South East England Sea and Tidal River Access
Contents
Introduction
This page is initially just "my sea kayaking notes tidied up a bit". The idea is not to list all the trips you might do in a sea kayak, but rather the places where you might start and finish (and maybe stop for lunch). That way, you can make up your own trips.
By putting up this first version, I'm hoping to stimulate contributions from others, and maybe
steer this in the direction of a shared-ownership document, with "sectional editors".
Comments/Improvements most welcome ! Probably via the forum initially...
TonyR
v1.04 23/08/2008
Contents
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Tidal Thames: Teddington to Shadwell
Tidal Thames: Shadwell to Gravesend
Tidal Thames: Gravesend to Hole Haven
Tidal Thames: Bow Creek and the River Lea
Medway Tidal River
Medway Marsh
The Swale
Isle of Sheppey
North Kent Estuary
East Kent Coast: North Foreland to Dover
East Kent Coast: River Stour
<a class="" title="MedwayRiver" name="MedwayRiver"></a>
Medway Tidal River
<img src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10630/original.aspx" mce_src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10630/original.aspx" alt="Near Wouldham, heading North" width="913" height="146">
The tidal part of the Medway starts as an unpromising, muddy channel close to the M20, at Allington Lock. It winds North through flattish and semi-rural landscape, before passing through the industrial towns of Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham and their surrounding chalk downland.
This is a pleasant area to paddle, particularly in Winter when it is quiet, or on windy days when other more exposed outings are ruled out. Lying mostly North-South, it is well protected against prevailing Westerlies.
Access is a bit difficult everywhere except at Gillingham Strand and Allington Lock, the 2 endpoints of this section. Hence this tends to be a 25K "straight through" paddle. It can be done in either direction, but is most practical in the Downstream (Northbound) direction, as this gets the tide-critical access at Allington Lock out of the way at the start, and you have both the tide and the river flow on your side. HW at Allington lock is around 2 hours after HW Dover.
<tbody> </tbody>0k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2956,0.5019%28Allington%20lock%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2956,0.5019(Allington%20lock)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Allington lock
(tel 01622 717251) and large and popular waterfront pub. |
10k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3503,0.4566%28Wouldham%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3503,0.4566(Wouldham)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Wouldham
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16k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3928,0.4994%28Rochester%20Bridge%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3928,0.4994(Rochester%20Bridge)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Rochester Bridge
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18k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3850,0.5205%28Chatham%20%22Blue%20Pontoon%22%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3850,0.5205(Chatham%20%22Blue%20Pontoon%22)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Chatham "Blue" pontoon
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24k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3976,0.5634%28GILLINGHAM%20STRAND%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3976,0.5634(GILLINGHAM%20STRAND)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | GILLINGHAM STRAND
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<a class="" title="MedwayMarsh" name="MedwayMarsh"></a>
Medway Marsh
<img src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10631/original.aspx" mce_src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10631/original.aspx" alt="Medway Marsh" width="913" height="146">
East of Gillingham, the river opens into a vast area of saltmarsh. The main river track passes through the middle, with flood plains to either side. To the North - the Hoo Peninsular and Isle of Grain, both heavily industrialised and with long jetties reaching out from the land to the deep water. To the South - a largely unspoiled coastline of apple orchards, small villages, a country park, and some of the best place names in the business: Horrid Hill, Slaughterhouse point, Bedlam's bottom...
The tide here floods in from the East, as expected, with Sheerness the guide port for tide times. As with the nearby <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Swale" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Swale">Swale</a>, principal hazard is the MUD, which is everywhere ! On a falling tide, it is all too easy to get caught out and be stranded several kilometers from land - so it's important to keep your navigation brain engaged - and to always know where the deep water is !
Useable access points are all on the South side, but are really just HW touchdown spots, eg for lunch stops. The best way to access this area is really to paddle in from either end - ie from Gillingham Strand in the West or Queenborough in the East (both 24hr slipways)
<tbody> </tbody>- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3753,0.6276%28Otterham%20Quay%29&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Otterham Quay
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- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3760,0.6718%28Lower%20Halstow%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3760,0.6718(Lower%20Halstow)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Lower Halstow
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- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3842,0.7140%28Raspberry%20Hill%29&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Raspberry Hill
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<a class="" title="Swale" name="Swale"></a>
The Swale
<img src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10632/original.aspx" mce_src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10632/original.aspx" alt="Hary Ferry looking North, 'Ferry Inn' in the background" width="913" height="146">
The Swale is a stretch of tidal water that separates the <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Sheppey" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Sheppey">Isle of Sheppey</a> from the Kent mainland. It is open it both ends, so not really a river as popularly supposed. It has numerous creeks off the South side.
The varying character of the Swale is summed up by the 2 neighbouring towns, which could hardly be more different: Sittingbourne in the West is a depressing industrial slum, whose channel to the Swale (Milton Creek) is the destination of choice for supermarket trolleys and truck tyres. Meanwhile, Faversham, just 10K to the East, is a picture postcard of Olde Kent, with hopfields, oasthouses and sailing barges. The Faversham end of the Swale, best accessed through Harty Ferry, is a gem ! Calm and peaceful, especially in Winter.
Tide floods into the Swale from both ends, meeting up in the middle. Currents are thus strongest at the 2 ends, with a notional "dead spot" where the 2 tides meet, somewhere east of Milton Creek. This can be turned to advantage if circumnavigating Sheppey, by arranging to pass through this point just as the tide changes! The Red and Green buoys also change sides near here, at Kingsferry Bridge.
As with the nearby Medway Marsh, it's important to be careful on a falling tide ! Parts of the Swale are a kilometer or more across, but dry very quickly leaving a navigable channel barely a 100 meters across, and oceans of horrible, sticky mud.
Access Points listed here are just the SOUTH side ones. For the NORTH side, see the <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Sheppey" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Sheppey">Isle of Sheppey</a>.
<tbody> </tbody>0k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3907,0.7476%28Kingsferry%20Bridge%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3907,0.7476(Kingsferry%20Bridge)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Kingsferry Bridge
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9k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3464,0.8162%28Conyer%20Creek%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3464,0.8162(Conyer%20Creek)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Conyer Creek
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13k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3467,0.8891%28Harty%20Ferry%20South%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3467,0.8891(Harty%20Ferry%20South)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | HARTY FERRY (SOUTH)
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15k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3287,0.8806%28Oare%20Creek%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3287,0.8806(Oare%20Creek)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Oare Creek
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19k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3187,0.8906%28Faversham%20Town%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3187,0.8906(Faversham%20Town)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Faversham Town
Parking nearby. At the junction between the 2 creeks is another stangely isolated pub, the "Shipwrights Arms". Food available. "Wet-friendly". |
<a class="" title="Sheppey" name="Sheppey"></a>
Isle of Sheppey
<img src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10633/original.aspx" mce_src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10633/original.aspx" alt="Shell Ness Beach, Isle of Sheppey" width="913" height="146">
"What country pray is this" ? Proud home to Europe's largest manufacturer of garden gnomes, Sheppey retains a sense of independence from neighbouring England. Things here have often seemed a cultural decade or two behind the mainland - but are changing now, in part because the "new" bridge (July 2006) has made access from England much quicker and more reliable. A bit rough, poor and rather shabby in parts, Sheppey is still full of surprises.
Tides generally flood from the East and Ebb to the West, except on the South side, ie <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Swale" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Swale">The Swale</a>, which is fed from both ends. Tide times can all be taken as Sheerness. Circumnavigation of the island (45-50K) makes a nice day trip.
<tbody> </tbody>- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4175,0.7396%28QUEENBOROUGH%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4175,0.7396(QUEENBOROUGH)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | QUEENBOROUGH
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- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4367,0.7970%28Barton%27s%20Point%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4367,0.7970(Barton's%20Point)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Barton's Point
<a href="http://www.iossc.org.uk" mce_href="http://www.iossc.org.uk" target="_blank">Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club</a><a> which has a truly excellent </a><a href="http://www.iossc.org.uk/weather/index.php" mce_href="http://www.iossc.org.uk/weather/index.php" target="_blank">weathercam</a><a>. Just 3km offshore from here lies the intruiging wreck of the </a><a href="http://www.ssrichardmontgomery.com/" mce_href="http://www.ssrichardmontgomery.com/">SS Richard Montgomery</a>, a munitions ship which ran aground here in 1944, spilling hundreds of tons of ordnance on to the sea bed (much of it still there today!). This makes an interesting diversion if paddling along this coast, or crossing to Southend. You literally "can't miss it". Parts of the vessel's rusting superstructure stick up above low tide and the whole area is plastered with buoys and warning signs. |
- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3947,0.9311%28Leysdown%20on%20Sea%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3947,0.9311(Leysdown%20on%20Sea)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Leysdown on Sea
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- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3693,0.9429%28Shell%20Ness%20-%20Sheppey%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3693,0.9429(Shell%20Ness%20-%20Sheppey)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Shell Ness - Sheppey
launch into the Swale, or a classic lunch spot. Car access possible from nearby Leysdown, then a portage or trolley for the last few hundred meters. Avoid the roped-off bird sanctuary, just West of the concrete bunker. |
- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3549,0.8919%28Harty%20Ferry%20North%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3549,0.8919(Harty%20Ferry%20North)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | HARTY FERRY (NORTH)
Shadwell Basin this pub feels more isolated than you would believe possible. Until relatively recently, they had only "well" water and generated their own electricity. Car access is a little complicated, which is probably why it's so nice ! One of the few places that's easier to reach by Kayak than by road. |
<a class="" title="NorthKent" name="NorthKent"></a>
North Kent Estuary
<img src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10634/original.aspx" mce_src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10634/original.aspx" alt="Reculver Towers and Herne Bay, Looking West" width="913" height="146">
From East Sheppey across to Whistable is a large area of mudflats, with limited access from the shore, and a mini tide-race around <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Swale" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Swale">The Swale</a> entrance. The 4K open crossing from Shell Ness to Whitstable makes a nice outing when conditions are right. Arrival by sea at Whitstable offers the ultimate in lunch stops: haul your boat up the shingle, step into Whitstable Oyster Fishery an order up your Moule/Frites. Return to the sea afterwards with a sense of smug superiority.
East of Whitstable, the mud progressively gives way to sandy beaches and seaside towns (Herne Bay, Margate) with the prominent landmark of Reculver generally in sight. East from here, the water gets livelier as we head East to North Foreland, and leave the shelter of the Estuary.
The Tides in this area flood from the East and ebb to the West as expected. Flows are not particularly strong and can be paddled against easily enough if you stay inshore. Apart from a short run of cliffs East of Herne Bay (cut off at HW) there is landing more or less anywhere and plenty of parking. Also plenty of candy-floss and deep-fried doughnuts.
1K offshore from Herne Bay are the stranded remains of the pier wrecked by a storm in 1978, worth a detour to hear (or imagine) the echoes of the dance band still playing. Further offshore (8.5K due North) lies the Wind Farm, built in early 2007 (NickJ, Sea4me and TonyR paddled out there for a look in Octovber 2007, leaving just one thing behind: a camera!)
<tbody> </tbody>0k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3646,1.0257%28WHITSTABLE%20OYSTER%20FISHERY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3646,1.0257(WHITSTABLE%20OYSTER%20FISHERY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | WHITSTABLE OYSTER FISHERY(East end of harbour wall)
Some parking behind the restaurant in the entrance driveway. |
1k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3649,1.0320%28WHITSTABLE%20CONTINENTAL%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3649,1.0320(WHITSTABLE%20CONTINENTAL)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | WHITSTABLE CONTINENTAL
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5k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3704,1.0982%28Hampton%20turn%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3704,1.0982(Hampton%20turn)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Hampton turn
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7k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3727,1.1210%28HERNE%20BAY%20BREAKWATER%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3727,1.1210(HERNE%20BAY%20BREAKWATER)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | HERNE BAY BREAKWATER
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12k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3801,1.2002%28Reculver%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3801,1.2002(Reculver)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Reculver
also seasonal cafe and 2 pubs. |
18k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3790,1.2811%28MINNIS%20BAY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3790,1.2811(MINNIS%20BAY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | MINNIS BAY
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21k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3833,1.3322%28WESTGATE%20BAY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3833,1.3322(WESTGATE%20BAY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | WESGATE BAY
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25k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3904,1.3809%28MARGATE%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3904,1.3809(MARGATE)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | MARGATE
in rough weather. |
28k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3922,1.4189%28PALM%20BAY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3922,1.4189(PALM%20BAY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | PALM BAY
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30k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3893,1.4356%28BOTANY%20BAY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3893,1.4356(BOTANY%20BAY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | BOTANY BAY
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32k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3798,1.4468%28JOSS%20BAY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3798,1.4468(JOSS%20BAY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | JOSS BAY
<a href="http://magicseaweed.com/Joss-Bay-Surf-Report/18/" mce_href="http://magicseaweed.com/Joss-Bay-Surf-Report/18/" target="_blank">Surfing location</a>, and even has a <a href="http://www.jossbay.co.uk" mce_href="http://www.jossbay.co.uk" target="_blank">surf school</a>! Waves are generally modest, larger at high tide and in a North-easterley wind. |
<a class="" title="Fore-Dover" name="Fore-Dover"></a>
East Kent Coast: North Foreland to Dover
<img src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10635/original.aspx" mce_src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10635/original.aspx" alt="North Foreland Light, alongside Joss Bay" width="913" height="146">
This stretch of coast faces Eastwards out into the North Sea. We are out of the Estuary here, so this is "real sea" (though calmed at LW by the infamous Goodwin Sands, some 10K offshore, drying to several meters).
The Northern coastline (Foreland, Broadstairs, Ramsgate) has chalk cliffs and a rocky-ish foreshore, with some sandy beaches. South of Ramsgate (Pegwell Bay, Deal, South Foreland) this gives way to flat landscape and sand/shingle beaches, before the cliffs rise again near Dover.
A high spot for mariners is Ramsgate, a "proper" port which has a ferry (4 crossings to Ostend daily) a marina, and a few working vessels. Outside the summer season, it is fairly quiet, so crossing the harbour entrance is not a big deal (unlike Dover). Currents of up to 3 knots can be encountered passing the Ramsgate Southern breakwater, which makes life interesting.
Just South of Ramsgate lies Pegwell Bay, the "mini-estuary" of the <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#KentStour" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#KentStour">River Stour</a>, a pleasant paddle in its own right. This is a broad and flat stretch of sand, where the sea recedes nearly 3K at lower water, drying almost all the way to Ramsgate harbour entrance!
The big feature of this whole section is the "tidal offset" caused by the constriction of the Dover Straits. Along this coast, HW is not SLACK WATER ! The tide instead runs NORTH from Dover HW-1.5 to Dover HW+4.5, then reverses for a similar period. (The direction change is "4.5 hours late", in other words).
If paddling "round the corner" (ie to/from the Estuary) it's worth thinking about "tidal windows", ie whether you can get tide support both ways. For those who like an easy life, the best plan is to go clockwise (ie from Estuary to Channel) and to pass North Foreland between Dover HW+4.5 and HW+6. This nicely links the 2 tides. It also rounds the corner close to local LW, so the uncovered foreshore (sand with some rockpools) produces a quieter sea to pick through.
<tbody> </tbody>35k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3586,1.4449%28Broadstairs%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3586,1.4449(Broadstairs)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Broadstairs
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36k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3482,1.4395%28Dumpton%20Gap%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3482,1.4395(Dumpton%20Gap)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Dumpton Gap
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38k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3349,1.4284%28RAMSGATE%20EAST%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3349,1.4284(RAMSGATE%20EAST)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | RAMSGATE EAST
cliff-top Victoria Parade, avoiding town centre. |
39k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3264,1.4070%28RAMSGATE%20WEST%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3264,1.4070(RAMSGATE%20WEST)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | RAMSGATE WEST
waiting for the Ostende ferry. See notes under <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#KentStour" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#KentStour">River Stour</a> if planning to enter the river. |
42k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3283,1.3753%28Pegwell%20Bay%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3283,1.3753(Pegwell%20Bay)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Pegwell Bay
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41k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3138,1.3664%28Shell%20Ness%20-%20Stour%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3138,1.3664(Shell%20Ness%20-%20Stour)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Shell Ness - Stour
of Sandwich Bay, where you can land just about anywhere, but with road access difficult until Deal. |
54k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2240,1.4053%28DEAL%20PIER%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2240,1.4053(DEAL%20PIER)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | DEAL PIER
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64k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.1504,1.3864%28St%20Margarets%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.1504,1.3864(St%20Margarets)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | St Margarets
which rise up from here towards Dover. Access via steep & windy cliff road from St Margaret's village (not advisable with a trailer!). Pub, Cafe, Toilets and good parking (prices Sept 2006 were 40p per hour 0900-1700 June-Sept only, free at all other times - including overnight). |
St Margarets beach is just 2K North of DOVER HARBOUR Eastern entrance, which is busy with Ferry movements. Paddling beyond here really requires care - and ideally a VHF call. This is the narrowest point of the Dover Straits so water is always likely to be running fast, and the additional projection of the harbour breakwater a kilometer or so into the flow, further squeezes things. The result is a mini-tide race and a sizeable eddy just of the Eastern entrance, which could be fun to play in - were it not for the dangers of the constant ferry traffic.
<a class="" title="KentStour" name="KentStour"></a>
East Kent Coast: River Stour
<img src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10636/original.aspx" mce_src="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/photos/tonyr/images/10636/original.aspx" alt="River Stour entrance at Pegwell Bay" width="913" height="146">
This little tidal river flows out from Canterbury, via Sandwich to the sandflats of Pegwell Bay. Quiet, peaceful and sheltered, this is more of a "Wind in the Willows" experience than a white water one. There are no rocks anywhere, and currents barely reach 2 knots even at peak.
Unlike the neighbouring sea coast at Pegwell Bay, there is no "tidal offset" to confuse things here. The river floods and ebbs predictably. HW at Sandwich is around Dover HW+1 and Grove Ferry is at Dover HW+2.
The "top" end around Fordwich is particularly nice as it passes along the Stodmarsh nature reserve, and has large wetland areas either side of the waterway. It's rare to see any vessel larger than a kayak upstream of the Grove Ferry bridge because of its limited headroom. Downstream of the bridge there are a few river cruisers, but typically only in Summer.
You can paddle this river in either direction, but it's best done with tide support, and with an eye on the tides at Sandwich, where access at LW is a very muddy experience. Typical "A to B" trips are between Grove Ferry, Sandwich and/or Ramsgate West via the Pegwell Bay crossing.
<tbody> </tbody>0k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2954,1.1227%28Fordwich%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2954,1.1227(Fordwich)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Fordwich
combination of private land ownership, and sluices across the river paths - a shame, as we are barely 5K from Canterbury Town Centre. Generally better to enter the river at Grove Ferry... |
7k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3236,1.2082%28GROVE%20FERRY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3236,1.2082(GROVE%20FERRY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | GROVE FERRY
bird reserve and the popular <a href="http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/pubs.php/groveferryinn_canterbury" mce_href="http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/pubs.php/groveferryinn_canterbury" target="_blank">Grove Ferry Inn</a>. Best access point in the area ! There is no slipway, but tidal movement is quite limited this far upstream so it's always possible to get in and out. |
11k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3324,1.2318%28Sarre%20Level%20Crossing%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3324,1.2318(Sarre%20Level%20Crossing)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Sarre Level Crossing
A253, but with a railway level crossing sandwiched in between. Access possible over the banks here, but not easy to park anywhere. And of course you have to portage over the railway line ! |
13k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3243,1.2569%28Plucks%20Gutter%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3243,1.2569(Plucks%20Gutter)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Plucks Gutter
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17k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3176,1.3117%28Minster%20Marshes%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3176,1.3117(Minster%20Marshes)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Minster Marshes
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21k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3018,1.3457%28Stonar%20Cut%20West%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3018,1.3457(Stonar%20Cut%20West)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | (Stonar Cut West)
of this place, thanks to the huge loop section through Sandwich Town. A large sluice separates the two. This is rather like those holes in the wall at Ikea where you can see into the future (but in this case you can't pass through!) |
25k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2754,1.3440%28SANDWICH%20TOWN%20QUAY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2754,1.3440(SANDWICH%20TOWN%20QUAY)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | SANDWICH TOWN QUAY
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31k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3017,1.3477%28Stonar%20Cut%20East%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3017,1.3477(Stonar%20Cut%20East)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | (Stonar Cut East)
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33k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3143,1.3693%28Shell%20Ness%20Beach%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3143,1.3693(Shell%20Ness%20Beach)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Shell Ness Beach
cuts off all land access to the North, while the nearest road access (a twisty golf course track, with potentially a road toll to be paid) is several kilometers to the South.
at around 045 degrees (the other way, it's the cooling towers at 225 degrees!). However, bear it mind it can be very choppy here in Easterly conditions, and that with some 2k of drying mud to cross, you could get caught. On a falling tide, you may prefer to follow the yacht track and run 090 for 1K, then 045. There is a way out by the Viking Ship in the top corner of the bay, but HW only. |