Canoe Camping Trips on the River Medway Canoe Trail
Some of the most frequent questions we get asked are around the possible options for canoe camping trips on the river. This guide aims to help you decide on your own canoe camping adventure and suggests a couple of the trips that have been popular with our clients in the past. There is a lot of additional information on our website in the Resources section to help you plan your trip in detail so visit www.elveys-canoe.co.uk for more information.
The Medway Canoe Trail
The canoe trail is 27km long, starts at Tonbridge and finishes at Allington Lock where the river becomes tidal. Yalding is approximately 13km downriver from Tonbridge so roughly in the middle of the trail. There are 9 locks between Tonbridge and Allington and 7 of these have canoe passes.
Campsites - Formal or Informal?
What type of campsite you want will determine what route options might work best for you? There are 4 “formal” campsites along the canoe trail between Tonbridge and Allington and these offer toilet/shower and running water facilities on or close to the site.
• Hop Farm Campsite • Marlin Campsite (toilet, shower, running water available at EA facility opposite) • Barming Bridge Campsite • Allington Lock Campsite
More information about the formal campsite including contact details can be found in the River Medway Camping section on our website below. http://www.elveys-canoe.co.uk/river_medway_camping.php
There are also “informal” camping options at a number of the locks along the trail. There are no facilities at these locks so you are virtually wild camping and need to have everything with you. The Environment Agency allow canoe camping at the locks as long as you camp responsibly and are
considerate to others using the river and the footpaths. Although there are 9 locks between Tonbridge and Allington we suggest the following locks as being more suitable to wild camp at:
• Eldridges Lock • Porters Lock • East Lock • Oak Lock
Canoe or Kayak
Most groups use canoes which have more carrying capacity than the kayaks, however if you plan on camping light, the tandem kayaks do also have capacity to take enough kit for a weekend. Some groups use a combination of canoes and kayaks with the canoes carrying the bulkier items.
Paddling - One Way Trip or Return?
One way trips are great but do require additional planning around the transport logistics for arrival and departure (with camping kit). We deliver boats to the start and collect them from the finish but we do not provide passenger transport so you need to factor in making your own arrangements for this which may involve trains, taxis or multiple vehicles, leaving some at the start and some at the finish.
Many people assume you can only paddle in one direction down the river however the River Medway between Tonbridge and Allington has virtually no movement in the summer months therefore it is easy to paddle in both directions opening up the possibility of paddling to a destination campsite one day and then paddling back to the start the next day – a “return trip“
Return trips are popular with those wanting a canoe camping experience but with the simplified logistics of starting and finishing at the same point. This often suits those travelling by car.
Suggested Trips
There are multiple options for canoe camping on the river depending on whether you want a 1 way or return trip, paddling time v’s camping time and whether you prefer formal or informal campsite options. By using the Journey Planner below you can check what options may work for you but here are a few suggestions based on trips that have been popular with our customers in the past.
Tonbridge to Allington – The Full Canoe Trail (formal camping)
This one way trip covers the full length of the canoe trail and is typically completed over 2 days. For a 2 day trip, we suggest you use the Marlin Campsite at Yalding as this splits the overall trip into 2 days of similar distances and paddling times (approximately 13 km per day and 4 hours paddling as an average). The Marlin site is a small site run by the local canoe club (Whitewater Action Medway) and we recommend you book as far in advance as possible.
If you want to take your time and paddle the trail over a longer period you can extend the trip to 3 days by starting at Tonbridge and paddling to the Hop Farm campsite on day 1, continuing to Barming Bridge campsite on day 2 and then continuing to Allington Lock on day 3. At the finish there are good camping facilities at Allington Lock if you want to spend a 4th night under canvas or maybe reward yourself with one of their “luxurious” camping cabins!
Yalding to Barming Bridge return (formal camping)
This is a nice easy return trip completed over 2 days. On day 1 you paddle downriver from Yalding to the campsite at Barming Bridge. The next day you paddle back. Teston Country park is a little over mid-way and makes a nice stopping off point both days and has a double canoe chure for some added fun!
The distance from Yalding to Barming Bridge is relatively short (approximately 7km each way) which may suit those wanting a shorter paddle and longer camping experience including families with younger children. Some people paddle to Barming Bridge, set up camp and then enjoy a later short paddle down to East Farleigh and back.
Yalding to Porters Lock return (informal camping)
This is another nice return trip that works well for those who do not mind an informal campsite and don’t want any complicated transport logistics. Starting at Yalding you head up the river approximately 8.5km to Porters Lock. The trip does require portages at the 3 locks before Porters (Sluice, Oak, East) so do bear this in mind if you go for this option. Porters is usually a quieter lock because it is early in the journey for those paddling 1 way from Tonbridge and who are therefore more likely to camp further down river. On the next days return journey you have the option of going down 4 canoe chutes at the locks which provides some added excitement to this trip!
Journey Planner