Paddling Britain

This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt s Paddling Britain remains the definitive guide to stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing increasingly popular waterborne activities that explore British coastlines and inland waterways. Written by Lizzie Carr (aka Lizzie Outside, Britain s best known paddleboarder), it showcases Britain s 50 best places to enjoy recreational paddling from Cornwall to Norfolk, Cumbria and the Cairngorms. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), in particular, is sweeping across Britain, giving people the opportunity to explore waterways ranging from city rivers to remote and untouched areas that would otherwise be left inaccessible. Whether you re looking for a nice day out, a weekend adventure or a more daring paddleboarding challenge, Bradt s Paddling Britain will inspire and inform. The waters of England, Wales and Scotland are all featured, from rivers and canals to coastal strips and island circuits. Described in loving detail and with gentle humour, each location contains practical information about how to find these distinctive spots and what to expect on your journey. With Bradt s Paddling Britain, you can paddle between two of the Scilly Isles in under 10 minutes, or kayak across the UK s highest and longest aqueduct. Alternatively, you can paddle along Dorset s prehistoric Jurassic Coast, visit the Lake District s sole inhabited island, which opens just five days a year, or paddle in self-indulgent tranquillity through the hustle and bustle of London. Alongside detailed routes for each location, plus tips on wildlife and secret spots, Paddling Britain advises on where to stay and eat, getting there, and when to go. It also provides the low-down on everything you need to know for successful and enjoyable stand-up paddleboarding, from safety tips to kit, weather watching to paddling responsibly. The author, Lizzie Carr, says: `this book responds to the countless questions I receive from paddleboarders looking to explore new places and get new experiences from their SUP. Whether people want to take their families for a weekend adventure or enjoy a camping getaway with friends, Paddling Britain aims to answer these questions and inspire people to get outside and explore the UK water scene both coastal and inland.

Introduction

Paddling: The Essentials

Paddling Safely

Paddling Responsibly

Using This Guide

1. Tropical island-hopping (Isles of Scilly, Cornwall

2. Simply beachy (Isles of Scilly, Cornwall)

3. Sea safari (Penzance, Cornwall)

4. A world apart (The Lizard, Cornwall)

5. Heavenly Helford (Helford River, Cornwall)

6. Three in one (Rivers Truro, Fal & Tresillian, Cornwall)

7. Southwestern sundowner (Portmellon, Cornwall)

8. Cornish challenge (Godrevy–Portreath Heritage Coast, Cornwall)

9. And then there were none (Bigbury Bay, Devon)

10. Bullseye (River Dart, Devon)

11. Steer along the Stour (River Stour, Christchurch, Dorset)

12. Beaulieu beauty (River Beaulieu, New Forest, Hampshire

13. Ballet of the starlings (Brighton Pier, East Sussex)

14. Meet the meanders (Cuckmere River, East Sussex)

15. Wey to go (River Wey, Surrey/London)

16. Paddle _ t for a king? (Kingston-upon-Thames, London)

17. A trip to Paddlington (Regent’s Canal, London)

18. The only way is Essex (Chelmer & Blackwell Navigation, Essex)

19. Varsity va-va-voom (River Cam, Cambridgeshire)

20. Broadly brilliant (Hickling Broad, Norfolk)

21. Norfolk’s saltmarsh solace (Deepdale Marshes, Norfolk)

22. Locks, Banbury cakes & dreaming spires (Oxford Canal, Oxfordshire)

23. As you like it (Stratford Canal, West Midlands)

24. Midlands magic (River Trent, Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire)

25. Rumble in The Mumbles (The Mumbles, Swansea)

26. Gower power (Rhossili Bay, Swansea)

27. Welsh waterway secret (Cresswell River, Pembrokeshire)

28. Jewel in the crown (Newgale, Pembrokeshire)

29. The deep (Fishguard, Pembrokeshire)

30. Gold-medal paddle (Mawddach Estuary, Gwynedd)

31. Little Italy (Black Rock Sands, Gwynedd)

32. Snowdonian secret (Llyn Padarn, Gwynedd)

33. Medieval magic (Conwy Bay, Conwy)

34. The stream in the sky (Llangollen Canal, Denbighshire/Shropshire)

35. Let’s twist again (Bangor-on-Dee, Wrexham)

36. Mancunian secrets (Bridgewater Canal, Greater Manchester)

37. Skip to Saltaire (Leeds & Liverpool Canal, North/West Yorkshire)

38. Waterway jungle (Lancaster Canal, Lancashire/Cumbria)

39. Wild West paddle (Wast Water, Cumbria)

40. Nutkin’s Nirvana (Derwent Water, Cumbria)

41. ‘I wandered lonely as…’ (Ullswater, Cumbria)

42. The Scottish Riviera (Rockcli_ e, Dumfries & Galloway)

43. Seabird spectacular (Farne Islands, Northumberland)

44. Holy histories & craft ale (Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire)

45. Sound of silence (Loch Craignish, Argyll & Bute)

46. Repel the Vikings (Lunan Bay, Angus)

47. Highland _ ing (Loch Sunart, The Highlands)

48. Loch love (Loch Laggan, The Highlands)

49. Skye’s the limit (Loch Harport, Isle of Skye, The Highlands

50. Desert island delights (Rabbit Islands, The Highlands)

EPILOGUE

FURTHER INFORMATION

INDEX