The beautiful lake an hour from London with overwater bungalows like the Maldives

The Sun

a day ago

THERE'S A LAKE an hour from London where you can pretend you are in the Maldives for the day.
Once a quarry, St Andrews Lake in Kent is home to a wealth of water-based activities, as well as lakeside lodges and beach spots.
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Dubbed "a taste of the Mediterranean" by author Lisa Drewe, visitors can enjoy a beautiful setting of rolling hills, forest, sandy shores all whilst paddling about in turquoise waters
The destination is one of the region's largest privately-owned lakes and visitors can enjoy open-water swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking and canoeing on the lake.
And for keen explorers, scuba diving is also available - where divers can discover submerged wrecks.
Dotted around the perimeter of the lake are a number of sandy beaches making it feel more like a coastal spot.
Then for those who want to extend their stay, there are also some luxury lodges complete and even a BBQ hut for hire.
On the lake itself, there are two aqua parks including one for little ones aged between two and six-years-old.
At the main aqua park, a huge inflatable course set 25metres from the shoreline, boasts slides and obstacles.
This course costs £25 per person.
Then at the Kids Aqua Park, there is a range of smaller inflatables suitable for splashing around, also with slides and obstacles.
This course costs £15 per person.
Guests at this TUI resort get waterpark access
If you get tired of being wet, there are also plenty of things to do on dry land, including a climbing wall with 15 different routes
The wall is suitable for both adults and children, of all experience levels and costs £15 per person for a 30-minute clip and climb session.
Or you can have a go at some archery for £15 per person.
Alternatively, you can just sit back and relax on Carp Beach, which is the lake's family-friendly beach sectioned off from all other watersports activities.
A day pass to the beach costs £30 per adult and £7.50 per child and it is supervised by lifeguards.
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You can also see spectacular views of the lake by going on the zip wire that whizzes above the waters and paddlers below.
For parents needing a little R&R, the wellness centre is home to a woodfired lakeside sauna that overlooks the blue waters of the lake, woodfired hot tubs, a plunge lagoon and a relaxation area with sim loungers and a spacious deck with views across the lake.
A wellness day pass costs £80 per person or £150 for two people.
Other activities available at the lake include axe throwing, yoga and dinghy sailing.
Throughout the summer there are a number of events on at the lake too, including perimeter swims.
If you have your own motorhome or camper van you can also stay at one of eight pitches, from £20.
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Alternatively, you can stay in one of the lodges including some that hover above the water just like they do in the Maldives.
One recent visitor said: "I never imagined that I could be blown away on a holiday in Kent. St Andrews Lakes lodges or boat houses are just amazing.
"Everything you need for peace tranquility and relaxing, looking out onto an aqua lake where the fish come to greet you.
"If you want the Maldives but don't want to pay or travel too far, then this is as good if not better - I'm talking from experience."
TUI has also revealed the top waterpark resorts with super slides, splash parks and swim-up bars.
Plus, one woman lives in the water park capital of the UK and has shared how to visit the five of the country's best on a day trip from just £8.
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