Explore the lakes of the south west

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

Book your spring getaway now at one of South West Lakes’ five lakeside campsites. Choose between the majestic Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor (a two-hour drive from Bath) and the idyllic Roadford Lake on the edge of Dartmoor or experience a different view of Cornwall at Tamar Lakes near Bude, Siblyback Lake near Liskeard or Stithians Lake near Redruth. 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 – come and explore!

Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

Nestled within the rolling hills of Exmoor National Park, this 530-acre lake has something for the whole family to enjoy. The family-friendly campsite has five bell tents, two wooden camping pods and a cabin as well as a choice of hard standings, electric and non-electric pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans. You can 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.

Hire watersports equipment, launch your own or learn something new with the friendly and knowledgeable instructors. Tackle the high ropes course or hit the bullseye on the archery range. You’ll also find a packed programme of activities during the school Easter, May half term, summer and October half term holidays.

Explore Exmoor and walk to Haddon Hill from Wimbleball. Look out for the 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. The campsite opens on 1 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 fantastic bell tent called Bertie. A new play area opened last year, next to Roadford Lake Café.

Hire watersports equipment, launch your own or learn to kayak, canoe, paddleboard or sail with the activities team. You’ll also find a packed programme of activities during the school May half term and summer holidays as well as at weekends in June and July. Roadford is also one of the best brown trout fisheries in the UK, with 700 acres of fishing to explore by boat or bank.

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 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 10 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.

Watersports equipment hire and self-launch is available when the Activity Centre opens in May. Stithians is also renowned for its fly fishing. It is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and home to a large population of resident brown trout. 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 28 April.

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.

Hire watersports equipment, launch your own or learn to kayak, canoe, paddleboard or sail. You’ll also find a packed programme of activities during the school Easter, May half term and summer holidays. The lake is open for fly-fishing from March to November. Cornish landmarks the Minack Theatre, Glendurgan Gardens and Pendennis Castle are all within easy reach. Campsite opens 1 April.

Tamar Lakes, Cornwall

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

Hire watersports equipment or launch your own. Upper Tamar Lake is also renowned for its carp and match-fishing. 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 31 March.

South West Lakes is an independent charity dedicated to caring for and enhancing the region’s reservoirs and lakes. Your support helps keep these places special for people and wildlife.

swlakestrust.org.uk/activities

Face first

Delving deep to understand your skin is the key to transforming it, says Crystal Rose. That’s where Eva Clinic comes in

Nestled five minutes outside of the city lies Eva Clinic, and certified aesthetic therapist Ewelina. With roots in an acclaimed aesthetic clinic in London, she has years of experience delivering effective skincare treatments to a portfolio of clients. She’s also a fully qualified VTCT trainer and exam assessor, sharing her knowledge and training the next generation of therapists through the Azalea Beauty Academy.

Stepping into the new purpose-built clinic (complete with private offstreet parking), I’m immediately met with fresh coffee, delicious treats and a warm, welcoming environment. We discuss my current skin condition and routine, as Ewelina offers her professional advice and suggestions to help me day-to-day. Note: SPF50 is great, but really it’s PA++++ coverage (offering PPD protection of 16 or more) that you seek – you’ll thank your younger self for the sun-blocking coverage later.

Enter: the OPATRA DOME. An advanced facial skin detection system that deeply analyses through state-of-the-art digital, spectrum imaging technology. 3D images highlight moisture levels, pigmentation, pores and texture before creating a personalised report. It’s here that Ewelina really assesses my skin, dishing out her expert aesthetic and beauty advice – complete with her personal recommendations. After this comprehensive analysis and consultation, we opt for the HydraFacial.

For those not acquainted with the HydraFacial, it’s a patented Votex-Fusion system that’s packed with multiple steps to deep-clean, exfoliate and hydrate skin. With no downtime, the non-invasive treatment immediately rejuvenates skin. The best bit? Your facial is completely bespoke to you, with additional stages depending on your skin condition and type. Ewelina gets to work, extracting debris painlessly from my pores after cleansing and uncovering a new layer of skin through gentle exfoliation and resurfacing. Typically there’s five stages in this treatment, but Ewelina opts for medical-grade peels, microdermabrasion and galvanic stimulation – think low-level currents that stimulate collagen production, boost circulation, and minimise wrinkles. Then comes radiofrequency rejuvenation – a non-invasive treatment that uses heat energy to prompt collagen and elastin production. My skin is intensely hydrated and detoxed through lymphatic drainage. My face is saturated with peptides and antioxidants and I left feeling intensely nourished – with a final layer to keep on overnight.

After a 90-minute treatment, it’s not just glowing, hydrated and visibly brightened skin that I leave with, but a highly considered list of suggested products and treatments that’ll help keep my skin at its best. Ewelina is on hand to support with personal aftercare and I am filled with fresh knowledge on what does and doesn’t work with my skin. As for the result –my skin is radiant for days, blemishes clear up quickly and hyperpigmentation visibly improves. To see the best results, it’s recommended to enjoy a HydraFacial every four to six weeks. Consider me sold. I think it’s safe to assume that I’ll be adding this to my list of regular beauty must-haves.

It’s worth noting, that to understand how to treat your epidermis, first you need to get to know your skin. And I mean, really know it. Luckily for us, we’ve got Ewelina and the OPATRA DOME to deliver an in-depth analysis, personalised report and expert advice. And thanks to them, I’ve never felt as educated and determined to keep my skin looking and feeling its best. Just don’t forget the daily SPF PA++++, collagen and vitamin C – those are non-negotiable. n

Digital Facial Skin Analysis and HydraFacial, £120, and a special £20 discount for Bath Magazine readers for HydraFacial treatments in February. Eva Clinic; evaclinicbath.com; 07507 420244

• Manicures and pedicures

• Waxing

• Electrolysis

• Eyebrow and eyelash treatments

• Semi permanent makeup for brows, eyes and lips

• Facials and skin care

• Peels

• Microdermabrasion

• Cryotherapy for wart, skin tag and pigmentation removal

• Ipl for permanent hair reduction, skin rejuvenation and facial thread vein treatment

• Vaginal tightening

• Body treatments for fat loss, toning, skin tightening and cellulite

• Dr led wrinkle reduction treatments, fillers and non surgical face lift

• Diet and nutrition advice

• Food intolerance, hormone testing and menopause advice