Take a gentle paddle through four of Liverpool’s historic docks with the city’s famous skyline in full view. Despite the busyness of one of England’s biggest cities, it is a surprisingly peaceful experience. (Waterways licence required. Find out more).
Distance: 4.2km
Time: 1-2 hours
Sat Nav: L3 4DG
What3Words: ///outer.linked.gladiators
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We started our trip at Liverpool Watersports Centre, in Queens Dock, off Mariners Wharf.
We paid £9 per person to launch our own craft. This includes parking, a changing room with hot showers and lockers.
It costs an adult £15 (children £10) to hire a paddleboard, or a sit on top kayak.
Alternatively, you can launch for free from Coburg Dock (///stud.mops.toned).
However, you must have a waterways licence to explore all of the docks, which are managed by the Canal and River Trust.
A Paddle UK membership will cover you to do this.
They are based at Collingwood Dock (///sketch.asking.rapid) further north near the River Mersey.
The club runs taster sessions that cost £5 per session.
After launching, we took a left and paddled through Queens Dock.
Moon jellyfish can be seen in the water, but don’t worry they don’t sting humans.
They are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, and the docks have been recognised for their good water quality.
The Port of Liverpool was the world’s busiest port during the 19th century, and you see lots of reminders of this time.
King’s Dock was an entrance to the River Mersey, and part of the port.
It was connected to Queens Dock and Wapping Dock, which we paddled into after going underneath Queen’s Wharf Bridge.
From Wapping Dock, you get a fantastic view of the Royal Liver Building with its 18ft high liver birds.
We continued under the Gower Street Bridge into Salthouse Dock.
We then took a left into the Royal Albert Dock Waterfront area with its renovated red-brick dock buildings houses museums, restaurants, cafes & bars.
After paddling around the dock we left under Hartley Bridge, which was busy with tourists.
We entered Canning Dock, and from there you get a closer view of the spectacular Museum of Liverpool.
You cannot go any further than Canning Dock so after paddling around it we went back the way we came.
On the way back, we entered Dukes Dock to see where Liverpool Canoe Club play canoe polo.
Afterwards we returned to Liverpool Watersports Centre had a hot shower, and headed out into the city for a cup of coffee and some food.
