SUP Away Holiday - Tamworth England UK

The Midlands in central UK may not be somewhere you consider when thinking about a SUP away holiday. But it is home to some wonderful waterways, lakes, canals and rivers. Perfect for flat water and long-distance cruising.

 

Tamworth is a market town just 14 miles north east of Birmingham and 100 miles north of London.  It takes its name from the river Tame which flows through it. As you paddle along you can see iconic landmarks such as the Tamworth castle, a Norman stronghold overlooking the junction of the River Tame and River Anker.

 

SUP Activities

ASI accredited Central SUP is located at Cliff Lakes Water Park in the grounds of Tamworth Castle. Here they offer SUP lessons and SUP tours to all levels, ages and abilities. Cliff lakes is comprised of three purpose-built lakes, all with safe, easy access routes and are available to paddle on year-round. The perfect place for an introduction to SUP.

SUP Lessons: Central SUP offers three progression levels to choose from: Bronze, silver and gold (for the advanced paddlers). Each session is designed to help you move on the next level.

SUP Family Activities: For children aged 7-8 years old they can take a SUP a lesson independently.

What’s included:  All instruction and safety briefings plus SUP board, paddle, leash, wetsuit or rash shirt.

 

SUP Tours:  
Central SUP River Adventure (2 hours, suitable for all levels)

Enjoy the thrill of SUP adventure combined with learning how to paddle all at the same time.  This 2-hour session combines a beginner SUP lesson and a fun but easy paddle in Tamworth Castle grounds to put your new skills into practice. Perfect if you want to enjoy the river and have some fun at the same time.

 

 

Central SUP also offers regular guided paddles with long distance and shorter routes. So, if you want a gentle paddle or a long summer cruise, stopping off at a cafe or two, you can do it here.

 

SUP the River Tame: Running through Tamworth castle grounds, which offers both countryside and city views depending on which way you paddle. The river is shallow in parts but is suitable for beginners and all SUP levels.

 

SUP the city: If you fancy a trip to the city there’s no better way than by water. You can SUP along canals and waterways that lead you through Birmingham’s suburbs and see both old and new iconic buildings.  From the new shopping centre Birmingham’s Mailbox to Spitfire Island where fighter planes were once built.

 

SUP Facilities:
There are great facilities at Central SUP with changing rooms, hot showers, a coffee hut and a waterfront bar where you can wind down after a hard days paddling with a cold beer or two.

 

Getting there:

Fly into Birmingham international airport. Take a 30-minute taxi ride to Tamworth.

Hourly trains run between Tamworth and Birmingham New Street Station.

 

Where to stay

A no-frills campsite is available at the stunning lakeside setting if you want to really get back to nature. Or if you are looking for something more upmarket there are an array of hotels and B&B’s in the area. Such as the Brook Marston Farm hotel just 2 miles from the lakes.

Camping: https://www.clifflakes.org/copy-of-camping

Hotel: https://marstonfarm-hotel.co.uk/en

 

Where to eat

After a day’s paddling why not eat at the lakes Waterfront Bar where the chef is classically trained and worked at Claridge’s in London?  Or head to one of hundreds of good restaurants in Tamworth just a few miles away.

 

Best time of year to visit

From May to September the temperature is warmer as is the water. High season is July and August so this is the busiest time of year to visit.

 

Local Tourist Attractions

As well as doing as much paddling as possible and seeing the sites from the water. If you wanted to get off your board, the famous Tamworth Castle plays host to a list of events throughout the summer season.
http://www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/events

 

Tamworth also has a ‘Street Eats and Beats’ festival, which brings a range of gourmet food and drink with music to the streets of the town centre on the last Friday evening of every month. If you want to see some nature and wildlife, visit one of Tamworth’s 14 wildlife and nature reserves, six of which are designated as Local Nature Reserves. More about Tamworth and local tourist attractions can be found on the tourist information site at:   http://www.visittamworth.co.uk/

 

For a SUP away holiday with a difference, urban paddle boarding in Tamworth is a cool way to explore the city or the countryside around it. Plus, there are literally miles of waterways to explore by SUP. Whether you’re after a tour or your first ever SUP lesson on the lake, Central SUP can accommodate your needs while having fun at the same time.

 

 

For more information on Central SUP click here
https://www.academyofsurfing.com/school/stand-up-paddle/central-sup-213

 

 

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About ASI

 

ASI is a professional membership organisation and international governing body for instructors, coaches and schools in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.

We set the standards for education, accreditation, professional development and ongoing support for our members, offering pathways from entry level to elite level.

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ASI Accredited Schools abide by the high international standards for operations, training and safety.