Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre

Experience the thrill of paddle-sport adventures along the enchanting banks of the River Soar in Leicester with LOPC.

Great place for Large Groups

Set in 15 Acres on the edge of the city, this rural oasis boasts an extensive array of paddle equipment, from sleek Kayaks, Stand-up Paddle-boards and Canoes to adventurous raft-building opportunities.

Let our expert staff lead you through an exhilarating journey, offering a diverse range of courses on site. We can provide aquatic first aid, safeguarding updates, and certifications for Paddle-Sport Rescue Training, Bell-boat Helm, Paddle-sport Instructor or Paddle-sport Leader .

Whether you're a novice seeking excitement or a seasoned enthusiast, an individual or part of a group, there's something for everyone at our dynamic Centre..... Dive in and discover the excitement today, where the adventure is not just limited to the water!

Embark on an adrenaline-fueled adventure with our thrilling high ropes activities, including heart-pounding climbs and exhilarating abseils! But that's just the beginning of the excitement. Test your precision and focus with target sports like archery, air rifles, and the daring art of axe throwing.

For those who crave the ultimate outdoor challenge, delve into the wild with our camp-bushcraft-skills, mastering survival techniques in the heart of nature.

If water is your heart is, there are a wide range of Paddle-Sport Activities based from the banks of the River Soar in Leicester.

The Centre have staff who are able to deliver a wide range of Courses including:

#Aquatic 1st Aid, #Safe-guarding updates, #Bell-boat Helm, #PSSR, #Paddle-sport Leader,

#Paddle-sport Instructor, #Core Coach, #SUP Instructor, #Sheltered Water SUP Award #Start, Discover Explore Awards, #White Water Award.

Discover Waterways in this Area

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…

Grand Union Canal Harborough Branch

The Harborough Branch, or Market Harborough Branch, runs from the Leicester Arm at Rainbow Bridge, into Union Wharf on the outskirts of Market Harborough. There are no locks on this stretch but plenty of bridges. These include a swing bridge which can be paddled under or portaged depending on your…

Grand Union Canal Leicester Arm

The Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal is one of the longer arms or branches of the canal. The river Soar flows into the Leicester Arm just above the city of Leicester. The canal then continues through the very heart of the city, flowing through sprawling countryside with a…

Grantham Canal

The Grantham canal is under reconstruction. Nature has reclaimed most of it rendering much of the original route unpaddleable. The Canal & River Trust is currently working on restoring parts of the waterway.

Grand Union Canal Loughborough Navigation

As the name suggests, the Grand Union Canal Loughborough Navigation forms part of the Grand Union Canal at Loughborough. Just above North Lock at Leicester, the Grand Union Canal becomes the River Soar. The Soar flows from the River Trent at Trent Lock and flows through the city of Loughborough.…

Ashby Canal

The Ashby Canal, (or Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal officially, despite never quite reaching the town) is a canal that keeps on giving in terms of flora, fauna and history! Along it’s 22 mile stretch there are no locks, which means no portages along this beautiful stretch either… another win.  So what makes…

River Trent

Grade: 1 (up to 2 in parts in high waters) Distance: 94.8 miles The 3rd longest river in the UK at 185 miles long, the River Trent is one of the major rivers in the Midlands. The river rises in the Staffordshire moors and flows through much of the midlands…

Grand Union Canal Welford Arm

The Grand Union Canal Welford Arm is relatively short with just one lock. This is from Welford Junction on the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union Canal, to a small marina at Welford. Here you can find a variety of amenities. These include a lovely little country pub and separate…

Erewash Canal

The Erewash canal is a great way to explore the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire countryside in a unique way. As you paddle along you will glide right through the heart of the DH Lawrence countryside. You paddle through a range of habitats perfect for nature lovers. The canal begins in Langley…

Trent and Mersey Canal

The Trent and Mersey canal is one of the longest canals in the country. Stretching 93 miles from Cheshire, through Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it’s a stretch that can be paddled from many different access points. There’s something for everyone along the Trent and Mersey canal. And, like many of the…

River Derwent in Derbyshire

Grade: 1-3 The River Derwent in Derbyshire is a beautifully scenic river cutting right through the heart of the Peak District. It drops down through the World Heritage site of the Derwent Valley, through Matlock and Cromford. From here it flows through to Derby before joining the River Trent further…

Coventry Canal

Running for 38 miles in the West Midlands, the Coventry Canal is one of the great survivors of the canal network. After heavy bombing during the blitz, it almost didn’t survive. In fact, if it wasn’t for a group of hard working volunteers, the canal would have been lost  years…

Nottingham and Beeston Canal

The Nottingham and Beeston Canal is a relatively short paddle at just 2.5 miles long with 3 locks. The canal flows straight through the city of Nottingham, directly under the towering, old British Waterways building, past the court system and past the very popular waterfront venue where you’ll notice hundreds…

Oxford Canal

Meandering through the countryside, the Oxford Canal is a great way of seeing the Oxfordshire countryside. You’ll paddle through pretty little chocolate box villages including Thrupp, Cropredy and Aynhu over the 75 mile stretch of canal with 46 locks. The canal begins in the very centre of Oxford, treating you…

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