Fishing, walking, cycling, watersports and camping. Need more? Try wildlife spotting and the best coffee for miles around. Stithians Lake is an outdoor haven for fun and relaxation in a beautiful area of countryside inside an invisible triangle that’s formed by the towns of Redruth, Helston and Falmouth. In short, it’s close to all three Cornish towns.
Stithians Lake, also known as Stithians Reservoir due to its massive dam, is one of the largest inland lakes in Cornwall. It’s certainly the biggest in the western reaches of the county. And it’s a hive of activity over the summer and at other times of the year too but, due to its size, it’s also easy to find tranquil pastures here too. Farmland and moorland abound around the lake’s environs, with plenty of footpaths for some decent exploring and wildlife spotting.
Kids love the park next to the lake as there’s a pirate-themed play area here with a fab climbing boulder. There’s plenty of room to camp too, if you pay for the honour. Visitors also take to the water itself for a spot of kayaking, windsurfing, sailing or stand-up paddleboarding with equipment available for hire at the lake’s watersports centre. And, of course, fly-fishing for rainbow and brown trout between March and November is a must for angling enthusiasts as you can dangle your rod from the bank or a boat, with permits issued from a hut at the edge of the reservoir.
This is a beautiful lake in serene surrounds, with lots of room for cycling too. And the site’s café is also worth a stop. It overlooks the water and serves up authentic Italian dishes to go alongside its fab coffee. Whether you’re staying in Redruth, Helston, Falmouth or just planning to camp on the edge of the most tranquil waters in the area, Stithians Lake needs to be on your list if you like walking, fishing, cycling or watersports. Or if you just want to relax, Cornwall-style.