Cornwall boasts a wonderful range of coastal and inland lakes for walkers, runners, cyclists and those who enjoy watersports to explore. Beautiful and peaceful places to spend a relaxing day, Cornwall’s lakes are also important ecological habitats and havens for wildlife, particularly migratory birds.
Each lake has its own personality, individual charm, and exciting attractions. So, which one to choose?
Whether you are looking for a peaceful waterside walk, somewhere to go birdwatching or to take part in some activities on the water, or maybe just enjoy a spot of fishing, we have you covered!
Colliford Lake, Bodmin Moor
Best for: Wildlife watching
Facilities: Picnic benches and parking
Colliford is Cornwall’s largest inland lake, covering a vast surface area of around 900 acres – that’s about 682 football pitches! Located in the very heart of Bodmin Moor but with easy access to the A30, the lake makes a wonderful focal point for exploring the wild uplands of Cornwall.
Colliford Lake is cared for by the local charity South West Lakes Trust, who are dedicated to looking after the reservoirs and lakes of Cornwall and the South West. The lake is also situated within one of Cornwall’s National Landscapes (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), indicating its rich and diverse wildlife. Fishing from the banks is allowed with a permit and Colliford makes a great choice for those keen on this sport.
Numerous bird species use the lake throughout the year. In winter, you might spot goldeneye, golden plover, lapwing, or snipe, while Great Crested Grebes are also frequent visitors. In summer, you can expect to see large numbers of swifts, swallows, house martins and sand martins skimming over the water, feeding on the numerous insects.
There are three signposted walks of various lengths around the edges of the lake, ranging from 1 to 2 miles. The routes can also be joined together for those who fancy a longer stroll. The Menridden Walk (1.75 miles) circumnavigates a little peninsula jutting out into the water, the Redhill Walk (2 miles) skirts along the water’s edge, while the Dam Walk (0.9 miles) is a lovely circular route that, as the name indicates, crosses over the top of the lake’s dam.
As well as being surrounded by miles of open moorland, the lake is also just a couple of miles south of Jamaica Inn, the famous smugglers’ haunt immortalised by Daphne du Maurier. The historic inn has a small but fascinating museum and also provides hearty meals.
Porth Reservoir, Newquay
Best for: Lakeside and woodland wanders
Facilities: Wheelchair accessible fishing platforms, parking
Porth Reservoir is set in a steep-sided valley surrounded by well-established woodlands just outside Newquay, and makes a beautiful destination for your next woodland walk.
Once part of the Fir Hill Manor estate, the dam was built here in the 1960s and the lake now covers some 40 acres. The walk around the edge of the lake is well maintained and covers roughly 3 miles, with the chance of spotting some of the native and migratory birds that enjoy this peaceful body of water.
The lake is a designated bird sanctuary making it a paradise for birdwatchers. There are two wooden bird hides on the water’s edge from where you might spot owls, woodpeckers and even kingfishers.
The lake is also a mature Cornish coarse fishery with overhanging treelines and large beds of lily pads and weed. The waters are home to carp that can reach a whopping 34lbs, making this a great playground for anglers.
Stithians Reservoir
Best for: Watersports
Facilities: Parking, café, and toilets
Stithians Lake is another of Cornwall’s largest reservoirs with an impressive dam that stands around 42 metres high. There is a wonderful 5-mile walk taking in the circumference of the lake with the opportunity to enjoy the wildflowers and birdlife, but most people come to Stithians for the watersports – of which there are many to choose from!
The Stithians Lake Watersports Centre is there to help you and your family get out on the water through activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, and eFoiling. There is also trout fishing here, with a permit, and instructor-led watersport sessions are available when booked in advance.
You can hire all the equipment you need from the activities centre or self-launch your own from the jetty.
After a fun-filled day bobbing about on the lake, you can refuel at the Wild Vibes Café, which provides fresh traditional Italian dishes, hot and cold drinks and treats for four legged friends too.
Copperhouse Pool, Hayle
Best for: Accessible walking paths
Facilities: Outdoor lido, picnic benches, toilets
This man-made pool was made in 1788 by the Cornish Copper Company in Hayle when they dammed a natural tidal creek. The pool was intended to be used as a storage reservoir, holding back water at high tide so that it could then be used to power a tidal mill, which was part of the foundry works.
These days, the pool makes a lovely circular amble, with flat, accessible paths that skirt the edges of the water, including the King George V Memorial Walk with its attractive gardens. The upper reaches of Copperhouse are now an RSPB Nature Reserve, and its mudflats attract all manner of birdlife throughout the year.
Hayle’s outdoor swimming pool, which is open from May to September, is situated at one end of Copperhouse pool. Despite being unheated, this open-air lido is where many local children learnt to swim and its popularity means that it’s a good idea to book a place in advance if you fancy a dip!
Hayle is also within easy reach of some of Cornwall’s finest and longest beaches, the idyllic seaside town of St Ives and the picture perfect Godrevy Lighthouse.
Swanpool Lake, Falmouth
Best for: Feeding ducks
Facilities: Crazy golf, café, toilets, and parking
This little tidal lagoon close to Falmouth was formed thousands of years ago during the last Ice Age when a shingle bar separated the pool from the sea. Since then it has become a haven for wildlife and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its unique ecology.
This picturesque spot is also a popular place for families who come here to enjoy the peaceful waterside walks and to feed the ever-hungry ducks! The other wildlife you might see includes swans, coots, herons, kingfishers and surprisingly even the odd stray turtle – apparently a few unwanted pets were released into the pool in the 1990s.
Right beside a sheltered beach, Swanpool is a perfect place to while away the hours and enjoy a relaxing, fun, family day out. There is a café and ice cream shop where you can also hire kayaks, and even an 18-hole Crazy Golf Course right beside the pool (be careful not to lose your ball in the water!).
Swanpool is also right beside the coastal path so it’s possible to take a stroll in either direction to discover more beaches or walk into Falmouth town.
Tamar Lakes, Bude
Best for: Boating
Facilities: Café, children’s play areas, bird hides, equipment hire, picnic areas, toilets and parking
The Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes are reservoirs formed on the Tamar River, so they stand right on the border between Cornwall and Devon. Despite only being constructed in the 1970s, they have become wonderful ‘natural’ features in the landscape providing a home for wildlife and a playground for humans.
There’s a circular 3-mile route around the Upper Lake and shorter routes to the Lower Lake. These paths, some of which are accessible for wheelchair users, all pass numerous picnic spots along the way as well as bird hides and look-out points to enjoy the stunning scenery. Like all the lakes in Cornwall the range of birdlife here is impressive!
There is also an activities centre where you can hire equipment so that you can enjoy the lakes from the water. Rowing boats, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are all available in season.
Siblyback Lake, Bodmin Moor
Best for: Stargazing
Facilities: Café, toilets, picnic areas and parking
Surrounded by the vast, wild uplands of Bodmin Moor, arriving at Siblyback Lake feels a little like discovering an oasis in the desert! Beyond the lakeside café and play area there is an almost flat, 3-mile circular walk that is popular with runners, cyclists, and wheelchair users. Following the contours of the lake with its amazing array of flora and fauna, the path passes through ancient woodland and over the impressive dam.
Siblyback Lake has a resident population of Brown Trout and is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout so fishing is available if you feel like a relaxed activity. For those looking for something a little more exhilarating, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are available for hire.
Siblyback Lake lies in the heart of Bodmin Moor’s Dark Sky Reserve which means that it is a wonderful place for stargazing!
Argal and College Lakes, Penryn
Best for: Fishing
Facilities: Toilets, café, and parking
Argal is the larger of the two lakes that can be found very close to the town of Penryn. A 1.5-mile path circles the lake and can be joined up with the shorter, wooded route that passes College Lake.
Although reservoirs supplying water to the surrounding area, both lakes also have Nature Reserves and make for wonderful destinations for a shady, peaceful walk, whatever the weather.
You might not be able to get out on the water here, but the incredible range of wildlife more than makes up for this.
Both lakes have waterfowl aplenty, and all sorts of species have been spotted, such as wigeon, pochard, great crested grebe, tufted duck, mallard, goldeneye, and even the elusive yellow browed warbler has been seen here.
Dragonflies crowd the water in the summer and bat walks often take place throughout the year at Argal Lake at dusk; some recent sightings have included pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, noctule, Daubenton’s, and the rare nathusius pipistrelle.
Fishing permits are also available for Argal Lake, which is reputedly home to an elusive and much sought after carp nicknamed ‘The Secret’. There are also impressive pike weighing up to 25lbs, large bream at around 15lb, as well as perch, roach, and rudd - a fisherman’s dream!
Other lakes to explore in Cornwall
Crowdy Reservoir, Bodmin Moor
Another of the hidden treasures on Bodmin Moor near Camelford, Crowdy Reservoir is well known as a great place to spot the incredible spectacle of starling murmurations. Covering 115 acres, it is also free to fish on this vast and isolated lake - the reservoir rarely lives up to its name!
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