River Soar – Barrow Loop Easy Trail: Please be aware that the grading of this trail was set according to normal water levels and conditions. Weather and water level/conditions can change the nature of trail within a short space of time so please ensure you check both of these before heading out. Distance: 2.5 Miles Approximate Time: 1-2 Hours The time has been estimated based on you travelling 3 – 5mph (a leisurely pace using a recreational type of boat). Type of Trail: Circular Waterways Travelled: River Soar Navigation Type of Water: Rural canal and river Portages and Locks: 1 short portage around lock and also 1 short portage around weir Nearest Town: Leicester Start and finish: The Boat House, 14 Bridge St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 8PN Route Summary O.S. Sheets: 140 Leicester Licence Information: : A licence is required to paddle Experience the tranquility of this rural river and canal trail. on this waterway. See full details in useful information This is a short 3 mile loop paddle which includes a stretch below. of canal with a deep lock, weir and pretty willow-lined Local Facilities: Two pubs and a coffee shop enroute. length of the River Soar in North Leicestershire. Ideal for Boat hire also available from two providers, see route details below a shuttle free paddle. There are options to extend the loop to include Mountsorrel (7m) or Loughborough (11m). This route has been developed in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, and is part of a series of trails planned along the River Soar Navigation, part of the Soar Tour Canoe Trail. Start Directions Start at the Boat House Pub. Parking is available, please contact the pub, preferably in advance of your visit or on arrival. Page 1 of 5 Barrow Lock Description Starting from The Boat House Pub, head under the road bridge (which has a grade II historic listing) and turn left into the canal, towards the lock. The canal here is the Soar Navigation, running from Leicester through to Trent Lock on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire boarder. It takes in both sections of the river itself, and artificial cuts, and this trail makes use of the switch between the two to create a loop. After 100m a portage at the left bank is required. It runs over a service road to Proctor’s Pleasure Park and around the lock re-launching onto the canal on the right hand side. Continue along the canal for 600m until you reach Mill Lane Bridge. On the left bank is The Navigation Pub and on the right bank is Barrow Boating. This is an alternative start point. Both the pub and seasonal café at Barrow Boating have toilet facilities. 200m beyond the bridge is Barrow step weir on the right. The portage point is before the weir and is Barrow Lock clearly marked. The weir barrier has an open section towards the middle to allow experienced and suitably equipped Weir carrying the natural river away towards Alternative view of the weir, carrying the The Navigation Inn Quorn, portage to the left in this photo Soar off to the left Page 2 of 5 paddlers to shoot the weir. All weirs can be dangerous, and you should only shoot a weir if you are confident of your The Navigation Inn ability to do so. An inspection should be made from the footbridge running over the top of the weir to assess conditions. Also, care should be taken to check the clearance under this footbridge in high waters. If you are unsure of the conditions for you and fellow paddlers, use the portage point and re-launch from the small beach below the weir. The next section is on the natural course of the River Soar as it twists and turns towards Quorn. After a sharp right hand bend there is a large reed bed with a clear ‘S’ shaped channel leading to a metal footbridge. In very high water the clearance on this bridge can be very restrictive. An inspection from the left bank or the right hand bend in such conditions will inform the need to portage. This is a picturesque section of the route, with green field and farmland to both banks, with much wildlife interest, especially birds. Below the footbridge is one of the A6 road bridges and a more open flood plain. Power lines cross and lead to Mountsorrel quarry to the left of the river. The ‘Duke of Bridgewater’, on a left hand bend, is a second canal boat on the route that has made it upstream in winter floods to be used as a residential houseboat. The willow-lined river continues, turning as it approaches the old A6 entering Quorn. The river goes under another recently restored footbridge before passing Quorn Hall on the left bank. The Hall was built for the Quorn Hunt and housed the kennels. The navy commandeered it during the second war and the dominant brick extension was built. More recently it was a residential centre and canoe base for Leicestershire County Council but was sold in 2012. Past the grounds of the Hall, is a second bridge carrying the new A6 dual carriageway. A sharp left follows a sharp right bend and then the right hand bank is lined with residential houseboats. A return to the starting point is 250m from the bend to complete a 4k (2.5 mile) round trip. This trail has been developed in partnership with the Canal & River Trust’s Central Shires Waterways team. It is one of a number of trails to be released along the River Soar Navigation, and is part of the Soar Tour Canoe Trail. Useful Information For assessing the water level on the river use the Pillings Lock gauge. Though below Barrow this gives a good indication of river level for the loop - http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels/120753.aspx?stationId=2142 Please find time for a drink or meal at the pub in return for hospitality. Toilets and boat hire are available. The Barrow Boat House – contact 01509 412260 An alternative start point is Barrow Boating who also hire boats although parking is tight or on local streets. Barrow Boating can be contacted via http://www.barrowboating.co.uk/ Licences: The waterways in this trail are managed by Canal and Rivers Trust and require paddlers to hold a licence. If you are an existing British Canoeing member the good news is that your membership includes an annual licence for the waterways covered within this trail – please ensure you take your membership card with you on the water as this acts as your licence, if stopped with no licence, you will be at risk of being fined. You can buy a licence directly from Canal and Rivers Trust for this waterway or by becoming a British Canoeing member you’ll have a licence to cover you for a whole year. A British Canoeing membership gives you a whole range of benefits including licenses to paddle on 4500km of Britain's waterways and Civil Liability Insurance, worth up to £10 Million. If you are planning to paddle regularly this will save you great deal of money and hassle alongside having peace of mind. For more information on British Canoeing membership please click here Page 3 of 5 After significant rainfall, low trees and strong flows can make the River Soar a technical paddle. Look at the flow at the get in and assess whether you could paddle backwards in the flow. Ensure you take a small folding tree saw for any obstructing willow branches. Any brash you remove should be placed on the river bank and not left in the river. CANOEING SAFETY ADVICE Spending an afternoon or day canoeing on a Canoe Trail can be a fun way to experience nature, help you to stay fit and healthy and enjoy spending time with friends and family. It can also be a dangerous journey, if appropriate safety guidelines are overlooked. To help make sure you remain safe at all times, read on to see our canoeing safety advice guidelines. Wear appropriate clothing Always wear shoes. Rocks, rough terrain and river beds present serious hazards to boaters without the proper attire. Nearly 90% of all boating injuries are attributed to lack of proper footwear. Other canoe safe clothing includes hats, gloves, additional dry clothing, and layered items which can easily be removed. Take or wear a windproof top and course always wear a buoyancy aid - for children make sure the crotch straps are used. Be sure to: • Know the weather forecast and check the water conditions before you set out canoeing. There is an Environment Agency website where information concerning river levels can be found. We recommend checking this before heading out as the river levels can rise and fall quite quickly in wet or dry conditions. • Observe navigation rules for this waterway. • Check to see if there are any events on the waterways when you wish to travel. • Check that your equipment is well maintained and ready for the water. • Check that your boat has the required buoyancy to keep it afloat in the event of a capsize ALWAYS be certain to let others know where you’re going and when you’re expected to return. MAKE SURE that the journey you plan is within your capabilities. MAKE SURE you never paddle alone. Photo by James Carnegie Equipment Checklist Use the canoeing safety advice checklist below to make sure you have everything you need: • Boat • Paddle • Buoyancy Aid • Bailer/sponge • Small First Aid Kit • Phone (in a waterproof bag) • Drinking water and snacks • Suitable clothing for the weather After significant rainfall, low trees and strong flows can make the River Soar a technical paddle.