yorkshire has more than 100 miles of coastline, dozens of rivers and reservoirs and an ancient canal network.

Yorkshire’s coast and waterways combine the most modern attractions, like state-of-the-art watersports, with the romance of living history too. The range of activities is as varied as Yorkshire’s beautiful land and seascapes.

 

Waterways
British Waterways Yorkshire looks after around 270 miles of inland waterways, covering an area which stretches from South Yorkshire to the River Tees in the North East.

The canals and rivers provide countless opportunities for walking, cycling, wildlife spotting, angling and boating. They weave through famous attractions such as Clarence Dock in Leeds, a brand new urban destination with bars, shops, restaurants and a casino; watersport activities including canoeing at the Tees Barrage, as well as being home to the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in the country at Standedge Tunnel, near Huddersfield. This assortment offers a unique blend of bustling city centre lifestyle and dramatic countryside landscapes.

Yorkshire's waterways play host to a whole range of events throughout the year - from small, charity walks and Towpath Tidy days, to annual festivals such as the Waterways Festival in the historic market town of Skipton in May and the Rushbearing Festival in Sowerby Bridge near Halifax. There are unlimited possibilities just waiting to be discovered so come on explore Yorkshire’s canals!

Visit http://www.waterscape.com/ for more information on all of Britain’s waterways including:

• Hiring a canal boat or waterside holiday cottage

• Walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water

• Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants

Fishing
For even more of a waterborne adventure, how about joining a North Sea fishing boat for a day’s angling?  You can set off from Bridlington Harbour, spend half a day or a whole day at sea… and try to bring something back to cook for dinner!  With an abundance of rivers, canals, lake and reservoirs, Yorkshire us an ideal destination for all types of fishing.   Take your pick at the locations, including delightfully landscaped former quarries now stocked with carp and pike, eel fishing in the River Hull and spring-fed trout lakes in North Yorkshire. Discover more about Yorkshire’s finest waters in the section below and we’ll be sure you’ll become hooked! 

Selby 3 Lakes
At Selby 3 Lakes lies twelve acres of beautiful tree lined specimen carp and pike water. The carp thrive within this mature clay pit, which was dug well over eighty years ago within a food rich environment which includes islands, bars, bays and lilies. The lakes have a unique and natural beauty with over 200 carp. http://www.selby3lakes.co.uk/

River Hull, Arram, near Beverley
A pleasant, quiet stretch of the tidal River Hull that fishes well in late summer and early autumn. Perch, Roach, Bream and good Pike can all be found in the River Hull. There are also lots of Eels early in the season.

Pebley Reservoir, South Yorkshire
This is a 27-acre reservoir, which is home to lots of easy Pike, Bream and Carp to catch. The Carp is, however, a little more difficult to catch than the Pike!

Wintersett Reservoir, Wakefield
Wintersett is a massive lake used for boating, windsailing and fishing. All species grow big especially the roach, perch, carp and bream also some monster pike.

Stonebridge Trout Lakes
Situated in North Yorkshire, Stonebridge ‘Big Trout’ Lakes have been designed specifically with the fly fisherman’s requirements in mind. Natural spring fed lakes are stocked with hard fighting Rainbow Trout, which are also reared in the Yorkshire Dales.  http://www.stonebridgetroutlakes.co.uk/

North Sea Fishing
Bridlington's historic harbour is still used by working fishermen who bring their catch in every day. If you fancy catching your own dinner, take your rod along and try your hand at North Sea Fishing on a day or half day trip with the experts.

 

Watersports
Watersports in Yorkshire can offer you so much enjoyment and pleasure especially if you like getting wet!  Try your hand at sailing, jet skiing, waterskiing, fishing or even surfing.  Whether you’re a beginner looking to try activities for the first time or an expert, Yorkshire is the ideal watersports destination for you. Be inspired and get out your wet suits, climb aboard your chosen vessel and make a splash today! 

Surfing
Book a surf lesson with the Scarborough Surf School and learn to surf the North and South Bays of Scarborough! For winter and spring time surfing Cayton Bay is ideal but suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers only.  http://www.caytonbaysurfshop.co.uk/

 

Fosse Hill Jet Ski Centre
Take to the waters of Fosse Hill lake in the East Riding of Yorkshire. You can also enjoy lakeside walks, an adventure playground, a quad bike track, a bar and hot tub / sauna at the Fosse Hill Centre.  http://www.fossehill.co.uk/

 

Barton Broads
Former clay pits extending for 8km either side of the Humber Bridge, a paradise for lovers of outdoor pursuits. Each has its own character for bird watching, jet skiing, sailing and more.

 

Pugneys Country Park
Windsurfing, sailing and canoeing can be enjoyed at one of England's best sailing lakes at Pugneys.

 

Rother Valley Country Park
This 750-acre country park offers woods and parkland, a visitor centre, craft centre, cafe and shop. Watersports activities include public hire of sailing dinghies, sailboards, canoes and family rowing boats, cable water-skiing centre, jet-skiing. A full range of watersports courses are available. http://www.rothervalleycountrypark.co.uk/

 

Hornsea Mere
Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake with more than 250 acres of navigable water where you can have a go at the gentler water sports, like sailing, rowing and fishing. Set in surroundings perfect for an ambling ramble and RSPB reserve. 

 

Seven Lakes Leisure Park
Seven Lakes Leisure Park at Crowle is based on a series of disused clay pits offering a wide range of watersports including jet skiing, water-skiing, canoeing and fishing.