Discovering Stanborough Lake
I’ve recently moved from Glasgow to Hertfordshire and one thing I wasn’t quite prepared for, was how hot the summers are down here. Back home, a warm day usually means grabbing a light jacket instead of a jumper. But down here, it means finding as many ways as you can to cool down!
Since moving, I’ve made it my mission to explore a new place every weekend and today we’re going to chat about one of my favourite spots in Welwyn Garden City, because I know you’re going to be running here when the next heat wave hits!
Stanborough Lakes in Welwyn Garden City is a not-so-hidden gem where you can try stand up paddleboarding, splash around with the family or simply relax by the water with a picnic. If you’re looking for a refreshing activity to beat the heat or an outdoor adventure to make the most of long summer days, paddleboarding in Welwyn Garden City is the perfect day out.
Getting there by train
One of the best parts of this adventure was how easy it was to get there. I hopped on the Thameslink train at Potters Bar and in less than 15 minutes, I was hopping off at Welwyn Garden City.
The car park at Stanborough Lakes gets really busy during school holidays and weekends, and often closes early because it’s full. So forget the stress of parking or traffic by getting the train.
Once you arrive at Welwyn Garden City train station, you can enjoy a 30 minute walk or grab a quick 5 minute taxi to Stanborough Park - home of the beautiful Stanborough Lakes.
If you’re coming from further afield, getting to Welwyn Garden City from London is just as straightforward. Direct Great Northern trains from London King’s Cross take less than half an hour, making it an ideal destination for spontaneous weekend adventures. With frequent services throughout the day, you can time your journey to suit a leisurely morning or an early start.
I booked my train tickets in advance on the Thameslink app as there’s no booking fee when you book direct and I also have a Network Railcard which saved me money on my train ticket too.
First impressions of Stanborough Lakes
When I arrived at Stanborough Park, I was struck by just how pretty it was. Spread across 126 acres, the park has two large lakes surrounded by trees, weeping willows and meadows that are perfect for a picnic. The South Lake is where all the watersports take place and as soon as I saw people gliding across the water on paddleboards, I knew I’d come to the right place.
I was a little early for my session, so I went for a wander around the lake. The paths around the lake are mainly paved so they’re easily accessible and some parts are fine gravel. There’s some cute wooden bridges around the lakes and over little streams.
It had been a little while since I’d done paddleboarding, so I was excited to get back on the water. If you’re new to paddleboarding, they have lessons which are designed for beginners.
An instructor gave the group a quick introduction on land before we collected our boards and carried them down to the water. Within minutes of pushing off, I was a little wobbly but upright, trying to remember to bend my knees and keep my eyes forward to help my balance. The calm surface of the lake was ideal for finding my balance when standing up… and yes, I fell in more than once but honestly, that’s the most fun part for me!
Paddleboarding: hire, lessons & family fun
What I loved most about the experience is how accessible it is. Sessions start from £8.50 and you don’t even need to bring your own gear - paddleboard hire in Welwyn Garden City is available right by the lake and included with your booking. Boards, paddles and life jackets are all provided, so you can just turn up and get going. There are options for short sessions if you just want to try it for half an hour, or longer rentals if you’re keen to spend more time exploring the lake.
If you’re new to paddleboarding, lessons are definitely worth it. The instructors are patient and friendly and after just a short session I felt confident. I also noticed plenty of families on the water. Paddleboarding for kids in Welwyn Garden City is really popular, with supervised sessions that make it safe and fun.
Groups of friends were laughing their way across the water too - some more successful at staying upright than others! It struck me as one of those activities that works for everyone, from families to groups to solo adventurers like me.
I also discovered there’s a Paddle Club and Open Swimming on Wednesdays and Saturdays if you fancy making it a regular hobby with 2 hour sessions. I can definitely see the appeal of joining a group - it’s a way to stay active and make friends so I think I’m going to join this, especially as it’s easy getting there by Thameslink.
Beyond paddleboarding: exploring Stanborough Park
After I’d had my fill of falling in (and finally managing a smooth lap of the lake), my session was over and I grabbed a snack at the on-site cafe. The views over the lake from here are stunning if you get a front row seat!
The park is full of families, couples and friends enjoying the sunshine and there’s such a relaxed, happy atmosphere. If paddleboarding isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of other activities at Stanborough Park: pedal boats (there’s unicorns, dragons and swan boats which look cool!), nature walks and more. The busiest area was the Splashlands, which is open daily and free to enter - it’s a huge splash pad with 67 interactive water jets, paddling river and dedicated toddler and kid zones.
It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend the whole day without feeling rushed. For anyone searching for things to do in Hertfordshire with kids, Stanborough Park is a brilliant option - it mixes outdoor adventure with open space to enjoy being outside.
A stroll into Welwyn Garden City
Since I still had some time before my train home, I wandered back into Welwyn Garden City town centre. I’d heard it was a ‘garden city’ but hadn’t appreciated just how leafy and spacious it would feel. The water fountain, beautiful flowers and landscaping give it such a unique charm and it’s full of places to shop, eat or just sit and people-watch.
After an hour of paddling (and falling in), I definitely worked up an appetite so I grabbed a bite at one of the restaurants in Welwyn Garden City before catching my train back to Potters Bar.
Planning your paddleboarding trip
If you’re tempted to give it a go yourself, here are a few tips I picked up:
- Best time to go: Summer is ideal, but paddleboarding sessions run from spring through to autumn. Warm afternoons are perfect for a splash.
- What to bring: A towel, water shoes or Crocs if you have them, a bottle of water, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner (there’s no toiletries provided in the changing rooms) and definitely a change of clothes - even if you think you won’t fall in, you probably will! Oh, bring a plastic/waterproof bag for your wet clothes too!
- Travel smart: Off-peak tickets make the train journey cheaper, GroupSave can save you up to third if you’re travelling with a group of friends and kids travel for £2 on selected off-peak journeys with a fare paying adult. Children under 5 travel free with a fare-paying adult.
If you want to stretch your visit into a weekend, there are also places to stay in Welwyn Garden City and nearby Hertfordshire villages. Next time, I’m tempted to stay overnight so I can try an evening paddle or explore more of the local countryside walks.
Final Thoughts
Moving from Glasgow to Hertfordshire has already given me plenty of new experiences, but paddleboarding at Stanborough Lakes has been one of the highlights so far! It’s refreshing, it’s fun and it’s such an easy day out by train. For me, it was the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer’s day while discovering more of what’s on my new doorstep.
If you’re looking for a new adventure, whether it’s paddleboarding for families, fun with friends or simply something different to do in the sunshine, Welwyn Garden City is well worth a visit. Just hop on a Thameslink train, pack your swimwear and get ready to make a splash.
About the author
Chloe Carmichael is the founder of Chloe’s Deal Club and an award-winning money influencer on a mission to revolutionise how the nation saves. Since 2019, Chloe has built an engaged community of more than 230,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and her newsletter, where she shares viral money-saving tips and deal-stacking tricks that have helped millions spend smarter.
A previous presenter on ITV’s This Morning, Chloe has also co-hosted part of a Channel 4 series with Joe Swash, shared unmissable deals on radio and was named Money Influencer of the Year at the British Bank Awards 2024. With her relatable style and proven strategies, Chloe has empowered millions to think differently about how they spend money - without giving up the things they love.