Kent-Activity
Paddleboarding-Chartham to Canterbury
Paddleboarding-Chartham to Canterbury
Today, the Great Stour, classified as a chalkstream for the length of this route, remains one of the cleanest rivers in South-East England, its clear waters home to brown trout, eels, pike, and a variety of birdlife. Two paddling routes offer exploration of the city a longer route from Chartham to Canterbury, and a shorter one from Toddlers Cove.
A full route description can be found in our book Paddleboarding South East
Distance From Chartham 5.5km (one way); from Toddler’s Cove 2.3km (return)
Starting Point Great Stour Way footpath, Chartham. Grid ref. TR 110 551; What3Words romance.originals.format; or Great Stour Way footpath, Toddlers Cove. Grid ref. TR 142 576; What3Words closes.mash.player.
Egress Abbott’s Mill Grass area on Millers Arms side of Abbott’s Mill Weir, Mill Lane, The King’s Mile, Canterbury, Kent, England, CT1 2AW. Grid ref. TR 149 581; What3Words flown.fines.allow.
Parking Chartham Community Centre, Station Road, Chartham, CT4 7HZ. Grid ref. TR 107 550; What3Words lifeguard.rollers.tomb. Toddlers Cove Toddler’s Cove Toddler’s Cove Car Park (charges), Great Stour Way, Wincheap, Canterbury, CT2 8BG. Grid ref. TR 142 577; What3Words drum.enjoy.audit. Canterbury St. Radigund’s Car Park, St. Radigund’s Street, Canterbury, CT1 2AA. Grid ref. TR 149 582; What3Words dart.hill.walks.
Rail Direct trains from St Pancras International to Chartham and Canterbury West www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
Launching Chartham walk to Great Stour Way off S corner of car park, launch downstream of weir; Toddler’s Cove short walk from car park to river.
Pitstops Ales, pies and roasts in historic country pub a short walk from river, The Artichoke,
Getting there A28 Canterbury towards Ashford. Turn L to Chartham, then L into car park.
Special points
Check the river level before you paddle https://riverlevels.uk/great-stour-chartham-horton-weir. Use river fins to minimise drag from summer weed growth. Once in the city you will be sharing the water with Punters with varying levels of ability!
Chartham to Canterbury Paddleboard route map
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