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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
Located on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, the River Spey is one of the longest rivers in the UK. The Spey is also classed as the fastest flowing river in Scotland over its entire length, with a constant fast flow and some sections up to grade 3. Paddlers…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Distance: 215 miles Arguably the most famous river in England, the River Thames has played a vital part in the development of London as a capital city since Roman times. Measuring 215 mile long it is officially the longest river in England (that doesn’t cross country borders). The Thames is…
The River Avon in Bristol, or Bristol Avon as it is also known, rises in South Gloucestershire. It then flows through Wiltshire, to Bath and the Severn Estuary. Although the river is only 13 miles from source to mouth, the river length is actually closer to 75 miles. Being wide…
The River Brue begins life in Brewham, Somerset and flows into the sea at Burnham-on-Sea, stretching for some 31 miles. It's a pretty little river with a slow flow, ideal for those looking to explore at a steady pace. Points of interest on the River Brue There are several points…
Rising on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, the River Taf flows south straight into Cardiff Bay. There are quite a few sections of rapids along the river. Be sure to check river levels before heading out as certain stretches can be susceptible to faster rapids in high…
The River Yare is probably not one you’ve heard of unless you holiday regularly along the Norfolk Broads. This picturesque river rises in Dereham and flows towards Great Yarmouth before entering the North Sea. It boasts a wealth of wildlife and scenery from wherever you paddle it. The Yare is…
A principal river of the Peak District National Park, the River Dove is probably most famous for the stepping stones across it at Dovedale. This 45-mile stretch of river actually offers much more than stepping stones and a great view of Thorpe Cloud. Rising in the moors near Buxton, the…
Grade: 3-5 The Upper River Duddon is the highest graded section ranging from Grade 4 to 5 in high water. The middle and lower sections are generally considered Grade 3. A popular river with white water lovers, the Duddon can be found in the Lake District National Park. There are…
Grade: 2-5 Note the River Eden section from Hellgill, which is as high as Grade 5 in high water but normally Grade 4. The rest of the Eden is generally Grade 2-3. The Eden is a popular, fast flowing river, well known within the river running and white water fraternity.…
Grade: 3 (4) The River Greta so impressed the poet Wordsworth he wrote a sonnet about it in 1823. It is a beautiful paddle through Cumbria but please note, restrictions are in place to protect the very special environmental qualities of the river. Classed as a Special Area of Conservation…
A simply stunning river in Hampshire, the River Itchen is a chalk stream river with plenty to offer in terms of history and wildlife. Only around 200 chalk streams are known globally, and 85% of these are found in the UK. They are a rare and delicate habitat, home to…
Grade: 1-4 plus weirs The River Kent section from Scroggs Bridge to Burneside is Grade 2/3 (4) plus weirs. From Burneside to Kendal is Grade 1-2 (take note of Gooseholme Weir). From Scroggs Weir to Sedgwick Bridge is Grade 4. Popular with white water paddlers, the River Kent in Cumbria…
What an unusual name for a river, you might think. Well, the River Mole gets its name from the latin word ‘mola’, meaning mill. This river was once a popular route connecting many working mills back in the day. The oldest mill, Sidlow Mill, dates back to Saxon times! The…
The River Parrett is a river in the South West of England, flowing through Dorset and Somerset. It rises in the hills around Chedington in Dorset, before flowing North West. It continues on from here to Burnham-on-Sea before flowing into Bridgwater Bay Nature Reserve and into the Bristol Channel. The…
The River Stour in Kent is a river in the South East of England. Rising in the Kent countryside it flows east towards the sea, meandering in parts. It then enters the North Sea at Pegwell Bay, a stunning shingle beach with marshland and white cliffs lining breaking the skyline.…
A river in Somerset, the River Tone runs for 21 miles through beautiful countryside. It rises in the Brendon Hills and flows through to Clatworthy Reservoir. From here it flows through Taunton and sprawling countryside. The river ends when it flows into the River Parrett at Burrowbridge. The river was…
Measuring 87 miles, the River Wey is a river in the South East of England. It forms where two streams join near Guildford, forming the Wey. It then meanders north and joins the River Thames at Weybridge. A superb river if you're looking for a picturesque paddle, the Wey has…
Distance: 85 miles One of the major tributaries of the River Severn, the River Avon (Warwickshire) is located in central England. Also known as the Warwickshire Avon or Shakespheare’s Avon, this 85 mile long river has a lot to offer the recreational paddler. It's a great river for a multi-day…
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…
The River Derwent in Yorkshire is a 71 mile long river popular with touring and white water paddlers. It rises in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, which is an incredible moorland with dense heathland and heather. There are several nature reserves along the river and as you paddle along,…
The River Axe is river which runs through Dorset, Somerset and Devon. It rises in Dorset near Beaminster before flowing west. It then flows south by Axminster where it joins the English Channel at Axemouth. The 22-mile river is thought to get its name from the Latin take on the…
Flowing through East Sussex, the River Cuckmere provides a gentle paddle from source to sea. Rising near Heathfield in East Sussex, it reaches the English Channel at Cuckmere Haven. There are several reasons why you might head to the River Cuckmere for a gentle afternoon paddle. The river meanders through…
Grade: 2-3 (up to 4 in high water) Rising in the North Yorkshire moors and flowing east towards the North Sea at Whitby, the River Esk is a 28 mile long river in Yorkshire. It's the only river to flow east in Yorkshire. And, interestingly, the only river to not…
The River Kennet is a river in the south of England and one of the many tributaries of the River Thames. The Kennet is a river popular with people practising their white water skills. It has good ‘starter’ playspots and small rapids along the route. Notably, Newbury is a good…
Grade: 2-3 (4) The River Lune section from Tebay to Rawthey Confluence is Grade 3 but can reach Grade 4 in high waters. The rest of the river is Grade 2 with the Grade 3 rapids at Halton Rapids. The 52-mile River Lune is a popular river in the North…
Grade: Ranges from 3 - 5 The River East Lyn section from Malmsmean to Brendon is Grade 3. The sections from Brendon to Watersmeet and Watersmeet to the sea is Grade 4 - 5. The River East Lyn is a popular paddling spot for white water paddlers running through Exmoor…
We all know you can get a ferry across the River Mersey, thanks to the 1965 classic, but you can also paddle it. The Mersey is an iconic river in the North West, and one of Liverpool's pride and joys. It is 70 miles long, rising in West Yorkshire and…
The River Ouse in Sussex rises in Lower Beeding, West Sussex and empties into the English Channel at Newhaven in East Sussex. It’s a pretty, picturesque river with several designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) along the length of it. Interestingly, the river can be walked for almost its…
