SUP

Stand-up paddleboarding near Birmingham

by eola

6 August, 2017

You can go stand-up paddleboarding within an hour or so of Birmingham, on the River Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon, at Cliff Lakes near Tamworth and at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham. SUP is one of the easiest watersports to pick up, so it's a good one to try as a beginner.

The thing that makes SUP so great (especially for us city dwellers) is that unlike Surfing or Kitesurfing all you need for SUP is a body of water - and there is plenty of that in or around Birmingham!

Here are our top picks for places to SUP in or around Birmingham.

Where to book

SUP Stratford: paddleboarding lessons, SUP yoga and river sessions on the Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon. The closest bookable option to Birmingham, and a good place to learn.
Holme Pierrepont Canoe Club: adult and junior SUP sessions plus beginners' paddlesport sessions at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.
Oxford SUP Club: beginners' lessons and coaching for individuals, groups and families on Farmoor Reservoir, just outside Oxford.

Group of stand-up paddleboarders on a calm, tree-lined river on a sunny day

River Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon

Recommended school: SUP Stratford

What we love: The Avon through Stratford is calm, sheltered and lined with trees, which makes it a friendly first paddle. SUP Stratford runs paddleboarding lessons from Riverside Caravan Park on Tiddington Road, along with SUP yoga and other sessions on the river.

Travel: Under an hour's drive from Central Birmingham.

Cliff Lakes, near Tamworth

What we love:

Easily reachable from all over Birmingham meaning there is no hassle in trying to organise transport and means one less thing to worry about when trying to get out on the water. Coupled with amazing views and a variety of great routes to explore, this really is a brilliant place to SUP.

Travel: Only a 30min drive from Central Birmingham.

Stand-up paddleboarding group out on the water at Cliff Lakes on an overcast day

Llangollen canal

What we love: Reasonably close to Central Birmingham, and well worth a visit. There's a wide diversity of water ways to explore, all suitable for varying levels of experience and skill. Two particular cool points about here is you have the opportunity to White Water SUP, which is a must do for more experienced SUP'ers. Secondly, and our personal favourite, you can also take your furry friend (Your dog!) for a SUP!

Travel: Slightly further afield meaning a 90min drive from Central Birmingham, but the opportunity to White Water SUP and SUP with your dog is unmissable!

Aerial view of a paddleboarder kneeling on a board in clear turquoise water

Yarwell, Peterborough

What we love: The River Nene around Yarwell is slow-moving and peaceful, with lovely riverside views, so it's a great place to spend a day on the water.

Travel: Again this one is a tad farther from Central Birmingham, but the 90min drive is well worth it for a quiet day on the river.

Woman stand-up paddleboarding on a blue board on the lake at Yarwell, with others paddling behind

Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham

Recommended school: Holme Pierrepont Canoe Club

What we love: The canoe club is based around the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, with a lake, a white water course and the River Trent on the doorstep. Its SUP sessions cater for adults, juniors and beginners, and there are mixed beginners' sessions if you'd like to try kayaking or canoeing too. You'll find more to book in Nottingham, including rafting.

Travel: Around an hour and a quarter's drive from Central Birmingham.

Now that you're all inspired to go SUP'ing why not book your next trip with eola?

If you're interested in other places to SUP, check out our other articles on stand-up paddleboarding in London and the South West.

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