Tidal Thames: Shadwell to Gravesend
Tidal Thames: Shadwell to Gravesend
The river widens considerably East of Tower Bridge, so currents in this section run more slowly, and there are also fewer obstacles. Access to/from the shore remains patchy because of the large tidal range.
The landscape also changes radically. West of Greenwich, you know you're in the capital, with familiar landmarks everywhere and promenading tourists staring down at you in bewilderment. East of Greenwich, you might recognise the Dome, the Woolwich Ferry (still running !) and the M25 road bridge - but the rest is increasingly anonymous and spread out. It's still an engaging paddle, though ! The 40K run between Shadwell and Gravesend is a THCC club favourite.
<tbody> </tbody>2k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4951,-0.0324%28Greenland%20Dock%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4951,-0.0324(Greenland%20Dock)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | Greenland Dock
submerged, and access not very easy. Plenty of (unrestricted) parking in neighbouring Rope St, by the ferry terminal. |
2k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4940,-0.0274%28Millwall%20Dock%20Slipway%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4940,-0.0274(Millwall%20Dock%20Slipway)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | Millwall Dock slipway
downstream end that you can just paddle over. Sailing dingys from the neighbouring <a href="http://www.dswc.org/" mce_href="http://www.dswc.org/" target="_BLANK">Docklands Sailing Centre</a> launch from here into the river. |
4k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4861,-0.0122%28POPLAR%20ROWING%20CLUB%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4861,-0.0122(POPLAR%20ROWING%20CLUB)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | POPLAR ROWING CLUB
<a href="http://www.pbdrc.co.uk/" mce_href="http://www.pbdrc.co.uk/" target="_BLANK">Poplar Rowing Club</a>, whose members are regularly seen training up and down this stretch of river - albeit "facing the wrong way". Parking restrictions 08:30-17:30 Mon-Fri, but OK at all other times. |
5k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4883,-0.0046%28NEWCASTLE%20DRAWDOCK%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4883,-0.0046(NEWCASTLE%20DRAWDOCK)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | NEWCASTLE DRAWDOCK
Mon-Fri, but OK at all other times. |
5k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4861,-0.0013%28GREENWICH%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4861,-0.0013(GREENWICH)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | GREENWICH
Parking nearby in Pelton/Enderby streets. |
6k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4951,-0.0054%28AMSTERDAM%20YARD%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4951,-0.0054(AMSTERDAM%20YARD)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | AMSTERDAM YARD
lorry tyres. Although a nice launch and landing spot, access from Manchester Road is a bit more fiddly (drive in to unload, then drive back to park). Parking restrictions 08:30-17:30 Mon-Fri, but OK at all other times. Probably the best access point for <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#BowCreek" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#BowCreek">Bow Creek</a>, being just 2K from the entrance. |
7k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.5016,-0.0020%28The%20Dome%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.5016,-0.0020(The%20Dome)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | The Dome - Point Drawdock
very poor! Approach by road on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel approach (Northbound) peeling off at the very last moment into the turnoff for prohibited vehicles. Follow this to a barrier which is normally unmanned and can be raised by hand to get access to the foreshore (Drawdock Road) for unloading - but not for parking. |
8k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.5072,0.0091%28Bow%20Creek%20Entrance%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.5072,0.0091(Bow%20Creek%20Entrance)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | (Bow Creek Entrance)
Bow Locks, and the gateway to a complex network of waterways known as the "Bow Back Rivers" (see <a href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#BowCreek" mce_href="http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#BowCreek">Bow Creek</a>). This is an interesting area to paddle, but do be aware that there is virtually no access over the banks for the first 4K off the Thames - and no chance at all at LW. So think before you enter ! |
... Downstream from here, river access to/from the shore gets progressively harder ! There are a number of temporary landing spots where it's possible to get out and stretch legs, eg:
There are also a few emergency climb-out possibilities on to gantries of one sort or another
(eg Woolwich Ferry terminal North). However, in general, there is so much mud piled up along
the banks that access is only really possible close to HW, and only in isolated places. So be prepared
to paddle all the way through !
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40k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4444,0.3777%28GRAVESEND%20WATERFRONT%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4444,0.3777(GRAVESEND%20WATERFRONT)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | GRAVESEND WATERFRONT
the transition from river to sea, being now 700m across and with large vessels passing through. A group of working tugs is often stationed just offshore. |