9 Epic Places to Go Paddle Boarding Near Me in Birmingham and the West Midlands (by a Local)

Looking for a local’s guide to the best paddle boarding spots in the West Midlands?

Paddle boarding is an exciting water sport activity that has been surging in popularity in recent years, and the West Midlands has numerous stunning locations that offer some of the best paddleboarding experiences available for people of all ages, whether newbies or pros.

What is stand up paddleboarding?

Also known as ‘stand up paddle boarding’ (SUP), the popular water sport activity involves standing on a board and using a paddle to navigate the water. You can stand or kneel on the board and use your arms to propel yourself forward with a paddle.

As a West Midlands local born and raised, I’ve gone paddle boarding at several of the locations in this post, so I can attest to the recommendations in this guide for their fantastic scenery, easy water routes, and high quality equipment.

The popularity of this activity is down to its ease of learning, safety, and inclusivity, as well as being an exciting and adventurous activity offering a full-body workout.

The sport has been around since ancient times, but it’s only since the early 2000s that the popularity of the sport skyrocketed, and since has seen millions of people take up the sport all over the world.

So if you’re wondering where are the best places in the West Midlands to paddle board near me, this post has the lowdown on the 9 most epic locations.

9 Top Paddleboarding Spots in the West Midlands (a local’s guide)

Best paddle boarding locations near me in Birmingham and the West Midlands, UK. Best SUP schools, rental spots, most scenic lakes, reservoirs and rivers to go paddle boarding.

1. Staffordshire: Pier 52 at Chasewater Country Park

Pier 52 Chasewater is a friendly watersports venue located at the 270-acre Chasewater Reservoir in Burntwood, that offers stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) to the public.

Constructed in the late 18th Century, Chasewater Reservoir supplies and maintains the water levels of the important trading routes that forms the Birmingham Canal Network.

Easily one of my favorite spots on this list, Chasewater is a large lake surrounded by stunning scenery and close by to Cannock Chase Forest – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Pier 52 has both experienced and novice paddlers covered, and their expert instructors will help you progress at a pace that is suitable for you.

The pricing at Pier 52 Chasewater is £10 for 2 hours, though if you wish to share the board with others during the 2 hours, each additional person will cost £5.

It is worth noting that due to the SSSI status of Chasewater, every SUP board must be cleaned with fresh water and dried before being launched at Pier 52.

Pier 52 Chasewater is also a great place to enjoy other water sports in an inclusive and relaxed atmosphere. What’s more, Chasewater is a lovely place for a walk, with a park, a large pond with swans and ducks, an information center, a cafe, and a railway.

Admission: No gate fee, pay for rentals
Opening Times: 8am-5pm daily peak season
Amenities: Lakeside cafe, toilets, parking

Being just 30 minutes away from Birmingham by car, Chasewater Reservoir is an excellent place to visit as a day trip from Birmingham.

👉 Related post: head over to nearby Cannock Chase Forest for the perfect day out packed with walking treks, cycling trails, outdoor adventure courses and more!

2. The River Severn: Hire a Canoe, Shrewsbury

The River Severn is a superb place for experienced paddlers, offering a challenging and scenic journey along one of the longest rivers in the UK.

Paddle boarding at Hire a Canoe Shrewsbury is an exciting and fun-filled activity providing an opportunity for visitors to admire the beautiful countryside and explore the picturesque River Severn in Shropshire.

At Hire a Canoe, visitors can hire a stand-up paddle board for £24 per person, including all necessary equipment. You can also take instructor-led paddle board lessons at £36 per person.

Want something longer? opt for the 12-mile trip instead – you’ll be picked up from Frankwell in Shrewsbury and driven to Montford Bridge. From there you’ll paddle downstream back into Shrewsbury town. For £96, you can combine a 12-mile paddleboarding session with an overnight camping stay at a riverbank campsite.

The company also provides three different sizes of paddle boards to suit people of all ages as well as wetsuits free of charge. Participants must bring their own waterproof footwear, or a pair of shoes they don’t mind getting wet.

Hire A Canoe has rave reviews with previous visitors describing the experience as “nothing was too much trouble and everything was well organized and prepared”. Reviews also highly recommend paddle boarding and state that “there’s no feeling quite like paddle boarding” which I totally agree with!

Admission: Rental rates £15-£25 per half/full day
Opening Times: 9am-5pm seasonally
Amenities: Cafe, parking, changing rooms

3. Sutton Park: Sutton Sailing Club

Sutton Sailing Club is located at Powells Pool in the sprawling 2,400-acre Sutton Park National Nature Reserve, on the edge of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.

The club specializes in stand-up paddleboarding and dinghying and has a friendly atmosphere. If you’re interested in trying stand up paddleboarding, you can bring your own board, or hire one from the club for a small fee.

SUP and sailing membership prices can be found on the club’s website as well as on this membership fees PDF.

The club is set in the scenic Sutton Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, and also offers model boating on Powells pool lake. Blackroot Pool is where you’ll usually find others paddleboarding, though you’ll also find paddleboarders at Bracebridge Pool. 

Admission: Membership required for rentals
Opening Times: Season opens May-October
Amenities: Kiosk cafe, parking lot

👉 Read more: Best way to get from Birmingham to Alton Towers

4. Whitchurch: Alderford Lake

One of the most stunning places to go paddleboarding in the Midlands is at the 14-acre Alderford Lake near the historic town of Whitchurch, close to the border with Wales.

Alderford Lake is perfect for water adventurers, whether you’re a wild-water swimming fanatic, boating enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun day out with your family. SUP, Kayak, and Canoe hire are available at Alderford Lake, the perfect spot for both complete novices and experienced pros.

Visitors can bring their own paddle boarding equipment onto the lake or hire out equipment, which is available for hire every weekend between April-September, and during the week throughout the school term holidays.

The All-Day Self Launch pass costs just £8 per adult and £6.15 for children aged 13-17 years. Paddleboard rental prices start from £22 per person. All passes come with full-day lake admission, allowing you to explore the lake’s surroundings after your paddle-boarding session is complete.

For amateurs or those wanting to take lessons, there are sessions led by ASI-qualified instructors available from £30 on Saturdays and Sundays.

I still remember my first time paddleboarding at Alderford Lake near Whitchurch several years ago. I was a bit shaky at first, wobbling to find my balance with each stroke. But within an hour I was calmly gliding across crystal clear waters, taking in our stunning surroundings. It was incredibly peaceful, just the sound of my paddle cutting through the tranquil lake. I spotted some gorgeous red kites circling above too. Since then I’ve been hooked!

Admission: £22 per hour rental fee
Opening Times: Open daily from 9am to 4:30pm, last entry 4pm, the cafe is also open during these hours.

5. Birmingham: Edgbaston Watersports

A beautiful, 70-acre site of open water surrounded by wood and grasslands, Edgbaston Reservoir is home to Edgbaston Watersports, Birmingham’s premier water sports venue offering a broad range of activities including boat-touring, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, and of course paddle boarding. The center is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.

In addition, Edgbaston Watersports stands out for its specialist courses that cater to all levels of ability and works with schools, colleges, universities, youth organizations, and adult and junior groups.

The company values quality, safety, learning, fun, and adventure, with a focus on individual needs and developing self-esteem, confidence, teamwork, and social awareness, as well as an appreciation for the natural environment.

Another one of my faves on the list, Edgbaston Watersports is a surprisingly large area of nature close to the center of Birmingham, making it a very convenient getaway from the smoke and bustle of the city.

Equipment is available for hire on an hourly basis and includes wetsuits, spray tops, and buoyancy aids, however they advise visitors to bring their own towels, swimsuits and suitable footwear.

Sail Birmingham runs programs like the ‘Monday Night Paddle Club’ between 5-6pm on Mondays, which anyone over 16 can book a paddle boarding session for a reduced rate of £10, though if you turn up with your own equipment you can just pay a reduced access charge of £5.

On Wednesday evenings there’s “Go Paddling” throughout the summer months. Costing £14 per person, this program is suitable for people aged 8 and above and includes all instructions and equipment.

Admission: £30 per hour lesson + rental
Opening Times: Open daily year-round
Amenities: Restaurant/bar on grounds, parking

👉 Did you know: There are more canals in Birmingham than in Venice! For more fun facts, head over to 38 Interesting Facts about Birmingham

6. Ironbridge: Shropshire Raft Tours

One of the unique aspects of Shropshire Raft Tours in Shropshire is that they offer Mega Paddle Boards that can accommodate 5 to 8 people, making it the perfect choice for families, groups of friends, or school day trips.

The route is 8.5 miles long and is along the River Severn, which is one of the longest and most scenic rivers in England. This is a great way to enjoy the scenery and explore the beauty of the River Severn.

The starting point is upriver and finishes in Ironbridge, offering participants between 3-4 hours of paddle surfing.

Mega paddle board rental prices start from £149 and go up to £179, depending on the number of persons involved. All the equipment is provided, including paddles, helmets, dry bags, and buoyancy aids. Visitors are required to wear appropriate clothing or bring their own wetsuits for the sessions.

Having paddled here a couple times, I found Ironbridge to offer one of the most picturesque paddleboard experiences alongside Alderford Lake, given the stunning Shropshire countryside and the iconic Ironbridge Gorge that it passes through.

Ironbridge Gorge is one of the best day trips from Birmingham for families, which is all the more reason why you should visit.

Admission: £25 per person for 1.5 hour tour (gear included)
Opening Times: Tours run weekends and holidays
Amenities: Parking available riverside

Related: Here’s a guide to the best campsites for paddle boarding in the UK

7. Worcester and Birmingham Canal

The Worcester & Birmingham Canal offers terrific routes for paddling through quintessentially English landscapes steeped in trade history.

Built in the late 1700s for transporting goods from the River Severn inland, this lengthy narrow canal features lots of interesting waypoints rolling by as you lightly paddle along.

With multiple access points from central Birmingham through Worcestershire, the highlights include gliding under old rail bridges, spotting elegant narrowboats moored up, and weaving through small hamlets whose pubs back right up to the canal edge!

Wildlife like ducks and swans may swim alongside too. It’s a scenic way to cover more ground than walking allows in a history-filled day out.

Easily one of my favorite spots to paddleboard, the Birmingham and Worcester Canal is also one of the best places to go paddle boarding in the West Midlands.

Opening Times: Rental centers open 9am – 5pm generally
Paddleboard providers: Cotswolds Water Park (in Worcestershire)
Admission: Rentals around £20-25 for 1-2 hours

Getting There: Various rental locations right along canal routes, often boat hire businesses have stock. No transportation beyond your arms needed!

8. Walsall: Aldridge SUP School

Aldridge SUP School provides numerous water activities on a scenic, 14-acre lake known by the locals as ’The Swag’ and is a wonderful place for those keen to learn SUP or join a friendly paddle boarding club. The school offers a wide range of services to choose from, whether it’s taking lessons, renting paddle boards, or joining the club.

They have flexible opening hours, with sessions available on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays. The school is located next to the Aldridge Sailing Club.

If you’re a newbie, Aldridge SUP is a great choice as it offers both individual and group lessons, and runs an active paddle boarding club. All equipment is provided, including the board, inflatable paddle, and buoyancy aid.

If you’re more experienced and just want to get out onto the water, you can pay a £15 launch fee for the day or become a member for the year for £90 with unlimited visits. Becoming a member has its benefits as you also get a 20% discount off every paddleboard hire and you can enjoy the activity whenever you like.

Aldridge SUP School is equipped with showers, toilets, and food and drinks available on-site.

Admission: £25 per person, per session
Opening Times: Lesson times vary seasonally
Amenities: Nearby café, street parking

9. Dudley: Dudley Water Ski Wakeboard & SUP Club

Dudley Water Ski, Wakeboard & SUP Club is a friendly and approachable place for water sports enthusiasts, including those who are just starting out.

The club is located at the 14-acre Netherton Reservoir, also known as Lodge Farm Reservoir or simply the ‘Rezza’, in Dudley.

It was originally opened in 1838, and the reservoir has now become a haven for watersports activities like waterskiing, wakeboarding, inflatable rides, and of course paddleboarding in the West Midlands – all of which are on offer at Dudley Water Ski, Wakeboard & SUP Club.

For as little as £15 per person you can book individual or group sessions, while lessons cost £25 each. All equipment is provided, which includes the paddleboard, paddle, wetsuit, and buoyancy aid.

I have happy memories of paddleboarding at Dudley a couple of years back. I recommend doing what I did, and spending an active morning paddleboarding here, before heading over to nearby Dudley Zoo – one of the best zoos in the UK, in the afternoon, for a wonderful day out.

Admission: £10 membership fee to access rentals
Opening Times: Open Wednesdays peak season
Amenities: Onsite restaurant and bar area

Other Places to go Paddleboarding Near Me

📍 Tame Valley Canal, Walsall: The Tame Valley Canal offers a picturesque setting that provides a peaceful and serene environment for paddlers to enjoy the beauty of nature and wildlife while exploring the canal on their boards.

📍 Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal: The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal is a peaceful and scenic place packed with a variety of wildlife. Walking or cycling this canal also makes for one of the top things to do in Stoke-on-Trent, England.

Local Paddle Boarding Near Me:

The following are links to useful resources and organizations providing a range of services, tours, SUP lessons, rentals, and more, in the West Midlands region:

👉 Read more: Here’s a guide to all the nearest beaches to Birmingham

First time Paddleboarding? Here’s some Important Advice:

If you’re trying paddleboarding for the first time, be sure to read the following advice before you head out onto the water.

❗️Choosing the Right Paddleboard

With so many paddleboard sizes, shapes, and materials available, it can be tricky selecting the right one.

Wider boards are more stable for beginners and yoga, while narrow designs are faster but require better balance. Inflatable boards are portable but might lack speed.

Hard boards excel in performance but need proper vehicle transport. When renting or buying, consider your main paddleboarding uses, skill level, transport options, and budget.

❗️Mastering Basic Maneuvers

Learning fundamental paddleboarding moves will level up your abilities. Practice proper paddling by keeping your torso engaged and rotating from your core, not just arms.

Draw deep strokes for efficiency. Work on balance by standing on one leg then switching. Lean into turns using torso and paddle to steer.

Dismounting properly is key too – squat low, grab the board edge, and push yourself backwards onto your knees.

❗️Reading River Currents

Rivers and narrow canals bring the added challenge of dealing with currents. When flows quicken, paddling harder often just tires you out. Instead learn to work with the current whenever possible.

Scan ahead for any upcoming splits in flow and crossing currents. Position yourself to catch beneficial angles to glide faster with less work.

Practice ferrying across fast currents. Edging and bracing skills help prevent tipping in turbulent water.

❗️Cold Water Precautions

Even during warm West Midlands summers, water can remain dangerously cold year round. Sudden immersion without protection can paralyze muscles and affect breathing.

So wear wetsuits in cooler months and have dry clothes waiting. Stay close to shore and avoid overexertion when first adjusting.

Know signs of hypothermia like shivering and confusion. Gradually acclimate to frigid conditions while carefully monitoring body signals.

❗️Respecting Other Users

Rivers and narrow canals see boats, kayakers and recreational swimmers. Avoid congested sections. Pass others widely and at safe speeds.

Note canal boats may need space in the center and be unable to stop rapidly. Offer right of way to those going upstream or downriver.

If paddling at night, have ample bright lights. And never enter restricted areas like weirs. Simple courtesy ensures safe, harmonious enjoyment for everyone.

Paddleboarding Near Me FAQs:

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about paddleboarding:

Related: More paddleboarding posts:

Best Stand Up Paddleboarding Spots in London
23 Best Paddle Boarding Destinations in the UK