the times Saturday April 9 20224Weekend
around Westwick Lock and island, all
the way to Newby Hall, where the grand
gardens can be seen from the river. Or
head downstream: next stop York.
How to get there Find the riverside
parking just off the B6265 roundabout
in the centre of Boroughbridge, then
launch above the weir.
Google Maps 54.09839, -1.39900River Stour at Dedham
Essex-Suffolk border
Two hundred years after Constable
painted it, Willy Lott’s cottage still sits
pretty by the banks of the pastoral Stour,
the spire of Dedham church rising
above the meadows and ancient willows
flanking the banks. The horse-drawn hay
wain may no longer trundle across the
river’s millstream, but there is plenty of
history and calm in this little vale.
How to get there Rent a wooden
canoe from Dedham Bridge or launch
from the roadside car park (B1029) justSeven Sisters car park on the A259,
embark on a round-trip to Alfriston
returning to Cuckmere on the outgoing
tide. The area is great for watching birds
and butterflies. Cuckmere is the place to
end your trip, especially if you return at
sunset. The ideal time to go upriver is
2-4 hours after low tide, and the best
time to go towards the sea to do the
return leg is 2-4 hours after high tide.
How to get there Enter the water by the
Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club or
the steps near the Cuckmere Inn pub.
Google maps 50.774478, 0.152192Loch Maree Highland
With Slioch mountain rising in the
background and an archipelago of sandy
coves and Scots pine, this is one of the
most beautiful of Scottish paddling
experiences. Well sheltered from the
worst of the westerly weather, it’s good
for wild camping.
How to get there Launch from the Loch
Maree Hotel ( just ask permission when
you arrive, and where the ducks’
breeding sites are).
Google Maps 57.67546, -5.49812Medway Canoe Trail
River Medway, Kent
Following 29km of meandering Kentish
waterways, the Medway Canoe Trail
begins in Tonbridge Castle and ends at
Allington Lock, near Maidstone. The
river is bordered by meadows, with
rushes and wildflowers. There are a
number of launch points and campsites
along the route.
How to get there At Lower Castle
Field in Tonbridge, access to the
slipway is at the far end of the car park.
Google maps 51.19659, 0.27014Jubilee River at
Maidenhead Berkshire
Constructed to protect the area around
Windsor from flooding, this gently
flowing river and the surrounding area
have been transformed into a colourful
nature reserve. The riverbank above
Marsh Lane Weir is a popular entry
point for paddleboarders and swimmers.
Explore upstream or downstream to
find more small beaches.
How to get there Park at Marsh Lane
car park, SL6 0DH, then follow
riverside path upstream for 75m to find
a spot to enter the water.
Google maps 51.5144, -0.6848River Avon at Hanham
Bristol
Hanham Weir is a pretty place to enter
the River Avon, with weeping willows
and riverside dining at the Chequers Inn.
Paddle upstream and back for about two
miles round a big meander to Keynsham
Weir, a route mostly lined by trees and
fields. For an easy run check tide times
(the ideal time to go upriver is 2-4 hours
after low tide, and the best time to go
towards the sea is 2-4 hours after high
tide) — however the water is usually flat
and makes a nice gentle paddle. For the
cleanest water quality, aim to do this
route when there hasn’t been heavy rain.
How to get there Enter the river on
the slipway. Park at the Chequers Inn if
you’re a customer, or on Ferry Road.
Google maps 51.428002, -2.507731below the weir. Flatford Mill is 1½ miles
downstream.
Google Maps 51.96229, 0.99409Albany Reach Hampton
Court, Richmond upon
Thames
This quiet riverside beach and meadow
overlooking Hampton Court Palace is
considered to be one of the finest
places on the Thames to paddleboard.
Round trips upstream to Sunbury or
downstream to Kingston take about
three hours. For a well-earned lunch,
stop at the Boaters Inn near Kingston.
How to get there Park where you can on
surrounding streets.
Google Maps 51.3985, -0.3365Cuckmere Haven
Heathfield, East Sussex
The River Cuckmere provides a great
paddle from source to sea. From theMonmouth to Redbrook
River Wye
Paddleboarding is a fantastic way to
explore the lower Wye Valley. This is
a quiet stretch of the river, and you get
to finish at the pub in Redbrook —
check out the Boat Inn or Bell Inn.
Redbrook is about three miles from
Monmouth and the last stop before the
river becomes tidal at Whitebrook.
How to get there Enter the river near
the steps just downstream of Monmouth
Rowing Club. Exit on the right near the
footbridge in Redbrook.
Google Maps 51.8127, -2.7084
Sutton Wharf
Ashby de la Zouch Canal,
Leicestershire
This exotically named waterway winds
its way through open countryside under
big skies, passing weeping willows and
pretty picnic spots. There’s a good
chance of seeing kingfishers, herons and
moorhens. It’s famous for having no
locks, making it perfect for first-time
paddleboarders.
How to get there Sutton Wharf,
between Dadlington and Sutton Cheney,
is a great starting point and has an
excellent café.
Google Maps 52.59063, -1.39489
Bantham Estuary
River Avon, Devon
With Burgh Island just offshore and
wide expanses of rippled white sands,
this is one of the most scenic estuaries
in England. The launch point for getting
into the water is the chocolate-box
boathouse, Ham Cottage, set on a swirl
of the river as it approaches the sea.
There’s a fun downstream “swoosh”
current here during the outgoing tide if
you like a thrill, or alternatively ride the
tide upstream all the way to Aveton
Gifford, about three miles.
How to get there There’s a car park at
Bantham Sands near Kingsbridge. From
there bear right 200m over the headland
and descend to the boathouse beach.
Google Maps 50.27989, -3.87592
Loch Ken and the
River Dee
Dumfries and Galloway
This is a paradise of sheltered flat water
and little-known shores, and you may
see otters and red kites here. It’s perfect
for wild camping, with 30 miles of
remote shores, or there’s a lakeside
campsite halfway down. Hire
paddleboards at the Galloway Activity
Centre or join an organised lesson.
How to get there Start from the car park
on A713 by the old railway viaduct, next
to the campsite at the Loch Ken Holiday
Park.
Google Maps 55.01049, -4.05789
River Ure at
Boroughbridge
North Yorkshire
The River Ure, which flows through
Wensleydale, has slowed and calmed by
the time it reaches the Vale of York.
From Boroughbridge head upstream
four miles through open countryside,
12 great spots to paddleboard now
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Fl f dMilli 1½miles rGETTY IMAGES; ALAMYThe River Avon, Devon The River Wye, MonmouthYou need a licence,
which costs £45 a
year, to canoe or
paddleboard on most
rivers and canals in
England and Wales,
(britishcanoeing.org.uk)