LOVING THE LAKES

Wimbleball Lake

Explore the south west lakes

Camping, walking, fishing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, watching wildlife and exploring scenic retreats by the shores of a lake offer many options for a magical spring break for visitors to the south west

Whether your passion is watersports, angling, walking, cycling or simply enjoying nature with loved ones, you’ll find the perfect setting at South West Lakes’ picturesque locations in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and on Exmoor this spring.

You can choose to escape everyday life at the majestic Wimbleball on Exmoor (less than a two-hour drive from Bath), the idyllic Roadford on the edge of Dartmoor and Cornish lakes including Upper Tamar near Bude, Siblyback near Liskeard and Stithians near Redruth. Hike along the rolling hills of Dartmoor, cycle around the edge of Bodmin Moor or admire Exmoor’s impressive dark skies. With footpaths and cycle trails to explore, woodlands to discover and play areas to enjoy, everyone can get involved and benefit from being outdoors. It’s your outdoors – so go and explore this spring and stay at one of South West Lakes’ five lakeside campsites.

Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

Nestled within the rolling hills of Exmoor National Park, this 530acre lake has something for the whole family to enjoy. The familyfriendly campsite offers five bell tents and two wooden camping pods as well as a choice of hard standings, electric and non-electric pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans. You can also hire a fire pit, purchase wood and charcoal made onsite, rent a telescope and discover why Exmoor National Park is a designated Dark Skies reserve.

You can explore Exmoor, walk to Haddon Hill from Wimbleball and see if you can spot the great range of wildlife at the lake, such as the iconic Exmoor ponies and deer. The closest town to Wimbleball is Dulverton but it's also worth venturing slightly further to explore the popular towns and villages of Tiverton, Porlock, Minehead, Watchet, Wiviliscombe, Taunton and Wellington. Campsite opens 2 March.

Roadford Lake, Devon

Surrounded by countryside, and nestled amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Wolf Valley with the dramatic tors of Dartmoor as its backdrop, Roadford is the perfect location for your next family escape. The scenic campsite offers a choice of spacious electric and non-electric pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes as well as a bell tent called Bertie. A new play area will be opening in the spring.

Roadford is the perfect base to explore the spectacular Dartmoor National Park. Enjoy a day trip out and discover some more of South West Lakes’ Dartmoor sites including Burrator, Fernworthy, Meldon, Avon Dam, Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford. Within easy reach of

Hike along the rolling hills of Dartmoor, cycle around the edge of Bodmin Moor or admire Exmoor’s impressive dark skies ❝

Roadford are the historic towns of Launceston and Okehampton and some of the best beaches in Devon and Cornwall are less than an hour away. Campsite opens 18 February.

Siblyback Lake, Cornwall

With the striking backdrop of Bodmin Moor, a designated International Dark Sky Landscape, Siblyback Lake lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Right next to the lake, the small campsite has a choice of electric and non-electric pitches for tents and motorhomes.

A must-do on your visit to Bodmin Moor is Dozmary Pool, where, according to legend, King Arthur rowed out to the Lady of the Lake and received the sword Excalibur. Campsite opens 1 May.

Stithians Lake, Cornwall

Surrounded by farmland and moorland, Stithians is the largest inland water in West Cornwall. Stithians Lake’s family friendly campsite has a choice of electric and non-electric pitches. If glamping is more your style, you can stay in one of the luxury bell tents, furnished with comfy double beds and the option of camp beds for up to two children. Everything you need will be in your tent, including storage for clothes, bean bags, fairy lights, lighting and a charging point for your gadgets. Each bell tent has an undercover outdoor cooking area with table and seating. Just pack your duvet and pillows and you’re all set!

Cornish landmarks the Minack Theatre, Glendurgan Gardens and Pendennis Castle are all within easy reach. Campsite opens 1 April.

Tamar Lakes, Cornwall

Tucked away on the Cornwall and Devon border, Tamar Lakes is bordered by peaceful countryside. The campsite has a choice of electric and non-electric pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Or you can choose the onsite four-berth glamping pod –furnished with two bunk beds, a table and chairs, cutlery and a cool-box –which is perfect for those not wanting to carry lots of camping gear. There’s a solar powered light, but no other electricity supply – so it’s not really cheating, right?

The Cornish coastal town of Bude, with its sea pool and popular beaches, is nearby. Under an hour’s drive from the lake are Dartmoor National Park and the ever-popular beach resort of Newquay. Campsite opens 1 April.

Activities on offer

Whichever of the five lakes you choose to stay near, you’ll find an actionpacked programme of adventurous activities. There’s something for all ages and abilities to enjoy, from stand up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking to sailing and windsurfing. You can hire a variety of watersports equipment, launch your own craft or learn something new by taking part in an activity session. At Wimbleball and Roadford, you can also enjoy an aerial adventure on the high ropes course or hit the bullseye on the archery range.

If you would rather recharge and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, then you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy nature’s soundtrack. Take your own bikes and don’t forget your walking shoes so you can explore the lakes on foot. There is a plethora of wildlife to discover and plenty of quiet spots to enjoy a good book or play some outdoor games. The lakeside cafés also provide the perfect spot to refuel after a fun-filled day at the lake.

And for those who enjoy a spot of fishing, South West Lakes offers 26 different waters for both coarse and trout angling.

Fly fishing at Siblyback Lake

Kayaking at Roadford Roadford Lake

Camping at Tamar Lakes

I watched two girls approach each other from opposite sides of a bridge, whilst stuck in traffic. Both wrapped in warm winter clothes on a rather dull day. The closer they got to each other the more their expressions changed.

Was it the recognition of a friend, that wonderful human connection? Maybe they were new acquaintances or old friends but watching the way their faces lit up, smiles beaming, and eyes creased at the corners did something to me in that moment…It made me spontaneously upturn my mouth to form that same smile and gave me a sudden warm flutter across my heart.

Witnessing this scene made me to think about the question why do we smile? I know I smile at lovely, funny, sweet things, puppies etc., etc. and when I do it makes me feel good. I suppose it is like a dog wagging its tail, but there are so many other feelings that go along with a smile. It could be pure excitement, fun, happiness, love it could be a sexy smile in an exchange of passion.

So, what’s the science behind a smile and why do we do it?

The process is simple...

1)Endorphins are released by the brain in response to a positive stimulation. 2)The brain also instructs our face muscles to contract and grin. 3)The contracting muscles send a message to the brain that ays, “Wow, we’re feeling wonderful.” 4)Our brain then releases even more endorphins, filling us with more joy!

As a result, we get this positive feedback cycle.

The first scientist to successfully recognize and report about this facial feedback theory was Charles Darwin. This idea proposed that tensing our face muscles could modify our emotional states. It was discovered that the muscles inside the cheeks (zygomaticus major muscle) and around the eye socket (orbicularis oculi muscle) were critical in enhancing a person's mood. So even faking or forcing a smile lowers stress and increases happiness. If you’re having trouble forcing your facial muscles to contract into a smile, try biting on a pencil. It’s virtually the same motion as smiling, and it sends the same mood-altering information to the brain.

Don’t panic if you think it's difficult to fake a smile. All you have to do is be in the company of someone who smiles. According to a Swedish study, it is difficult to maintain a frown when looking at people who are beaming at you. Smiling spreads like wildfire! Seeing other people smile stimulates our mirror neurons, causing us to suppress our facial muscle control and smile. So, “You smile, I smile” is actually scientifically proven.

We all know that smiling can make us feel better, but did you know that it comes with some serious health benefits? Smiling can help you feel better by lowering your blood pressure and heart rate. Grinning causes the production of endorphins, which are naturally occurring pain relievers. It also triggers the release of neuropeptides, which counteract stress.

It’s safe to say that smiling is beneficial to both your emotional and physical wellbeing. So, what are you waiting for? Smile, it’s free therapy!

Are you struggling to book a GP appointment?

Although things are returning to normal across Bath, you may still be finding it difficult to schedule a GP appointment. Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital offers a private GP service, with minimal waiting times for appointments, prescriptions and referrals.

The GP service at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital offers patients the opportunity to see a GP face-to-face for 30 minutes in a relaxed environment. There are three GPs at the hospital, each working on different days to ensure cover across the week; Dr Claire Winstanley, Dr Gill Jenkins and Dr Sonia Mann.

Meet the team

Dr Claire Winstanley has a diverse interest in medicine, and is fascinated by all aspects of health and wellbeing, with a particular interest in diet, lifestyle and alternative therapies. Having worked as a GP in the NHS for over 20 years, Dr Winstanley is experienced in treating a wide range of acute and chronic problems. She enjoys the variety that general practice offers, as well as its challenges, and continues to work in the NHS, based at the Whiteladies Health Centre in Clifton, and for NHS 111.

Dr Gill Jenkins has over 35 years of medical experience, and a career that has spanned several areas of medicine. She has a particular interest in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but has experience in family planning, accident and emergency, psychiatry, weight management and travel medicine. Dr Jenkins also works as a freelance medical writer and broadcaster, working with a variety of magazines, medical newspapers, websites and on local and national TV and radio. Dr Sonia Mann began her medical career in London before relocating to Bristol with her family in 2010. Her main areas of interest are women’s health, mental wellbeing and integrative medicine. Dr Mann’s travels abroad and study of alternative health systems has helped her develop a more holistic approach to care, where time is taken to work with a patient’s individual needs, especially incorporating mental wellness and how this relates to their physical health, and visa versa.

Seeing a GP at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital

Appointments with a GP at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital are usually available within 48 hours, and sometimes on the same day you call. Appointment slots are 30 minutes, giving you a good amount of time to discuss your concerns or your ongoing medical condition. Our GP will also review your medical history, examine you, and talk with you about medication and lifestyle changes that may be advisable.

With 30 minutes available to discuss your options, you can feel reassured that your GP appointment at Nuffield Health is providing the help you need. The GP team cannot access your NHS notes. Therefore, if you are able to bring along a summary page of your NHS GP notes (available from them on request), along with any blood test results, scans or letters from previous consultations relating to your condition, this can save time during the appointment. Our GP can also oversee and coordinate your healthcare if you need to see multiple consultants for multiple problems.

Diet is also very important to our health but we all have different dietary needs, which can be made more confusing with the knowledge and advice, often conflicting, available on the internet. Sometimes the internet can be very helpful for our health, but sometimes it can cause unnecessary worry. We are here to have those conversations and signpost you, if needed, to respected, evidence-based websites to help you get well and stay well.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all more aware of the importance of our health, both physical and mental. As general practitioners, the team at Nuffield Health see a wide variety of acute and chronic problems, as well as those “odd problems” which might not be so straightforward.

Dr Winstanley says: “Our job is to talk to you about your symptoms (we love a list!), examine you as needed, organise the appropriate investigations and prescribe the necessary medication. Gill, Sonia and I have a wealth of knowledge in all areas of medicine. While we are generalists, not specialists, we know what tests may be necessary and can refer you for diagnostics and then, if needed, to the appropriate specialist.”

A 30-minute GP appointment at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital costs £110. If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Winstanley, Dr Jenkins or Dr Mann, call our Bookings team on 0117 911 5339, or visit our website.