BackwatersCanoe and Kayak Hire
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BackwatersCanoe and Kayak Hire |
Afon Hafren / The River Severn is a free nagivation from Pool Quay to Stourport, and a BWB controlled navigation (licence needed) from Stourport to Gloucester. The official navigation offers 130 miles of canoe touring, and considerable variety. Much of the river below Pool Quay is grade I water, with some short sections of grade II and one grade III section. Below Bewdley, powered craft operate and from Stourport the nature of the river has been altered by weirs with locks to enable navigation by larger craft. While much of Afon Hafren / the River Severn flows through unspoilt countryside, the river offers a number of historcial towns, such as Yr Amwythig - Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth and other 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 official navigation). Various launching and landing points are possible along the river, to create a trip to suit your needs. Afon Hafren / The River Severn can also be incorporated into, or form the start and/or finish point for 'Waterways a la Carte', 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 route planner below may help you plan your itinerary. All distances are given by river from Pool Quay, and you will find current river-level information and weather forecasts for key points. 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. |
Canoe and Kayak touring is a peaceful and environmentally sustainable way to enjoy a day on the water with a waterside picnic, watch wildlife or spend a holiday exploring an area 'off the beaten track' moving between campsites or B&B's. And it's FUN! Backwaters hire open canoes, open cockpit kayaks and, for the more experienced, closed-cockpit kayaks on a number of waterways in South Wales and the Borderland. Backwaters welcomes canoeists who want responsibly to enjoy the waterways and countryside, respecting other users and wildlife. If you are not sure about your ability for unaccompanied canoe hire; we offer Guided Tours and a 'River Awareness' Day. We can also arrange skills training courses at various levels from beginner to open and white-water.
Backwaters Mountain & Water: Wales-wide Adventure Ltd. For guided tours, activity holidays and courses. |
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Route Planner |
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This is the highest point on the navigation, with access for year-round paddling. The river is narrow and twisting, and there is often vegetation, including trees, obstructing the channel. Drop-off point. |
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Pub - Powis Arms
Tea Rooms - Pool Quay Church. Opening times vary. |
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Llandrinio Bridge
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Afon Hafren / the River Severn near Llandrinio Bridge. Here the river is narrow and twisting, with densely vegetated banks. In high water conditions, the vegetation is overhanging or in the water. |
Camping/B&B/Breakfast for campers. Haimwood Farm, Mr & Mrs Nixon 01691 830764.  |
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Confluence with the Vyrnwy. The river widens as the Vyrnwy joins.
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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. Camping at Church, Melverley, a short paddle up the Vyrny from the confluence. Tel 01691 62754 |
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Royal Hill Inn |
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Buckley Farm Riverside Camping for Canoeists, basic facilities at the farm. Mr and Mrs Davies 01743 741336 |
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Pick-up / Drop-off point.
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Camp site. Severn House Tel. 01743 850229. |
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Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point.
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Shrewsbury Abbey from the River Severn |
TIC 01743 281200
Frankwell canoe landing, with the footbridge into Shrewsbury town centre in the distance.
Riverside Pub on the Shrewsbury 'loop'. |
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Shrewsbury Weir
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Approach to Shrewsbury weir |
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Uffington |
Inn |
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Riverside Inn Accommodation and restaurant. Landing for patrons. |
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Cressage Bridge |
Village Inn. |
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Buildwas Bridge
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B&B Bridge House. Tel. 01952 432105 |
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With thanks to the author, who filmed our customers on the river. |
Historic Town. Youth Hostel. Hotels/B&B Pubs. W.C. TIC. Tel 01952 432166 shops etc.  |
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Jackfield Rapid |
Inspect from LEFT |
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Coalport |
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Woodbridge Arms. Inn, restaurant. 01952 2054 |
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Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point.
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Canoes setting off from Bridgnorth. |
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  |
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Quatford |
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Pub. |
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Camping. B&B at The Unicorn Inn, Tel. 01746 861515 Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816. |
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Highley |
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Inn. Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816. |
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Pick-up / Drop-off point . |
Riverside Tea Garden, Post Office and Shop at Arley. |
Tea rooms, Shop/PO. Inn. Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816. 
Arley Station on the Severn Valley Railway, close to the river. |
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*Pick-up / Drop-off point.
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Canoes Landing above the Riverside Walk, Bewdley Rowing Club opposite. BEWARE POWERED CRAFT BEYOND THIS POINT |
Historic Town. B&B's Hotels. Car park (fee) Pubs. Shops. Cafés  TIC Tel 01299 404740 |
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Lickhill Manor Caravan and Camping Park 01299 871041 - www.lickhillmanor.co.uk |
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Pick-up / Drop-off point.. |
(Please note that there is a licence fee payable beyond this point - this is included in our hire charges) The river changes character below Stourport and there are locks and weirs on the following section. If you are not able to portage the locks, check with the lock-keeper before paddling, and notify numbers before arrival at the lock. Junction with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. |
Canoes setting off from Stourport |
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Lincombe Lock |
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Inn |
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Holt Lock |
River Severn in winter - Holt Lock. |
Inn 'The Holt Fleet' 01905 620286 Shop. Camping. Holt Fleet Farm Caravan Park 01905 620512 |
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Bevere Lock |
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Inn |
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Diglis Lock Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point.
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Junction with Worcester and Birmingham Canal |
Historic City. Hotels/B&B shops etc. Abbey.
TIC Tel. 01905 726311 |
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Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point. |
Historic Town. B&B's Hotels. Car park (fee) Pubs. Shops. Cafés TIC Tel. 01684 594200 |
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Pick-up / Drop-off point. Confluence with River Avon Launching/landing point (on Avon). |
NB - beyond here the river is tidal. |
Historic Town. B&B's Hotels. Car park (fee) Pubs. Shops. Cafés
TIC Tel. 01684 295027 |
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Launching/landing point (fee) |
Riverside Inn, B&B. camp site, Lower Lode Inn 01684 293224. |
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116.75 miles. |
Inn |
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Haw Bridge
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Inns |
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Upper Parting |
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Pick-up point. Launching/landing point.
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Historic City. Hotels/B&B shops etc. Cathedral. Camping. TIC Tel. 01452 421188 |
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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 1:50000 series 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 Use of Welsh and English place names: Where a the English name of a place differs from the original, Welsh name, the Welsh name is given first, in italics. Please see our 'Welsh Language Policy' for more information. 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 following the links on the route planner above. |
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Last updated 06 January 2012
