Paddleboarding-Stort Navigation

Paddleboarding-Stort Navigation

A rural journey through ancient parkland and peaceful meadows, the River Stort Navigation offers paddlers a quiet escape from the urban sprawl of North London, with several rail stations conveniently along the way to tailor the trip to your preferred length with pub stops on the way

A full route description can be found in our book Paddleboarding South East

Distance from Sawbridgeworth to Harlow Town 7km one way; to Roydon Station 11.8km one way; to Rye House Station 15km one way.

Paddling environment: Canal

Access restrictions Licence required, included with Paddle UK membership.

Starting Point West riverbank north of road bridge, off Station Road, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9JY; Grid ref. TL 488 149; What3Words hurls.ranges.filled.

Parking Sawbridgeworth Rail Station (charges); or free roadside parking on nearby Leat Close, off Station Road, CM21 9LZ. Grid ref. TL 485 151; What3Words logs.violin.reform.

Launching Leave station car park, turn left to walk 200m along RHS of Station Road over bridge then to the end of the fence line ; launch on river bank beyond the bench.

Pitstops breakfast and great sandwiches, The Shed Coffee House, Sawbridgeworth, 01279 723853; well-cooked pub fare, Harlow Mill Beefeater, Harlow Mill, tel. 01279 217535; brewery bar and taproom (Sat. pm) and shop (Mon – Sat), Redchurch Brewery, tel. 01279 626895; good value foos and riverside garden, Moorhen Pub, Moorhen Marina, tel. 01279 423066; real ales and pub grub in old-world style pub with riverside garden, Rye House just over bridge, tel, 01992 465151.

Getting there Sawbridgeworth Rail Station, West Anglia Mainline; direct trains/or change at Harlow Town from London Liverpool Street.

Special points

Check local water conditions at Bishops Stortford before you paddle https://riverlevels.uk/flood-warning-river-stort-at-bishops-stortford

Seven locks to portage to Rye House

River Stort Navigation Paddleboard Route