10 Picturesque Paddle Boarding Routes in London and The South East

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Lisa Drewe

10 Picturesque Paddle Boarding Routes in London and The South East

By Lisa Drewe

Published on June 10, 2025

7 min read

Paddleboarding Routes in London and the South East – No Car Required!

Catch the tube to paddle London’s urban shores, past royal palaces, the Olympic Stadium, and Hackney Wick’s creative scene. OS Champion Lisa Drewe shares a collection of 10 perfect paddleboarding routes in London and the South East, taken from her new book.

Paddleboarding London and South East England: 100 places to SUP, Canoe and Kayak – £18.99, www.islandeering.com/shop

Just a train ride away, explore wild meadows, ancient wetlands, and literary landscapes. From city vibes to countryside escapes, find inspiration for your next paddleboarding adventure in London and the Home Counties – no car required.

1. River Thames Hampton Court to Kingston – London Paddleboarding

River Thames to Hampton Court Paddle Route

A 6km one way journey passing Thames islands, luxurious houseboats, the grandeur of Hampton Court Palace, cosy inns, and serene riverside landscapes stacked with royal history. Launch from Hampton Court Bridge (150 walk from Hampton Court rail station) and float downstream, with one lock with canoe rollers to portage. Egress just beyond Kingston Turks Pier. Notes: regular trains from London Waterloo (southwesternrailway.com)

Paddleboarding in London on the River Thames

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2. Regent’s Canal Paddington to Kings Cross – London Paddleboarding

Regent’s Canal Paddington to King’s Cross Paddleboarding Route

Leave behind the glittering towers of modern businesses of Merchant’s Square (adjacent to Paddington rail station) on a 5km one-way trip offering unique views of the capital’s heritage, green spaces, vibrant boating communities, and even the occasional monkey or wolf. Passing Little Venice, with its Regency architecture, Regent’s Park, enclosures of London Zoo, and the characterful Feng Shang Princess in Cumberland Basin before reaching Camden Lock with its eclectic mix of street food and bars. Continue to St Pancras Basin and its iconic gasholder frames for a 500m walk to Kings Cross Station. Notes: 700m portage of Maida Hill Tunnel, and three locks to portage.

Feng Shang Princess in Cumberland Basin

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3. Limehouse Cut and Olympic Stadium Loop – London Paddleboarding

Limehouse Cut and the Olympic Stadium

A fascinating 10.5 circular exploration of the network of East London waterways starts on the city’s oldest canal, where regenerated urban landscapes, striking graffiti, and historic sites lead to a unique circuit around the iconic Olympic Stadium. Launch at Limehouse Basin (300m walk from Limehouse DLR Station) and follow the Limehouse Cut, then wind through Bow Back Rivers around the 2012 Olympic site, including the twisting red steel structure of the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

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4. River Lea Navigation Tottenham Hale to Hackney Wick – London Paddleboarding

River Lee Navigation Tottenham Hale to Hackney Wick

Paddling 6.5 km one-way along the River Lea between Tottenham Hale and Hackney Wick offers a nique mix of urban grit and natural beauty, where industrial and residential areas meet wild spaces. Launch from Tottenham Hale (400m walk from Totenham Hale rail station). The river meanders past the Lea Valley reservoirs, ancient wetlands of Walthamstow Marshes, and the vast open fields of Hackney Marshes to reach the colourful graffiti-covered warehouses of the artistic neighbourhood of Hackney Wick – a great spot for a post-paddle drink. Note: Tottenham Hale is served by tube from London Victoria; and regular trains from London Liverpool Street (greateranglia.co.uk).

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5. Royal Victoria Dock – London Paddleboarding

London’s Victoria Dock Paddleboarding

Beach vibes, overhead cable cars, roaring jets, and watersports fun all come together at Royal Victoria Dock (600m walk from West Silverton DLR Station), a lively waterfront spot full of historic and modern attractions. Once the heart of London’s global trade, the Royal Docks has been transformed into a vibrant area with iconic buildings and a hub for watersports, all set against the impressive Docklands skyline. Look out for the UK’s only superyacht hotel, historic cranes, and the Oiler Bar, set in an old Royal Navy refuelling barge.

Super Yacht Hotel on Royal Victoria Docks

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6. River Medway Yalding to Maidstone – Kent Paddleboarding

River Medway Paddleboarding – Yalding to Maidstone

Discover historic oust houses, orchards, and ancient bridges on the way to Maidstone’s medieval centre on this 11km section of the Medway Canoe Trail. Launch in Yalding (110m walk from Yalding rail station) and head downstream passing Wateringbury Marina’s quirky café then grasslands and meadows of Teston Bridge Country Park. In Maidstone look out for 14th century Archbishops Palace and historic barge café, or extend the journey another 4km to Allington Lock. Note: Regular trains from London Charing Cross to Yalding (southeastern.com).

14th Century Archbishops Palace on the River Medway

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7. Stort Navigation Sawbridgeworth to Rye House – HertfordshirePaddleboarding

River Stort Paddleboarding

A rural journey through ancient parkland and peaceful meadows, this 15km one way trip provides a quiet escape from North London’s urban sprawl. With several rail stations along the route, paddlers can easily adjust the trip length. Launch at Sawbridgeworth (250m walk from Sawbridgeworth rail station), passing converted mill buildings, skirt the edge of Harlow and enjoy the unfolding beauty of the countryside and ancient hay meadows. Notes: Trains from London Liverpool Street to Sawbridgeworth, Harlow Town, Roydon, and Rye House (greateranglia.co.uk).

River Stort Converted Mill Buildings

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8. River Thames Marlow to Maidenhead – Buckinghamshire Paddleboarding

River Thames Paddleboarding Marlow to Maidenhead

One of the most picturesque journeys along the Thames meanders past Clivedon House, charming riverside towns, steep wooded hills, open meadows, and several excellent riverside inns. Start the 11km one way trip in Marlow (800m walk from Marlow rail station) and head downstream along the section of the river and Quarry Wood that inspired Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. Downstream Clivedon Reach offers one of the Thames’ most striking views. Towering chalk cliffs, covered in trees from around the world, rise above the river, crowned by the majestic Clivedon House. Notes: Rail stations at Marlow and Maidenhead, regular services from Paddington (gwr.com).

River Thames Paddleboarding Marlow to Maidenhead

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9. Oxford Canal and Wolvercote Loop – Oxfordshire Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding on the Oxford Canal & River Thames Wolvercote Loop

A 11.5km circular route along the Oxford Canal connects to the Thames via Duke’s Cut, with some classic landmarks and pitstops to see. Start from Isis Lock (250m walk from Oxford rail station) on the Oxford Canal to reach the cut into Wolvercote Mill Stream which joins the Thames at King’s Lock. Continue to the Trout Inn, of Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse fame, then on past the ruins of Godstow Abbey and favourite swimming spot, Port Meadow. Note: Oxford rail station, regular services from Paddington (gwr.com) and London Marylebone (chilternrailways.co.uk)

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10. Kennet and Avon Canal Midgham to Theale – Berkshire Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding on the Kennet and Avon Canal

A peaceful 9.4km one way journey along a section of the canalised River kennet that retains many of its chalk stream characteristics. With a couple of rail stations along the route, paddlers can easily adjust the trip length. Launch from Woolhampton Bridge (150m walk from Midgham rail station), near the lovely Rowbarge Inn. Drift past wooded banks to reach historic Aldermaston Wharf and café. Continue along further peaceful stretches of the canal to Sheffield Bottom Swing Bridge and 400m walk to Theale station. Note: Rail stations at Midgham, Theale and Aldermaston served by regular services from London Paddington (gwr.com).

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For over 100 paddleboard routes in London, Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire check out Lisa’s fantastic book Paddleboarding London and South East England: 100 places to SUP, Canoe and Kayak – £18.99, www.islandeering.com/shop

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By Lisa Drewe

OS Champion, Lisa Drewe,
Lisa Drewe is an author, explorer, and the founder of the website Islandeering, a personal project dedicated to helping people discover UK island adventures with purpose. She has already explored over 500 British islands, written award-winning guidebooks, and champions regenerative travel and conservation.
Lisa is now on a mission to visit (and in some cases revisit) all 82 islands featured on our print. Along the way, she’ll uncover their unique landscapes, wildlife, and communities, while sharing how visitors can explore responsibly and support island ecosystems. Find out more about Island82