Where to go paddle boarding in Hertfordshire

We bought a paddle board last summer so I’ve put together a list of places near me to go paddle boarding in Hertfordshire. I was rather spoilt by the warm seas of France last year so I’m hoping the British summer will be kind to me this year so I can spend plenty of sunny days paddle boarding closer to home. Hertfordshire has plenty of lakes as well as the wonderful River Lee and the Grand Union Canal so there’s lots of choice for paddle boarders.

If you’re looking for stand up paddle boarding near London, many of the destinations I have listed here are perfect for Londoners looking for a water-based day out from the capital. If you don’t want to lug all your gear on the train, Herts Young Mariners Base rents out equipment and is just five minutes from Cheshunt train station. If you’re keen to get out on the river, hop on the train to Hertford where the wonderful River Lee awaits (five minutes walk from Hertford East station). Bishop’s Stortford is another good option, with the scenic River Stort flowing through the centre of town.

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Herts is a great place to learn to paddle board. There is an increasing number of outfits offering paddle boarding lessons in Hertfordshire – on lakes, rivers and the canal.

If you plan to paddle on waterways in England – that’s rivers, canals and reservoirs – you need a British Canoeing Waterways Licence. There are different memberships depending on whether you are an individual or a family. There are also different licences for residents of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Bear in mind that while paddle boarding on lakes just requires you to stay afloat on the water, if you choose to paddle on the rivers and canals you may also need to clamber out and carry your board around the many locks along the waterways. It’s worth chatting to other paddle boarders to find out routes which avoid locks if you’d prefer to minimise exiting the water. I’ve included various paddle boarding Facebook groups in this article to help you find likeminded paddlers. The main Hertfordshire paddle boarding FB group is Herts SUP.

And if you’re after a recommendation for a good value paddle board, we love our Hydro-Force Oceana – it works well for adults and kids.

I’ve put together an article about where to camp and paddle board – we meet friends for a camping weekend each summer. Paddle boarding and kayaking tend to play a large part in the weekend’s activities. I think this compilation of waterfront campsites will keep us going for several years!

Lakes in Hertfordshire for paddle boarding

Herts Young Mariners Base, Cheshunt

This excellent water sports centre in Cheshunt offers a wide range of sessions and courses for both adults and children. If you’re a complete beginner, you can undertake a two hour stand up paddle boarding session, or you can book on to one of their sessions – with or without your own board.

If you’re keen to get out on a river, HYMB also offers a guided trip along the River Lea from Hertford to Ware – this is a great option if you’ve tried a bit of SUP already but you’d like some guidance before heading out on your own.

HYMB also offers kayaking, canoeing, sailing and open water swimming. This is a great destination if you’re looking for paddle boarding near London – HYMB is a five minute walk from Cheshunt train station and there’s a YHA next door so can make a weekend of it.

Find out more about Herts Young Mariners Base

Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross

You might not think that the Olympic white water centre would be the ideal place for a serene paddle boarding session. However, as well as rapids, the centre also has a lake where you can paddle board and swim.

You can undertake a paddle boarding course or paddle independently at Lee Valley – courses start from age eight. Lee Valley White Water Centre is managed by GLL, a charitable social enterprise and worker-owned cooperative operating under the community-brand Better.

As with Herts Young Mariners Base, the Lee Valley White Water Centre is accessible by public transport (you can hire paddle boards and wetsuits there). It’s around 20 minutes walk from Waltham Cross railway station.

There is of course lots more to do at Lee Valley – plenty of family friendly walks and bike rides.

Find out more about Lee Valley White Water Centre

Rickmansworth Aquadrome

There are several lakes at Rickmansworth Aquadrome – some of the waters are designated as a wildlife reserve. Paddle boarding – and other activities – are arranged through Bury Lake Young Mariners.

There are instructor-led taster sessions (for children and adults) as well as independent SUP hire. BLYM also organises SUP tours along the Grand Union Canal – for adults only.

Find out more about paddle boarding at paddle boarding at Rickmansworth Aquadrome

Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre, Welwyn Garden City

There are two lakes at Stanborough Park, the South Lake is for paddle and sail-based pursuits (plus swimming) and the North Lake features rowing boats and pedalos. This a popular destination for families – there’s a fairly new pirate-themed splash park for little children.

For paddle boarders, there’s a choice of bringing your own SUP or hiring one there. Stanborough has lessons for beginners as well as independent sessions if you’re a competent paddle boarder.

Stanborough Park is about 25 minutes walk to the Welwyn Garden City train station and several buses go to the park from the town.

Find out more about paddle boarding at Stanborough Lakes

Rivers for paddle boarding in Hertfordshire

The River Lee – or Lea – paddle boarding in Hertford

The River Lee in Hertford is one of the most popular river spots to paddle board in Hertfordshire. There’s good access in Hartham Common where someone has created some steps into the water at the point where the Lee and Beane rivers meet. From there, it’s a two mile paddle down to Ware lock. If you’re new to paddle boarding, you can practice by paddling the short stretch up to Hertford lock – it’s a good section for beginners. This is also a well known wild swimming location.

Another popular section of the River Lee is the four miles between Ware and Rye House in Hoddesdon. You can park at Burgage Road (near the library) in Ware or by the Rye House go-karting as there’s a slipway into the Lee close by.

If you’re an advanced paddle boarder and you fancy an adventure, it is possible (with lots of portaging at the various locks) to paddle all the way to Limehouse Basin from Hertford. It’s a journey of around 28 miles – so an overnight stop might be a good idea. I’ve cycled most of this route (there’s a towpath all the way to the Olympic Village), parts are quite industrial but it’s an interesting journey!

Hartham Common is a five minute walk from Hertford East train station (or 15 minutes from Hertford North). It’s a journey of around 50 minutes from London Liverpool Street. The river and railway line run quite close to one another so you could take the train to Hertford and paddle back some of the way before getting back on the train at one of the other stations – some are closer to the river than others!

Find out more about paddling boarding in Hertford on the SUP Facebook group.

The River Stort

There are plenty of lovely spots to paddle along the diminutive River Stort. The Stort winds its way through Hertfordshire and Essex, it joins the River Lee at Hoddesdon.

Pig Lane at Twyford Lock on the southern side of Bishop’s Stortford is a good place to hop onto the water – there is free parking and you can paddle into the town, around three miles. Check out Bishop Stortford SUP for more information.

Sawbridgeworth is another popular place to join the Stort. There’s a two mile section between Sheering Mill Lane and Harlow Mill which looks good.

Paddle boarding on the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire

The Grand Union passes through Hertfordshire, connecting London to Birmingham. It travels through the Hertfordshire towns of Watford, Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted before entering Buckinghamshire just after the village of Bulbourne.

Apsley, in Hemel Hempstead, is a popular spot to join the canal. Alternatively, the Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club is based on the canal near Apsley if you’d rather be part of a group.

Another popular location is on the edge of Tring – there’s a stretch of about three miles from Cow Roast (east of Tring) to Bulbourne with no locks to interrupt your journey.

There’s a dedicated Facebook group – Grand Union Paddle Boarders – for SUP on the Grand Union Canal – perfect for meeting other paddle boarders in west Hertfordshire.

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Do you paddle board in Hertfordshire? Let me know in the comments below if you know of any good spots!