Backwaters

Adventure Equipment Ltd

Whether you want to enjoy a peaceful day on the river with a waterside picnic, or spend a weekend or holiday exporing an area 'off the beaten track' moving between campsites or B&B's; canoe or kayak touring offers a peaceful and environmentally-friendly way to travel.  

Canoe Hire and Outfitting - River Avon

The River Avon (Shakespeare's Avon) flows from Stratford upon Avon through Worcestershire and Gloucestershire to it's confluence with the Severn at Tewkesbury. The river flows through some on England's most attractive countryside for much of its length, and abounds with places of historical interest en route.

Backwaters hire canoes and kayaks for groups undertaking extended tours on the river, starting at Tewkesbury for an 'upstream and return' trip. From May 2006 it will be possible to start at Stratford on Avon (the highest point on the present navigation).

Open Canoe Camping. If you want to undertake an extended canoe camping tour, we can supply your canoe with tent, stove/fuel, sleeping mat and bag, and waterproof containers to pack it all in.

NB - the information has been collected to aid our clients in planning a tour on the Avon. Information has been drawn from the operators and from other published sources. We cannot accept responsibility for eany errors and omissions, and recommend that you check details in advance. Note that many of the campsites are very basic, and some need advance booking.

Key to Table:

Pick-up / Drop-off point. - This is a point at which you may start or finish your journey. We will collect or deliver to these points.

Launching/Landing point - canoes may be launched or landed here. Unless stated, these are not pick-up/drop-off points.

Landing point - canoes may be landed here for access to facilities etc

Camping - camp-site beside or within reach of the river (unless otherwise stated).

Inn/Pub etc. Where these are listed, it is normally possible to land to visit the Inn.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANOEISTS

The river changes constantly and may rise rapidly in wet weather. Where rapids or weirs are marked, these are the particularly significant ones. There are numerous small rapids, weirs and other hazards along the route; you are advised to be sure of your ability before hiring canoes and/or kayaks, and to proceed on the river with due caution. Much of the river is remote and hire is completely unsupervised. You are responsible for your own safety on the river. If you are unsure of your ability, a River Awareness Day may be of interest to you. Other, larger, craft will be operating along the river. If you continue onto the Severn a BWB licence is needed. Canoeists should be aware of the Waterways Code. River levels can be obtained by telephoning the Environment Agency River Line 0906 619 7744.

This page is still under construction. Please bear with us!

Twyning on Avon

This is the lowest point at which we can drop-off and pick up on the Avon.

Drop-off point.

Riverside Inn - The Fleet Inn. B&B. 01684 274310

Tewkesbury

Confluence with River Severn

Launching/landing point.

Confluence with River Severn

NB - beyond here the river Severn is tidal.

Historic Town. B&B's Hotels. Car park (fee) Pubs. Shops. Cafés

TIC Tel. 01684 295027

Lower Lode

(River Severn)

Launching/landing point (fee)

Riverside Inn, B&B. camp site, Lower Lode Inn 01684 293224.

Fees:

Open Canoe. Full-day £35

Kayak Full-day £25

Minimum TOTAL booking £280. Minimum daily hire fee £140.

If you require a smaller booking (less canoes, less days etc) why not visit our alternative hire pages: River Wye Canoe Hire and Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal Canoe Hire.

Hire fees include paddles and buoyancy aids. Helmets available at no extra cost if required.

Waterproof Barrell for kit: £5 per hire.

Tent (2-person): £5 per day.

Stove with fuel/crockery/cooking pots etc for 2 people: £3.50 per day.

Other items, please ask for a quote.

NB - while kayaks may be hired on an extended basis, the camping equipment for one person will not fit easily into a kayak, and it is recommended that you include at least one open canoe in your party.

Canoe and Kayak Hire Gift Vouchers

Terms and Conditions of Hire

Types of Craft Available on the River Avon

Open Canoe. The open canoe is also ideal for those who want to stay dry, but it is a more versatile craft in many ways, and can be taken onto open and white-water with the correct training. With its large carrying capacity this is the craft for exploring well off the beaten track, or for family picnics.

Open Cockpit Kayak. This type of kayak is used for touring and is suitable for those who want to cover distances without going onto rough water. No capsize drill is needed, as in the event of a capsize you will fall safely out of the kayak. These are ideal for those who want to be ON the water, not in it.

Closed-Cockpit Kayak. These kayaks have relatively tight-fitting cockpits sealed with spraydecks to keep out the water, and are ideal for white-water or sea touring. To use one of these it is necessary to have practised the capsize drill, to exit the kayak safely underwater.

 

Canoe-hire and outfitting on the River Wye

Canoe-hire on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

Canoe-hire and outfitting on the River Severn

Canoe-hire and outfitting on the River Avon

Guided Touring by Canoe or Kayak

 Guided Canoe Camping Tour - River Wye

COURSES IN CANOEING AND KAYAKING

Guided Outdoor Activities:

Climbing/Abseiling; Gorge-walking; Caving; Wayfaring; Multi-activity.

Accommodation 

Our Environmental Policy

Backwaters

Adventure Equipment Ltd

Bookings - 07815 542775 - Enquiries

Booking Form

  

E-mail*:backwatershire@btconnect.com

*When communicating with us by email, please include daytime and evening telephone numbers wherever possible.

Admin Office (existing bookings only) 05600 751426  

The waterways on which we hire canoes and kayaks have an established public right of navigation. However, due to the unclear legal situation, on many rivers in England and Wales the right of canoeists and kayakers to navigate are challenged. Backwaters supports the Campaign for Land Reform in Wales - More information and petition to the Welsh Assembly Government

   

Backwaters is associated with Mountain & Water: Wales-wide Adventure Ltd.