10 best paddling routes in the SE – December 2025 issue

Regent's Canal Paddington to King's Cross

Words:
Lisa Drewe

Photos:
Lisa Drewe &
Botley Brewery on route 6

Lisa Drewe

10 of the best paddling routes in London and the South East

From tranquil riverbanks to vibrant city canals, here are ten scenic paddleboarding escapes within easy reach of London.

There are few better ways to explore South East England than by paddleboard. With hundreds of paddleable waterways spanning Greater London and 12 surrounding counties, the region offers an astonishing variety – from wide estuaries and vibrant city canals to wild coastlines and chalk streams. In my new book, Paddleboarding London and South East England, I’ve selected over 100 of the best routes to showcase this diversity, where stand-up paddleboarding offers a unique perspective on these landscapes – gliding quietly through nature reserves, market towns and even past some of London’s most iconic landmarks. With little more than a board, paddle and a sense of curiosity, you can uncover unknown corners of the countryside or find unexpected calm in the heart of the capital – often just steps from a train station, towpath or beachside café.

From the quiet reed beds of Cambridgeshire to the regal curves of the Thames, these are ten of my favourite routes from the book – each one offering something unique and a touch of adventure. They are all routes I return to, enjoying them differently in changing seasons and tides. Here are ten of the best to try this summer.

1. Regent’s Canal: Paddington to King’s Cross, Greater London (5km one way)
One of London’s most iconic paddles, the Regent’s Canal offers a journey through the city’s hidden layers – scenic, surprising and quietly exhilarating. Set off from the mirrored glass of modern Paddington Basin and head east through the charm of Little Venice (portaging at Maida Hill Tunnel). From there, the route passes the leafy edges of Regent’s Park, where you might glimpse wolves and monkeys in the riverside enclosures of London Zoo.

Further on, the floating red pagoda of the Feng Shang Princess restaurant rises from the water like something from a film set, while Camden Lock brings a burst of market energy and street art. Continue past the historic gasholders of St Pancras Basin before finishing at Coal Drops Yard – a great spot for a well-earned post-paddle coffee. This route is like a gallery in motion, with murals, moorings and masonry weaving together a portrait of hidden London. Best enjoyed in the quieter hours, with less boat traffic.
https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-paddington-to-kings-cross/

The Paddler Magazine issue 85 December 2025

2. Wey Navigation: Weybridge to Desborough Island, Surrey (13.5km return)

This peaceful stretch of the Wey Navigation is among my favourite Surrey paddles – broad, tree-lined and teeming with wildlife. Setting off from Weybridge, you’ll follow the waterway north-west, passing historic mill sites toward Desborough Island, a narrow, leafy refuge nestled between two channels of the Thames, and a great place to see watervoles.

You can pause at D’Oyly Carte Island – once home to the opera impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte, of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. While the island itself is private, its café is open to the public – oozing Victorian-era charm it serves excellent crepes.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-weybridge-to-desborough-island/

Wey Navigation Weybridge to Desborough Island

3. Broadstairs to Botany Bay, Kent (11.5km return)

A spectacular paddle along the Kent coastline, during calm conditions. Launch from Dumpton Bay, just south of Broadstairs – a genteel resort known for its golden sands and Victorian charm – and head north beneath gleaming chalk cliffs. Paddle beneath the turreted clifftop castle above Kingsgate Bay before reaching Botany Bay, a striking arc of sand flanked by high white cliffs and the bay’s signature sea stacks. It’s a route that delivers coastal drama in spades, with wheeling seabirds, hidden coves, and glinting sunlight on open sea.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-broadstairs-to-botany-bay/

4. River Stour: Chartham to Canterbury, Kent (5.5km one-way)

Journey along a rare chalk stream for a unique perspective of England’s original pilgrim’s destination. Launch at Chartham, just south-west of Canterbury, and follow the Great Stour as it winds through tranquil meadows and beneath overhanging willows into the heart of this historic city. As the river narrows, the scenery transforms from rural calm to medieval intrigue. Duck beneath beams rumoured to have come from the Spanish Armada, spot the old witches’ ducking stool en route, and spot the spire of Canterbury Cathedral. This river, once shaped by monks, now reworked by beavers, gives a rare and peaceful perspective on one of England’s most storied cities.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding- chartham-to-canterbury/

5. Malden Loop, Essex (9km return)

A circular adventure through saltmarsh, estuary and inland water, this loop begins at Heybridge Basin, where the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation meets the sea. Paddle out into the tidal waters of Colliers Reach, then turn inland on the tidal Chelmer, tracing a broad curve past the low-lying nature reserve of Northey Island, Maldon’s historic quay where the rust-red sails of Thames barges sit alongside weathered boatyards and centuries-old pubs. Reach the weir at Beeleigh Falls, then return beneath willows and along narrow, reed-lined cuts, back to the bustle of the basin.

Route details and special points: https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-maldon-loop/

6. River Hamble: Swanwick to Botley, Hampshire (13.5km return)

A gentle paddle through the Hampshire countryside that begins at Swanwick Marina and meanders north to the village of Botley. Once past the bustle of the marina, the Hamble becomes peaceful, its banks shaded by overhanging trees full of birdlife. Part-way, the Floaters Café offers tea and cake served directly from a boat hatch. For a tide-assisted journey, head out on the flood tide and return with the ebb. Time it right, and you can glide into Botley at high tide and moor up below the Hidden Tap Brewery, where drinks are conveniently lowered to you on your board. All in all, it’s a surprisingly effortless trip with quirky riverside hospitality.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-swanwick-to-botley/

7. Cuckmere River: Exceat to Alfriston, East Sussex (12km return)

In the shadow of the South Downs, the Cuckmere River winds through meadows and beneath chalk hills in one of Sussex’s most picturesque valleys. Launch at Exceat and head inland along the gently narrowing tidal river towards Alfriston – a village brimming with timber-framed charm, independent cafés and traditional pubs. The route is peaceful, flanked by open fields and reed beds, often with little more than birdsong and the rustle of grass for company. A spring or early summer paddle here, with skylarks overhead and the Downs rising around you, is absolute magic.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-exceat-to-alfriston/

8. Reach to Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire (12km return)

This atmospheric paddle explores two of Cambridgeshire’s ancient lodes – narrow, reed-fringed waterways once used for transporting peat and sedge. Launch from the village of Reach and head toward Wicken Fen, the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve and a haven for marsh harriers, dragonflies and wild Konik ponies. The route is calm and deeply immersive, with skies that stretch for miles and the constant rustle of reeds in the wind. You can walk to the café at Wicken Fen visitor’s centre. Then, after drifting back through this timeless wetland to Reach, reward yourself with a pint or lunch at The Dyke’s End – a gem of a pub nestled on the village green.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-wicken-fen/

9. River Thames: Marlow to Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire (11km one way)

Arguably one of the most picturesque journeys along the Thames, this route blends pastoral charm with literary heritage. Launch in the elegant town of Marlow and meander past Quarry Wood Hall – a river stretch said to have inspired Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. The river winds past Cookham and the Ferry Inn with its waterside terrace. Further downstream, the grandeur of Cliveden House comes into view, perched on high chalk cliffs cloaked by trees from around the world, before finishing at Boulter’s Lock near Maidenhead.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-marlow-to-maidenhead/

10. Oxford Canal & Thames: Wolvercote Loop, Oxfordshire (11.5km return)

Begin on the tranquil Oxford Canal at Isis Lock, a stone’s throw from the bustle of the city centre, and embark on a loop that blends narrow waterway intimacy with the grandeur of open river. Head north past ivy-clad bridges and moored narrowboats before joining the Thames via Duke’s Cut – a short channel that once linked Oxford to the wider trading network. Beyond, the river broadens as it flows past King’s Eyot and Pixey Mead. Pause at The Trout Inn, a 17th-century pub made famous by Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse, then paddle on past the haunting ruins of Godstow Abbey and the grazed Port Meadow to return to Isis Lock, conveniently close to Oxford’s rail station.

https://islandeering.com/paddleboarding-oxford-wolvercote-loop/

Oxford Canal and River Thames Wolvercote Loop

Paddle Boarding London & the South East

Final word

Whether you’re chasing seabirds along a chalk coast, gliding past barges in the city, or floating beneath the willow trees of a secluded stream, the waterways of London and the South East offer paddleboarding at its most varied and inspiring. These ten routes are only a small taste of what’s out there. With more than 100 mapped options in the region, the real joy lies in choosing a route, pushing off – and seeing where these beautiful blue paths takes you.

Paddle Boarding London & the South East
https://wildthingspublishing.com
100 Places to SUP, Canoe & Kayak
By Lisa Drewe
£18.99

Paddle through South East England’s most beautiful and diverse waterways with this ultimate guide. From Hampshire’s tranquil New Forest rivers, and the Solent coastline, to the vibrant waterways of London, Paddle Boarding London & South East England reveals over 100 paddle boarding routes across 13 counties.

Discover the peaceful rivers of Surrey, the wild saltmarshes of Essex, the Oxford and Cambridge Backs and the majestic Thames, along with hidden gems like the Rivers Mole, Ivel and Cuckmere. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, this book will help you explore the natural and historical wonders of this corner of England from a new perspective.

Written by Lisa Drewe, the award-winning author of Islandeering and Island Bagging, and a trained biologist, Paddle Boarding London & South East England also brings the region’s wonderful yet often-overlooked biodiversity to vivid life. Lisa lives in Wiltshire and the Isle of Skye and is Chair of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity.
Paddle Boarding London & South East England includes:

100 of England’s most scenic, and secluded, paddle routes.
Detailed maps, insider tips and advice on travelling sustainably and sensitively.
Evocative photos capturing the full magic of the recommended sites.