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 Severn

The River Severn is a free nagivation from Pool Quay to Stourport, and a BWB controlled navigation (licence needed) from Stourport to Gloucester. The navigation offers 130 miles of canoe touring, mostly on grade I water, with some short sections of grade II. Touring on the Severn offers a combination of unspoilt 'wilderness' canoeing for much of its length, along with a number of places of interest en route.

Backwaters hire canoes and kayaks for groups undertaking extended tours on the river, starting at Pool Quay (the highest point on the navigation). Various launching and landing points are possible along the river, to create a trip to suit your needs.

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.

The following information may help you plan your itinerary. All distances are given by river from Pool Quay. It is recommended that you check with the camp site owners before setting off on your trip. Unless you are an experienced canoeist, we recommend that you do not attempt more than 10 - 15 miles per day.

Key to Table:

NB - the information has been collected to aid our clients in planning a tour on the Severn. 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.

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.

Ordnance Survey maps covering the River Severn (there may be some overlap). Pool Quay to Cressage - sheet 126; Leighton to Coalport - sheet 127; Apley Forge to Grimley - Sheet 138; Worcester to Chaceley Stock - Sheet 150; Wainlode to Severn Road Bridge - Sheet 162

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. From Stourport, the Severn is a BWB managed navigation for which a 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 table is still under construction. Please bear with us!

Pool Quay

This is the highest point on the navigation, with access for year-round paddling.

Drop-off point.

Pub - Powis Arms

Llandrinio Bridge

8.25 miles.

Haimwood from the river.

Camping/B&B/Breakfast for campers. Haimwood Farm, Mr & Mrs Nixon 01691 830764.

Melverley

12.25 miles

Confluence with the Vyrnwy

St Peter's 15th Century Church, a short paddle up the Vyrnwy from the confluence with the Severn.

Vyrnwy confluence (River left) with the bridge at Crew Green in the distance

The Royal Hill.

14 miles.

Riverside Inn with Camping. Tel. 01743 741242

Montford Bridge. 22.5 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Car parking and camping. Inn. W.C.

Camp site. Severn House Tel. 01743 850229.

The Old Swan Inn.

Coton Hill.

32.5 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Frankwell, Shrewsbury.

34 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Launching/landing point.

Frankwell canoe landing, Shrewsbury.

Historic City. Hotels/B&B shops etc. Abbey.

Café. Footbridge to town centre.

 

TIC 01743 281200

Riverside Pub in Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Abbey from the River Severn

Shrewsbury Weir.

 

36 miles.

Approach to Shrewsbury weir

 

PORTAGE THIS WEIR

Uffington.

38.25 miles.

Inn

Cressage Bridge. 51 miles.

Village Inn.

Buildwas Bridge

56 miles

B&B Bridge House.

Tel. 01952 432105

Ironbridge.

58.25 miles.

The iron bridge in the distance, from the canoe launch point.

Historic Town. Youth Hostel. Hotels/B&B Pubs. W.C.

TIC. Tel 01952 432166

shops etc.

Jackfield Rapid. 58.5 miles.
Grade II-III+ rapids.

Inspect from LEFT

Coalport.

60.25 miles.

Pub

Bridgnorth.

67.25 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Launching/landing point.

Camp Site: The Old Vicarage. Tel. 01746 762301

Falcon Hotel (near to landing point) Tel. 01746 763134

Historic Town. Hotels/B&B Pubs. W.C. TIC. shops etc. Severn Valley Railway.

TIC Tel. 01746 763257

Quatford.

69.5 miles.

Pub.

Hampton Loade.

72.75 miles.

Camping. B&B at The Unicorn Inn, Tel. 01746 861515

Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816.

Highley.

75.5 miles.

Inn.

Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816.

Arley.

77.75 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point .

Inns. Severn Valley Railway.

Inn.

Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816.

Bewdley Bridge. 81.5 miles.

Launching/landing point.

*Pick-up / Drop-off point beyond town.

BEWARE POWERED CRAFT BEYOND THIS POINT

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

 

TIC Tel 01299 404740

Stourport.

85.5 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point..

Start of British Waterways Navigation (fee payable)

 

Regulations apply for use of locks and weirs. Check before paddling. Large parties inform the lock keeper.

Historic Town. B&B's Hotels. Car park. Pubs. Shops. Café

Lincomb Lock.

87 miles.

Lock keeper tel. 01299 822887

Inn

Holt Lock.

91.25 miles.

Lock keeper tel. 01905 620218

Inns.

Camping.

Bevere Lock.

94.75 miles.

Lock keeper tel. 01905 640275

Inn

Worcester

Diglis Lock

98.25 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Launching/landing point.

Lock keeper tel. 01905 354280

Historic City. Hotels/B&B shops etc. Abbey.

Camping.

 

TIC Tel. 01905 726311

Upton on Severn

109.25 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Launching/landing point.

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

TIC Tel. 01684 594200

Tewkesbury

115 miles.

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Confluence with River Avon

Launching/landing point (on Avon).

Confluence with River Avon

NB - beyond here the river is tidal.

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

 

TIC Tel. 01684 295027

Upper Lode Lock

116 miles.

Lock keeper tel. 01684 293138

Lower Lode

116.75 miles.

Launching/landing point (fee)

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

Apperley

116.75 miles.

Inn

Haw Bridge

121.5 miles.

Inns

Upper Parting

127 miles.

Take the left arm to reach Gloucester.

Gloucester

129.75 miles.

Pick-up point.

Launching/landing point.

Lock Keeper 01452 318000

Historic City.

Hotels/B&B shops etc. Cathedral.

Camping.

TIC Tel. 01452 421188

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 Wye

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.