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.

We welcome responsible canoeists will enjoy the river and countryside, leaving it as they found it; treating wildlife and other river users with respect.

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.

Contact
Home Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Craft for Hire
Trip Planning Advice
Policy Statements:

Environmental; Ethical Trading; Welsh Language; Access statement.

Availability
Prices
Canoe Hire and Outfitting

Afon Hafren / River Severn

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 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. 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

 
 

Distance from Pool Quay (approx), Location and access (if applicable)

 Facilities and local points of interest

Pool Quay

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.

Pub - Powis Arms

 

Tea Rooms - Pool Quay Church. Open 12 April - 30 September, 1000 - 1300 Thu-Fri-Sat

8.25 miles.

Llandrinio Bridge

Haimwood from the river.

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

12.25 miles

Melverley

Confluence with the Vyrnwy

The river widens as the Vyrnwy joins.

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

14 miles.

The Royal Hill

Riverside Inn with Camping. Tel. 01743 741242

22.5 miles

Montford Bridge

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Car parking and camping. Inn. W.C.

Camp site. Severn House Tel. 01743 850229.

The Old Swan Inn.

32.5 miles

Coton Hill.

 

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

34 miles.

Frankwell, Shrewsbury

 

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Launching/landing point.

Frankwell canoe landing, with the footbridge into Shrewsbury in the distance.

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

Café. Footbridge to town centre.

 

TIC 01743 281200

Riverside Pub on the Shrewsbury 'loop'.

Shrewsbury Abbey from the River Severn

36 miles

Shrewsbury Weir

 

Approach to Shrewsbury weir

 

PORTAGE THIS WEIR

38.25 miles

Uffington.

Inn

51 miles.

Cressage Bridge

Village Inn.

56 miles

Buildwas Bridge

 

B&B Bridge House.

Tel. 01952 432105

58.25 miles

Ironbridge.

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.

58.5 miles.

Jackfield Rapid

Grade II-III+ rapids.

Inspect from LEFT

60.25 miles.

Coalport

Pub

67.25 miles

Bridgnorth

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

69.5 miles

Quatford

Pub.

72.75 miles

Hampton Loade

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

Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816.

75.5 miles

Highley

Inn.

Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816.

77.75 miles

Arley

Pick-up / Drop-off point .

Inns. Severn Valley Railway.

Inn.

Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816.

81.5 miles

Bewdley Bridge

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

85.5 miles

Stourport

Pick-up / Drop-off point..

Start of British Waterways Navigation

(fee payable)

There are locks and weirs on the following section. If you are not able to portage the weirs, check with the lock-keeper before paddling, and notify numbers before arrival at the lock.

 

Junction with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.

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

87 miles

Lincombe Lock

Lock keeper tel. 01299 822887

Inn

91.25 miles

Holt Lock

Lock keeper tel. 01905 620218

Inn 'The Holt Fleet' 01905 620286

Shop.

Camping. Holt Fleet Farm Caravan Park 01905 620512

94.75 miles

Bevere Lock

Lock keeper tel. 01905 640275

Inn

98.25 miles.

Worcester

Diglis Lock

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Launching/landing point.

Lock keeper tel. 01905 354280

 

Junction with Worcester and Birmingham Canal

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

Camping.

 

TIC Tel. 01905 726311

100 miles.
Confluence with the River Teme

109.25 miles

Upton on Severn

Pick-up / Drop-off point.

Launching/landing point.

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

TIC Tel. 01684 594200

115 miles.

Tewkesbury

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

116 miles

Upper Lode Lock

Lock keeper tel. 01684 293138

116.75 miles

Lower Lode

Launching/landing point (fee)

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

Apperley

116.75 miles.

Inn

121.5 miles.

Haw Bridge

Inns

127 miles.

Upper Parting

Take the left arm to reach Gloucester.

129.75 miles

Gloucester

Pick-up point.

Launching/landing point.

Lock Keeper 01452 318000

Historic City.

Hotels/B&B shops etc. Cathedral.

Camping.

TIC Tel. 01452 421188

Contact
Home Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Craft for Hire
Trip Planning Advice
Policy Statements:

Environmental; Ethical Trading; Welsh Language; Access statement.

Availability
Prices

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