Salisbury Loop | SUP Route of the Week

Discover one of the best paddleboarding routes in Wiltshire with this stunning SUP loop through Salisbury, featuring two tranquil rivers, views of Salisbury Cathedral, and the rich biodiversity of this rare chalk stream habitat.

This is route 90/107 in our latest book “Paddle Boarding South West England:100 places to SUP, canoe, and kayak in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bristol“

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🗺️ Route Overview

Launch into the crystal-clear River Nadder from the pontoon at Churchfields Industrial Estate and begin paddling downstream (left). Shortly after, take the right fork around Nadder Island to avoid a small weir. This area is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust sanctuary, home to reed warblers, kingfishers, and water rail.

Continue past overhanging willows to meet the River Avon and take the left fork. Glide through Harnham Water Meadows, an historic area of irrigated pastureland. Enjoy panoramic views of Salisbury Cathedral, famously captured by Constable.

Paddle past Fisherton Island, keeping left under the low road bridge and ‘rapids’. Take the right fork alongside Queen Elizabeth Gardens with the cathedral’s spire towering ahead.

Continue on the right fork, heading away from the city. Take the next right fork to Harnham Mill and enjoy playful paddling near the weir below the Old Mill — now a riverside hotel and pub. The beer garden here offers exceptional cathedral views.

Exit the river at the small beach to the left of the Old Mill, walk along the Town Path, then right along Middle Street to reach Middle Street Meadow. Cross the meadow northeast to rejoin the River Nadder and re-launch. Paddle left upstream back to the start, spotting egrets, dragonflies, and damsel flies.

🌿 Salisbury’s Rare Blue Space

The River Avon is a chalk stream — one of the world’s rarest freshwater habitats. Home to over 180 species of plants, a rich fish population, and countless aquatic invertebrates, the Avon is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

🛡️ Help preserve this ecosystem:

• Follow the British Canoeing Paddler’s Code

• Launch only at designated spots

• Wash your board and gear before entering the water

• Avoid standing or walking on the riverbed

Support conservation efforts through the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and The Rivers Trust.

🧾 Need to Know

Distance: 5.3km (including a 500m portage)
Licence Required: No
Skill Level: Intermediate (due to portage and occasional fast-flow sections)

Start Point: Riverside, off Newton Road, Churchfields Industrial Estate, Salisbury, SP2 7QA
Grid Ref: SU 128 300

Launch Point: Pontoon, 20m walk from roadside parking

Parking: Roadside on Newton Road

Pitstop Recommendation: The Old Mill Harnham
📞 01722 327517 — Great spot for food and drinks with cathedral views

Why not stay overnight right on the Salisbury SUP route?

Check prices and availability for the at the Old Mill, Harnham.

Getting There:

• Head SW on A36 into Salisbury

• At St Paul’s Roundabout, take 3rd exit (Fisherton Street)

• Under railway bridge, immediate R at mini-roundabout

• L at next mini-roundabout onto Mill Road

• 2nd exit at next mini-roundabout to Churchfields Road

• L onto Brunel Road, 2nd R onto Newton Road to park

Recommended kit for this route

There is a fair amount of portaging on the Salisbury SUP route

• To help you carry your essential kit use a dry bag rucksack
• Use our favourite water shoes – comfy for walking as well as paddling

⚠️ Safety & Seasonal Notes

• Paddle only in normal river conditions

• Avoid post-rainfall due to fast flow under Fisherton Bridge

• Lie flat on your board to pass under low bridges and negotiate minor rapids (not for beginners in high water)

• In late summer, the Nadder may become shallow and weed-choked (remove your fin if necessary)

• For portage return: In Middle Street Meadow, walk NE parallel to houses to grass crossroads. Cross straight and use any wooden walkway through reeds (note: walkways may be in poor condition)

🔍 Related Reads

• Top 5 Places to SUP in Somerset, Bristol and Bath

• What to Pack for Paddleboarding: Essential SUP Gear Checklist for Beginners

• The Ultimate Guide to Paddleboarding in the UK.