A NEW activity lake is to be developed in the Mendip Hills.

Mendip Adventure, which runs the Mendip Activity Centre, has secured planning permission for the new attraction on part of its 250-acre site in the Mendip Hills National Landscape.

Chiefs at the site, near Churchill, in North Somerset, have hailed the initiative “one of the most significant developments in our organisation’s 40-year history”, and a “transformational step forward for our guests, our community, and our mission to inspire everyone, everywhere to make time for adventure”.

The purpose-built lake aims to introduce non-motorised water sports to the Mendip Hills, offering a “safe and accessible venue for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, raft building and open water swimming”.

It will offer thousands of young people – from schools to youth groups – the chance to develop confidence, learn new skills and deepen their connection to nature, the group said.

“This is a landmark moment for Mendip Adventure,” said CEO of Mendip Adventure, David Eddins.

“For nearly 40 years, we’ve worked to make outdoor adventure accessible to everyone, and this new lake takes that mission to an entirely new level.

“This sensitively designed lake will make water sports accessible to all whilst creating new habitats that enhance the biodiversity of our site.

“It’s an exciting step forward. This lake will play a key role in the future of adventure, education and conservation in the Mendip Hills.”

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