Paddle from the picturesque Dorset seaside town of Christchurch, along the River Avon and River Stour, as part of a short and peaceful loop. Ideal for all abilities and all craft. (Waterways licence required. Find out more).
Distance: 2km
Time: 1 hour
Sat Nav: BH23 1AZ
What3Words: ///soup.plus.easy
We parked at the Bridge Street pay and display car park, in Christchurch. It has a public toilet block, including an accessible loo.
There’s a slipway to get on to the River Avon next door to the toilets, which is ideal for people with disabilities and mobility problems.
The route was suggested by Will Behenna, the founder of Inclusive Paddleboarding, who joined us on the trip.
Will suffered a spinal injury, as a teenager, leaving him paralysed from the chest down.
He created a seat to enable people with a range of disabilities and physical and mental health conditions, to get out paddleboarding.
Inclusive Paddleboarding run courses and workshops that support people with a range of needs in the Dorset area. Find out more on their website >>
After launching, we took a right and ducked under Bridge Street and headed north.
The tide was coming in so the water levels were high.
There were a number of gardens under water as we paddled past.
As the loop is quite sheltered and has a gentle flow, it’s ideal for novice paddlers who are still building their technique and confidence.
You pass meadows and woodlands before passing back under Bridge Street.
After the bridge, you’ll see to your right you will see the ruins of a large Norman Castle.
Alongside is a 12th century riverside chamber block known as the Norman House.
After passing a marina, and paddling a little further on, take a left to complete the loop.
You could reward yourself with refreshments at the SUP School on your right before heading back to the slipway.
However, we decided to explore the Christchurch area more.
We had the option to go south towards Christchurch Harbour, but with the high tide and strong winds, it didn’t feel safe.
No licence is required for paddling in harbours, but please check our guidance on paddling.
Also, learn more about offshore winds >>
On a calmer, more pleasant day, the harbour, with its nature reserves, would be a perfect place to explore.
There are also three designated bathing beaches which attract large numbers of visitors.
Instead, we continued west on the River Stour towards Christchurch Town Quay.
Around the quay you’ll pass lots of moored boats, many with ducks sitting on their sides.
As you paddle you will see the magnificent 11th Century Christchurch Priory poking above the trees.
The further along the Stour you go you’ll notice how popular it is with for anglers.
As the Paddlers’ Code states, please always be nice, say hello and share the space.
Lost in conversation and busy spotting kingfishers and herons, we ended up getting as far as Iford Weir, about 5km from where we started.
Thankfully, with the flow, it didn’t take us too long to get back to Bridge Street.