River Wear

Distance: 60 miles Known for providing the spectacular views of Durham Castle, the River Wear is also a well loved paddling spot! With various spots to suit different styles of paddling, there's something for everyone on the River Wear. Meandering right through the heart of historic Durham, the River Wear…

New Bedford River

Distance: 20.8 miles The 21-mile New Bedford River is a man-made by-pass of the River Great Ouse at the Fens in Cambridgeshire. It is a tidal stretch of river. You may also know it as the Hundred Foot Drain. This is because of the distance between the tops of the…

Old Bedford River

Like the New Bedford River, the Old Bedford River is a relatively new navigation. It was designed to by-pass the River Great Ouse at the Fens in Cambridgeshire. The river is named after the fourth Earl of Bedford. Like its newer namesake, it is a relatively straight paddle, straight through…

River Aire

The River Aire is a major river in Yorkshire. Further past Leeds it actually becomes the Aire & Calder Navigation, another lovely spot to paddle. From start to finish the river measures 92 miles in length. Due to its meandering nature, it creates quite a fun paddle as you weave…

River Alde

Starting life as a stream and opening into a wide, tidal river when it reaches Snape, the River Alde in Suffolk is a river teeming with wildlife and unique history. Sometimes called the River Ore when it approaches Orford, there are several features to be aware of on the river.…

River Ancholme

Although you won’t find much in the way of white water on the River Ancholme, what it lacks in terms of white water fun it more than makes up for in terms of history and the chance to trace the course of our ancestors. Navigating water where they would have…

River Bain

Grade: 1-3 Described as England’s shortest river at just 2.5km in length, the River Bain is a popular spot for those looking to start out on some white water. The river is classed as grade 0 at the top, meaning it is a flat paddle to start out. However by…

River Barle

Grade: 2-3 The River Barle, and the valley it runs through, are designated biological sites of scientific interest. The pretty, mainly grade 2 classified river, flows through several beautiful areas with rare plants and kingfishers. There are several sections to note on the river. The sections of the River Barle…

River Beaulieu

French for ‘beautiful place,’ the 12-mile River Beaulieu is a small river that flows through the New Forest in Hampshire. The most popular section with paddlers is the 4-mile tidal stretch between Bucklers Hard and the Solent. Once a significant shipbuilding centre, Bucklers Hard’s most notable build was Nelson’s ship…

River Bure

Linking several of the popular Norfolk Broads, the River Bure is a popular spot for paddlers. Flowing from Aylsham for 32 miles before it reaches the North Sea at Gorleston, the river flows through Wroxham and Horning. It then flows past the pretty St Benet’s Abbey and along the popular…

River Cherwell

Rising in Northamptonshire and flowing through the pretty Oxfordshire countryside, the River Cherwell is a gem in the crown of rural England. This pretty, slow flowing, tree lined river stretches for 40 miles all the way to Oxford where it joins the river Thames. It is suitable for paddlers looking…

River Cam

Measuring 43 miles in length, the River Cam is a beautiful paddle on a sunny day. The River Cam is one of Cambridge’s most popular features with tourists and residents alike. On a hot sunny day you will often see swathes of ‘punt’ boats occupying the river. As you paddle…

River Chet

Located in the Norfolk Broads, the River Chet is a beautiful paddle for anyone looking to explore. The Chet is only a few miles long, and is located to the south of Norfolk. Rising in Poringland it flows east towards Loddon and emptying into the River Yare. A pretty river…

River Dart

Grade: 2-4+ The upper sections of the River Dart offer some of the best white water canoeing in the country. The Dart is also a great place for flat water touring, especially the lower reaches. Banks of ancient woodland cover the lower stretches. The river becomes tidal at Totnes before…

River Deben

The River Deben is a popular river with recreational paddlers in Suffolk, and for good reason. It has a lot to offer those looking for a gentle paddle in the area. It stretches for 33 miles from Debenham to Woodbridge before turning tidal. The Deben empties into the North Sea…

River Dee

The River Dee is a well known among white water paddlers, with exciting features such as the serpents tail and horseshoe falls. This 68-mile long river is mainly considered a Welsh river. However, there are stretches of it that cross into England. It begins its life in the mountains of…

River Don

Grade: 1-3 A popular river in Yorkshire, the River Don has much to offer recreational paddlers and white water lovers. Parts of the river are flat, some parts steady grade 1’s and other sections grade 2-3+. It’s a 70 mile stretch that has something to offer whatever you fancy. The…

River Ant

A beautiful river for a spot of paddling, the River Ant is a 17 mile long stretch of serene waters. Formerly known as the River Smale, the River Ant has been in use from as far up as Antingham Bone Mill since the early 1800’s. The canal, which stretched from…

River Erme

Grade: 2+ to 4+ Upper section to Harford Bridge is Grade 3+ (4).  Harford Bridge to Ivybridge is Grade 4/4+. Ivybridge to Ermington is Grade 2+. A river in south Devon, the River Erme is an ‘all rounder’ river. It has different sections offering different things to paddlers who wish…

River Little Ouse

Another of the Ouses, The River Little Ouse is a tributary of the Great Ouse in the East of England, rising in Thelnetham on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, it pretty much traces the border all the way until it joins the Great Ouse at Brandon Creek, Littleport. The river stretches for…

River Lugg

Rising in Llangynllo, Powys and flowing through the border town of Presteigne, the River Lugg is a popular river with paddlers. With its many weirs, grade 1 white water sections, pretty bridges and river banks, it has something for every paddler. From Presteigne, the river crosses the border into England.…

River Wansbeck

Grade: 2 The River Wansbeck is a river in Northumberland which rises on the edge of the Forelaws Forest. It then runs all the way through to the North Sea at Sandy Bay near Newbiggin-by-the-sea. It's a relatively short river but is packed full of varying scenery. You can enjoy…

River Exe

Grade: 1-2 with numerous weirs On the River Exe note the large weirs between Bickleigh Bridge and Haven Banks Quay. Rising near Simonsbath on Exmoor in Somerset, the River Exe is a beautiful paddle through largely untouched countryside. Flowing south from the source for around 60 miles, the river reaches…

River Glen

The River Glen is a river located in Lincolnshire which runs from Ropsley, Lincolnshire, to the River Welland just below Spalding where it then flows into the Wash. The river is navigable for 11.5 miles, with the first 8.9 mile section from source to Guthram Gowt forming part of the…

River Idle

The River Idle is a river in Nottinghamshire. It is formed where the River Maun meets to River Meden at Markham Moor. It then flows through Retford and Bawtry before entering the River Trent. It is navigable from Bawtry Bridge in Bawtry to Stockwith, where it connects with the tidal…

River Lark

Crossing the border between Sussex and Cambridgeshire, the River Lark is a tributary of the River Great Ouse. It rises near Bury St Edmunds and joins the Great Ouse south of Littleport. It's 31 miles long, and has been used as a navigation since Roman times. Paddle the River Lark…

River Lee Navigation / River Lea

Dating back to Roman times, the River Lea is one of the biggest rivers in London. Rising in the Chiltern Hills, it flows southeast through London before entering the Thames in London’s East End. Much of the River Lea is now canalised and known as the River Lee Navigation. This…

River Medway

The River Medway is a major river in the South East of England in the county of Kent. Stretching from High Weald in Sussex, through Tonbridge and Maidstone, the river ends where it meets the Thames estuary near Sheerness. It is an ideal touring adventure. Great for recreational users and those…

River Nene

Pronounced ‘Nen’ or ‘Nin’ depending where you’re from, the River Nene is a large river in the Centre/East of England. From source to sea, the river measures around 100 miles, and is the 10th longest river in the UK. Rising in Northamptonshire and flowing North East to the Wash at…

River Orwell

The River Orwell flows through Suffolk and is generally a river for those looking to practice paddling on slightly more exposed water. Its source is the River Gipping, and it flows from just above Ipswich towards the North Sea at Felixstowe. The Orwell is popular with sailing clubs due to…

River Ouse in Yorkshire

The River Ouse in Yorkshire is really a continuation of the River Ure. The Ure becomes the Ouse near Linton where it continues to flow through York. It then continues through Selby and Goole before joining the River Trent at Trent Falls. Here it forms part of the Humber Estuary.…

River Severn

Distance: 220 miles The longest river in Great Britain, the River Severn flows for 220 miles from source to mouth. It's a popular spot for paddlers looking for multi-day trips or long touring adventures. As well as being Britain's longest river, it also has one the largest tides in the…

River Soar

The 24-mile River Soar, or Soar Navigation, flows and weaves its way through the Leicestershire countryside. It provides a lovely day paddle for those who love to just get out on the water. Although the river does flow through Leicester itself, most of the river is actually through the countryside…

River Stort

The River Stort in South East England runs for 24 miles through Essex and Hertfordshire. This lush, green, slow flowing river is perfect for a peaceful paddle. You'll find it's the perfect place for a real life escape to the country. It flows from just south of the village of…

River Stour in Suffolk

A river in East Anglia, the River Stour in Suffolk measures 47 miles long and is one of the more picturesque rivers in the region. It has been the subject of many painters over the years. These have included Thomas Gainborough, Alfred Munnings and Paul Nash. Probably the most noteworthy…

River Tamar

Grade: 2 There are two grade 2 sections: From Greystone Bridge to Horsebridge and from Horsebridge to Gunnislake.  The River Tamar for most part forms part of the border between Devon and Cornwall in the South West of England. It flows for 61 miles from Woolley Moor, Morwenston through to…

River Tees

Grade: 2-6 The most notable section is the waterfall at Cauldron Snout. This is grade 5+/6.  The rest of the sections of the tees range from grade 2-3 with some grade 4 in high waters.  A river in the North of England, the River Tees rises in the North Pennines.…

River Thurne

A beautiful river on the Norfolk Broads, the River Thurne is 7 miles long. It connects several broads to the main ‘network’ making it a great river for a full day of exploring. The river is managed by the Broads Authority, which is included in British Canoeing membership. However if…

River Tweed

The River Tweed, named after its association with Tweed cloth, is a river that crosses the border between Scotland and England. The river is popular with fisherman due to its salmon-rich waters. If you’re looking for a dramatic countryside paddle, the Tweed can certainly deliver. Sections of the river carve…

River Ure

Grade: 1-5 The most notable section is the Grade 5 rapids at Aysgarth Falls. From here to Wensley Bridge can reach Grade 4 in high waters, but otherwise the rest of the river is a lovely Grade 2-3. For the Grade 1 sections head to the wider parts of the…

River Waveney

The River Waveney forms the border between Suffolk and Norfolk for much of its length. Mainly a river which runs through the Norfolk Broads, it measures 59 miles long. It's a popular spot for paddlers all year round, with so much wildlife to offer. It rises near Redgrave in Suffolk…

River Weaver

A river in the north west of England, the River Weaver runs for 20 miles from Winsford to Weston Point near Runcorn. It's a beautiful spot to paddle as the seasons change, with tree lined banks turning a whole host of colours through the seasons. The original river has been…

River Ore

The River Ore is the name given to the final 7 miles of the River Alde in Suffolk, as it approaches Orford, before it joins the North Sea. It is a relatively short river to paddle. But, there is an abundance of things to see along this stretch of river.…

River Welland

The River Welland is a pretty, lowland river flowing through Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and eventually Lincolnshire. This 65-mile river also flows through the towns of Stamford, Spalding and Market Harborough. It's a very picturesque place for a paddle, with much of the river hugged by lush green banks and hedgerows.…

River Wensum

The River Wensum is a chalk river in Norfolk which is classed as a conservation area. Many sections are also listed as sites of special scientific interest. A tributary of the River Yare, the Wensum is the main river which the city of Norwich was built on. As such, it…

River Wissey

Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, the River Wissey is a picturesque paddle through the Norfolk fens. It rises in Bradenham and flowing almost 31 miles to join the River Great Ouse at Fordham. The Wissey has plenty to offer recreational paddlers looking for a fun day on the…

River Witham

The River Witham in Lincolnshire is a pretty, flat, rural paddle. It is 36 miles long in total with 5 locks. With little portages it makes a great touring paddle route! The Fossdyke Canal flows into the River Witham at Lincoln before continuing into Boston. From here it flows east…

River Wye

Distance: 155 miles The River Wye is the fifth longest river in Britain. It winds its way from the Welsh mountains to join the River Severn at Chepstow. For much of its length it cleaves a gentle split between England and Wales. The Wye is one of the finest lowland…

River Torridge

Grade: 1/2 with weirs A river running right through rural Devon, the River Torridge flows through steep wooded banks and lush Devon countryside. The 58 mile long River Torridge flows from Higher Clovelly through to the north of Bideford. Here it washes into the Bristol Channel. A beautiful spot for…