Frequently Asked Questions

Bewl Water is located at Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst, Kent, TN3 8JH. We sit on the Kent and East Sussex border, about 10 miles south of Tunbridge Wells. The nearest motorway junction is J5 of the M25, approximately 25 miles away.

Bewl Water is best reached by car. The nearest train station is Frant (about 5 miles) and Wadhurst (about 7 miles), both on the London Cannon Street to Hastings line. There is no regular bus service directly to the reservoir, though a taxi from either station is straightforward.

The site is open from 8am and the gates close at 8pm. The Waterfront Café is open Monday to Sunday, 8:30am to 5pm, and reopens on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm to 8pm for pizza night. Bookable activities follow their own seasonal hours, so please check the relevant activity page before you travel.

The main visitor area, including The Waterfront and activity centre, is accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility needs. The full reservoir trail includes uneven terrain and may not be suitable for all visitors. Accessible toilets are available on site.

Dogs are very welcome at Bewl Water and must be kept under control at all times, on a lead around the café, play areas and livestock. Dogs are not permitted in the Aqua Park, the indoor play areas, or inside The Waterfront (the terrace is fine). On dogs going into the water: blue-green algae can be present, so we recommend keeping them away from still water and bays. If in doubt, ask at the Waterfront for the current conditions.

Toilets are available at the main visitor centre. Please be aware there are no public facilities around the full 13-mile reservoir trail, so we recommend making use of the facilities before you set off.

The trail is made from road stone and loose gravel, so rollerblading is not recommended. The route is best suited to walking, running and cycling.

The Epic Life discount is not entered through our booking system. To access it, please contact the organiser for your code before you renew.

Parking is charged via RingGo (site code 50900), and the first 30 minutes are free. Up to 1 hour is £4.00, 1 to 4 hours is £6.50, and all day (6am to 8pm) is £8.50. Motorcycles park free. Horseboxes and campervans are £10.00, minibuses £12.00, and coaches £50.00 all day. Blue badge holders pay the standard charges. If you visit often, the Annual Parking Pass works out cheaper.

Parking is managed by RingGo. You can pay using the RingGo app, by calling the RingGo number, or via the text message system. Our site code is 50900. Card and cash payments can also be made in the Waterfront Café.

Yes. The Annual Parking Pass allows unlimited parking for a full year and includes 10% off at the Waterfront Café. If you visit Bewl Water regularly, it pays for itself very quickly. Visit our Annual Pass page for more details.

Yes. Standard RingGo charges apply to blue badge holders. Disabled parking bays are available close to the Waterfront Café.

For paddleboarding, wingfoiling and fishing, follow the signs for Fishing. For all other activities, follow the signs for the Waterfront Café.

Booking in advance is recommended for the Aqua Park, sailing courses, and group activities as sessions can fill up quickly, especially during school holidays. Walk-ins are welcome for bike hire, pedalos, and walking trails.

The minimum age is 6, or a minimum height of 1.2 metres, and all participants must be able to swim 25 metres unaided. Children aged 6 to 12 must be accompanied on the park by a parent or guardian. Children aged 13 to 16 must have a parent or guardian supervising from the shore. A ratio of one adult per three children under 13 applies.

Yes. Bike hire is available daily from 10am, with the last hire at 2pm and all bikes back by 4pm (3pm in winter). Helmets are included and must be worn. Peak pricing (weekends and school-holiday weekdays) is £30 for an adult bike, £15 for a child bike and £8 for a child seat. Off-peak (weekdays outside school holidays) is £15, £7.50 and £4. Bringing your own bike is free. Electric bikes are not available to hire.

We recommend outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear for most activities, and waterproof layers are strongly advised for the trail walk or anything on the water. Wetsuit hire is included in the price of an Aqua Park ticket. For open water swimming you will need to bring your own wetsuit, and one is mandatory whenever the water is below 16°C.

We advise against attending the Aqua Park if you are pregnant. If you would still like to attend, please seek medical advice before you book.

Yes. Bewl Water is one of the South East's premier stillwater fisheries. Day tickets and season permits are available. Species include rainbow trout, brown trout, pike, and perch. A tackle shop is located on site for permits and equipment.

Yes, all anglers aged 13 and over must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence. These are available to purchase online at gov.uk or from most post offices. Junior licences for 13 to 16 year olds are free. A Bewl Water day ticket does not include an EA licence.

Under-18s can fish on a parent's ticket, provided the combined catch does not exceed the permit purchased. Anyone aged 13 or over still needs their own Environment Agency rod licence, which is separate from the Bewl Water permit. Junior licences for 13 to 16 year olds are free from gov.uk, and under-13s do not need one.

Yes. We recommend pre-booking rod hire at the same time as your boat. Please note that our fly-fishing rods are not available to hire.

Absolutely. We offer guided tuition sessions for complete beginners, and all tackle can be hired on-site. Our fishery team are happy to offer advice to newcomers. Contact us or visit the fishery lodge on arrival.

The 2026/27 trout fishing season at Bewl Water runs from 18 March 2026 to 14 February 2027. Predator fishing (pike and perch) runs from October to the end of February only. Please check current opening dates when booking.

No. Anyone under 18 needs someone aged 18 or over with them, whether they are fishing from the bank or from a boat. Under-18s are also not permitted to operate the fishing boat.

Yes. The Waterfront Café serves hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, and drinks throughout the day, 8:30am to 5pm every day, with pizza night on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm to 8pm. There is also an outdoor terrace with beautiful views across the reservoir, perfect for a post-activity break.

You are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy it in the designated picnic areas. We ask that you do not bring your own food into The Waterfront Café or restaurant.

Yes. The 2026 camping season runs from May to September, with three pitch zones and four luxury yurts. Bookings are managed through Camp Manager. Check-in is between 2pm and 6pm, and the entrance gates close at 8pm.

Camping and yurt bookings are managed through our Camp Manager online booking system. Visit our Camping page or go directly to bewlwater.campmanager.com to check availability and book.

Check-in is between 2pm and 6pm. Please note the gates close at 8pm, and late arrivals after 8pm will not be able to access the campsite.

BBQs are only permitted if you are staying on the campsite, and day visitors cannot bring one. If you are camping, your BBQ must be charcoal only, must not be disposable, and must be raised off the ground.

No. Campfires are not permitted at Bewl Water. Open fires, fire pits and rope swings are all prohibited, and burning wood is banned to protect the surrounding ancient woodland, so please do not collect deadwood or take branches from the trees. Charcoal BBQs are welcome on the campsite provided they are not disposable and are raised off the ground.

As many as will fit within your pitch, provided everyone staying has been paid for on the booking. Zone A and Zone C pitches are 8m x 12m, and Zone B pitches are 8m x 10m.

It depends on your zone. Zones A and C are drop-off only, and cars then use the designated camping car park. In Zone B you can keep your vehicle on the pitch.

Touring caravans are not permitted. Campervans and motorhomes up to 6 metres in length are welcome on Zone B pitches, where you can park right next to your tent.

Yes, awnings are welcome in Zone B. Please make sure the awning fits within the pitch dimensions of 8m x 10m.

Yes, the water's edge is only a short walk away. Please note that swimming is prohibited unless you are joining an organised Open Water Swimming session. If you would like to paddleboard or canoe, please sign in at the Fishing Lodge first.

No, we do not offer electric hook-ups. There is fresh drinking water in every camping field, washing-up stations with hot and cold water, and a limited number of phone charging points. Ask the campsite manager at check-in about charging.

Yes. All our pitches are slightly sloping, so please bring levellers, and we recommend chocks for campervans and motorhomes.

Free WiFi is available in the Waterfront Café and the Boat House, but not on the campsite itself.

Music may be played quietly until 10pm. After that we ask for all music to be turned off, as we operate a strict no-noise policy for the comfort of other families.

We have a 96 hour cancellation period. If you give us more than 96 hours' notice we will keep your payment in credit for you to rebook a later date, subject to availability, or you can take a 50% refund of the full amount. Cancellations within 96 hours are not refunded. To cancel or amend a camping booking, email camping@bewlwater.co.uk.