Kempston To Cardington Lock Full Day

Dates

Saturdays from May to September

Location

We have the perfect river location for paddlesports such as canoeing, kayaking and SUPs on the River Great Ouse, at Kempston Outdoor Centre near Bedford. It is well situated just 30 minutes from Milton Keynes, an hour North of London and half way between Cambridge and Oxford. 

Route Description

Starting at Kempston Outdoor Centre on a quiet part of the River Great Ouse you paddle downstream through leafy tree lined river banks towards Bedford. Its tranquil and teeming with wildlife allowing you to unwind and relax and enjoy the river scenery.  Keep your eyes peeled for a Kingfisher (listen out for a ‘peep’ noise),  followed by a blur of electric blue as it flies on ahead of you as well as terns, cormarants and even the rarer Mandarin duck.  The river winds back and forth and you will be paddling through more beautiful countryside and will pass through a series of small islands where you can pass on either side.

You will then reach the first of several bridges marking your arrival to Bedford. The first one is a wooden pedestrian bridge, with the Riverside path on your left and people's back gardens on your right. The second bridge is the railway bridge, followed by another pedestrian bridge and then a road bridge. From the railway bridge downstream you need to paddle on the right-hand side and you will probably see other river users such as motorboats and rowers. On your left just after the road bridge is Viking Kayak Club and Star Rowing Club and then the Riverside North development with cinema, hotel and eateries. Viking Kayak Club is a great place to learn and progress your new found paddling skills with an active membership.

You are now approaching Bedford Embankment, built by the Victorians as a tree lined River Promenade. You will notice the beautiful red brick buildings that Bedford has, with excellent examples of various ages of architecture. The next bridge you see is the stunning multi arch Town Bridge made of stone (vehicle and pedestrian), and once famous for imprisoning John Bunyan in the gaol on the bridge. John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress. After the bridge is the iconic Swan Hotel on your left and on the right-hand side, you will see the popular Park Inn Hotel and Bedford Rowing Club.

This section of the river is at its widest with a series of large islands where the River Great Ouse splits around the islands and you will pass Duckmill Weir, the Etienne Stott White Water Arena and the Bedford Lock. You are now heading towards a higher arch white suspension bridge just after the band stand.  Between the Suspension Bridge and the Butterfly Bridge is the portage to the lower river at the Longholme Cafe and schools boathouse.  The Longholme Cafe offers hot drinks and cake, more substantial meals and a place to refuel.

Once you have portaged onto the lower river continue downstream and under the pedestrian bridge and old railway Bridge (called the Brain line as it linked Cambridge and Oxford universities).  You pass by Oasis Pool and down past Priory Marina home to TV presenter Max McMurdo from Grand Desigs fame. You paddle a long straight and turn left on a longer bend and past Bedford Boat Club and moorings on the final leg of your journey. Its once again a quieter stretch as you paddle down to your finish at Cardington Lock.

You pass by the Kingfisher Hotel on the right bank and Cardington Artificial Slalom Course on the left bank one of the first slalom courses in the country. A few hundred metres later and you reach Cardington Lock where the team will meet you for the complimentary shuttle back to the start for your driver (and rest of the group when we are quieter).  Cardington lock is also a great bit of river history as it was built by Smeaton, known as the father of Civil Engineering. Smeaton was one of the original pioneering designers of light houses saving a great many lives.

This trip is just over 7km in distance and perfect for all comers, families, children and enthusiastic paddling types. We shuttle you back to the start of your journey with a complimentary lift.