Sadly, in the UK, you don’t have the automatic right to paddle on any lake, river or canal. Luckily, there are still plenty of options up and down the country for aspiring adventurers. Check out the British Canoeing website for places to paddle, official canoe trails and information on river licences or passes.
If you don’t want to go out and buy all the kit before having a go, find your local canoe club and drop them a message. Most have a beginners' class you can sign up to, while others hold open days or drop-in sessions to let you have a go. These are usually run by experienced paddlers or coaches who can help you get started. But if you have invested in your own kit, check out these top three destinations to get out on the water...
This 29km trip follows a beautiful meandering waterway from the heart of historic Tonbridge in the Weald of Kent. We’d recommend starting at Tonbridge slipway (just by the castle). From here, turn left and follow the river through town and under the bridge. Stop for lunch about halfway at Oak Weir lock, about two hours' paddle downstream.
Along the route there are a number of locks, all of which have a platform to get your canoe out on, carry it around the lock (canoeists call this portaging) then put it back on the water below. But the best bit about the River Medway Canoe Trail, apart from the scenic views, is all the locks have a canoe pass. This means you don’t even need to carry your boat around the locks. You can take the slide around! None of these are difficult and as long as you remember just to point straight and keep padding you will stay upright. And don't worry if you do happen to fall out; it happens to all of us. Luckily, there is a large area just below to gather up your kit and get back in the boat.
Keep following the river until you reach Teapot Island at Yalding, which is roughly another two hours' paddle after your lunch stop. You will know you are there by the giant teapot on your right as you come to a sharp left bend in the river. If you get the chance, do pop in to enjoy a cup of tea and a look around the teapot museum (last time I went in, they had over 600 teapots on show!). You can then take a short walk up to Yalding station to get the train back to your car at Tonbridge. From here, it is a short drive back to Yalding to pick up all your kit.
Find all the details about the trail on the official website and download the free leaflet here.
Offering the peace and tranquility for which the Norfolk Broads is known, plus the opportunity to spot plenty of wildlife, this is a wonderfully relaxing trip for first-time paddlers. From where Norwich Road crosses the River Bure in Wroxham, you can launch at any of the boat hire slipways or from the Canoe Man HQ. Paddle north along the river, taking in the conservation areas right next to the river. A circular trip is possible from here; the Broads are flat and you won’t encounter any locks along the River Bure for quite a distance.
After 30 to 45 minutes, just below the church of St Mary the Virgin in Wroxham, there is a large grassy area and a few benches to enjoy a peaceful picnic. If you continue paddling along the river for another two hours or so, you'll reach The Rising Sun at Coltishall, a welcoming riverside pub with a great selection of food and drinks. Then take a relaxed paddle back to where you started, or grab a map of the local area and explore the Broads. With many slipways, boat yards and riverside pubs, you will be spoilt for choice.
This trip makes a great first canoeing and wild camping adventure, offering the chance to pitch up on an island in scenic Loch Ard. A large loch situated west of Aberfoyle, Loch Ard is quite sheltered and easy to access, which makes it perfect for beginners. I’d highly recommend the small island of Eilean Gorm for your first overnighter in a canoe, whether you choose to throw all your camping gear in the boat or use the bothy on the island (always a good back-up in bad weather). Eilean Gorm is around 200 metres from the shore, but you can explore the whole loch for the day, with numerous bays and scenic viewpoints to enjoy lunch before venturing on to the island to cook and set up camp for the night.
Remember that big expanses of water mean you are a lot more exposed to the effects of weather. This can mean battling strong winds, lashing rain and cold temperatures, which can cause all sorts of complications for anyone without experience. So, look at the weather forecast and pick the correct day before getting out there on the water and enjoying a night under canvas. If you plan to venture out into the middle of the loch, be sure you have practiced falling out of the boat, filling it with water then emptying it and getting back in, with all your camping kit, just in case the worse happens. If you are a complete novice, we’d recommend sticking to the shoreline and venturing across to the island.
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