Little Riverside

Canoeing

Hire a Canoe for a Day

We provide canoe, paddles, bouyancy aids and instruction if you need it. No previous experience required. Bring a picnic and prepare for a peaceful paddle on one of Devon’s most beautiful and unspoilt rivers. Cost £25 per canoe per day. Canoes available daytime or evening throughout the year.

Here are a few suggestions of things you can do by canoe:

Canoe to the shops

Paddle from the door downstream past the steam railway, the special breeds farm, under the town bridge and moor next to the Plains (after the trees) at the bottom of the High St. All the grocery shops you will need are within easy reach. Annies the greengrocers, the fresh fish shop and the cheese shop are in Ticklemore St. Through the alleyway is the butchers, McCabes and Greenlife, one of the biggest independent health food shops in the country. And if you have to Morrisons is there just there as well.

You could then call in to Fat Lemons Cafe, or the Royal Seven Stars Hotel for well-earned recuperation and refreshment before paddling back hunter-gatherer fashion, canoe laden with goodies.

Canoe to the pub

A short distance past the town bridge you will arrive at the Steam Packet. Tie your canoe up and go up the steps provided for river visitors. The food is excellent. After a meal or just a beer paddle back by moonlight.

Go on a canoeing picnic

Paddling upstream you will shortly be in the magnificent Dartington Estate. Its grassy banks are asking to be picnicked on and the river to be swum in. You’ll see kingfishers, herons, swans, ducks, dabchicks, buzzards, and cormorants. We have heard of several sightings of a terrapin going back over 15 years. You might also be lucky enough to see otters. The steam train runs up and down the Dart valley on the opposite bank.

Canoe further afield

Downstream, you can paddle to the sea at Dartmouth. Leaving Totnes you will paddle past the Sharpham Estate with its world famous winery, cafes and dairy herds producing milk for their delicious cheese. Alternatively break at Stoke Gabriel on river left where you will find a more accessible cafe for refreshment. Carry on through Dittisham, stop for another leisurely break at the Ferry Inn and then push on for the last leg to Dartmouth. Its a long journey which you could do all or just a part of. The local tide tables will help you to plan your trip. At a leisurely pace with brief stops you could arrive in Dartmouth in 3 hours.

Kayaking

Passionate kayakers have a look athttp://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/swengland.htm

White Water Weekends

White water weekends are from 1st October to 31st January. Come on a Thursday evening and leave sometime on Monday. Accommodation will be in Little Riverside, a modern double bedroom apartment. During your stay you will get 2 days instruction tailor made to your level of experience on the river teaching all the basic skills to get you started as a competent white water paddler. You dont need any previous experience and if required we provide the kayak and all the necessary equipment at no extra charge.

BCU qualifying courses.

Ask about our 1-3 star courses in kayak or canoe