New Trent Valley paddle trail

The guide features a 17-mile (27 km) paddle trail along the River Tame and River Trent. It will help paddlers learn more about the waterways, wildlife and history within the Trent Valley. The trail begins in the small village of Hopwas on the Coventry Canal, surrounded by red brick cottages and woodlands. It then connects to the River Tame and onto the River Trent, where it reaches Burton Upon Trent, renowned for its breweries. The trail finishes at Newton Park, by Burton Canoe Club.

Trent Valley history
The Trent Valley has a long and interesting history. It is shaped by its rivers and altered by human activity on the landscape. The wonderful canal network, which flows through towns, past homes and out into glorious countryside, brings wellbeing opportunities to many.

From the Vikings to the Romans to World War Two pillboxes, wildlife has learnt to live next to humans and adapt to change. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Canoe Foundation, the trail has benefited from significant access improvements. The new trail complements and promotes existing canoe trails on the Coventry, Trent, and Mersey Canals and the River Trent.

Louise Morris, TTTV Landscape Partnership Manager, said: “Paddling the river is such a great way to appreciate the water environment. It brings people closer to the nature we work hard to protect. Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Canoe Foundation, we have made the river easier for paddlers to access.”

Trent and Mersey Canal Alrewas to Fradley

David Belbin, a trustee of the Canoe Foundation, said: “We’re pleased to have been able to support the partners who have worked closely together on this project. It has improved the access for all paddlers and opportunities to use this excellent stretch of water.”

Hopwas to Burton Upon Trent

Chantelle Grundy, Access and Environment Lead at Paddle UK, added: “The Trent Valley paddle trail guide provides information on paddling routes in the Trent Valley and includes distance, time, access points, toilets and points of interest. It also highlights our Paddlers’ Code, which sets out the sorts of things we do to protect our environment, respect other users and safely enjoy being on the water.

“We are providing paddlers with the information they need to learn more about the river and what makes it so special. We are proud to be reaching new audiences.”

River Trent and Mersey Canal Alrewas Circuit

The Rivers of the Trent Valley are loved for their ecological value, providing habitats for a variety of wildlife and plant species. Part of the joy of your journey can be found in spotting the wonderful wildlife, flora and fauna along the trail.

You can read the full guide and download it here:
https://gopaddling.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/J47729_BCAN_River_Trent_Paddle_Guide-v3.pdf