UKC

I'd like a bit of advice on a paddling trip.

My wife and I have a Sunfish double sit-on kayak, we got from Cambridge Kayaks a few years ago. 

We've used this happily on easy calm rivers (Cam, and Broads), short bursts of coastal paddling in both easy and choppy waters (Suffolk coast, and Torbay); a day spent going down the River Dart to the estuary and back, following the turn of the tide.

We also did the River Wye from Symonds Yat down to Monmouth, but were stupid enough to shoot the Symonds Yat rapid with an overloaded craft and few skills, and turned it over. No harm done apart from getting wet, but not really something we fancy repeating.

We're not really bothered about getting advanced skills for technical waters; just having nice days out; and tbh we haven't really used it as much as we've wanted.

At the end of July, we've got a few days free of the kids, looking to do something a bit more ambitious than previous trips of a few hours. Noting we are competent enough on easy stuff but not really competent for rough / technical stuff, we'd like recommendations for:

• An interesting, scenic stretch of Grade 1 river in England for a two day trip; where one person can return to the start on public transport at end of days and 2 to get the car (as the boat will not really take overnight gear); where it's not so calm as to be dull, but any grade 2 stretches can be portaged past easily?
• A good area for easy, safe coastal paddling, where you can have a good full day out, and return to start, without risk of battling gnarly currents, etc.
• A good combination beginners river / estuary / coast trip, one day or two?

... and that with a start point no more than 5 hours from Cambridge.

Reading that back, that looks ridiculously specific but I'm sure there must be some paddlers on here who can advise...

Poole Harbour? Various bits you can do around there. I've launched with groups from Hamworthy, you could also launch from Wareham. Do be careful with tides, though - a lot of it is mud flats at low tide. Also, stay well away from the chain ferry, especially around when the tide is dropping. I've also seen people paddling between Studland and Swanage when the conditions are favourable - I've got relatives who go fishing on double sit-on-tops from Swanage.

Don't sit out in the shipping channel off Studland waiting to surf the wake of the cross channel ferries though

Otherwise, there's various stretches of the Thames and/or Kennet & Avon canal you can paddle with reasonable public transport links.

River Arun, past Arundel - think my Cousin goes paddleboarding around there. Might be a bit trickier on logistics.

One tactic is to plan your route and stash a (folding?) bike for one of you at the end point of your day - then it's easier to get to a train station.

Closer to home, there are various bits you can paddle in London - I've done a day trip from Limehouse basin up the Thames to London Bridge in canoes (can be choppy), but you can also paddle some of the backwater bits, like the River Lea. I'm sure someone with more local knowledge of that will be along at some point.

Not sure I would go for that without someone knowledgeable in charge since making sure you arent in the way of the bigger boats can be fun.

To answer a slightly different question than the OP asked I would suggest buying the book "Pub Paddles - The Best Short Paddling Trips in the South of England". Whilst its a bunch of day trips (to a pub for lunch and back again) might work with a couple fairly close to each other.

Whilst my preference is for grade 2+ did buy the book for my dad and done several of days out on a inflatable two person sit on top. 

Maybe start Exeter, and paddle the river through the city then down the estuary to Exmouth?

Start near St David's Station,  lots of parking. Short bit of urban river which is not the prettiest but it is interesting,  then down through the historic Quay. A couple of big weirs, but they can be easily bypassed.

You could do a section of the Exeter Canal at this point, but it can be a long dull paddle.  I would stay with the river. Ideally high tide would be around the time you reach this point, so about an hour in.

The tidal bit is reached soon and it's lovely with some v nice houses backing onto it and then some v nice boats moored on it. 

If you got the tide right and it's still high but on the ebb, Topsham is a lovely place to stop and get refreshments or wander. Slightly further on the W side is Turf Lock Hotel, at the bottom end of the Canal. Great beer and food. You might be able to pull up on the shore, but if not as the mud is now exposed there is a good pontoon by the steps at the far end of the beer garden.

Head on down the river, which could be a straight paddle or a windy one as the sand and mud appear and you follow the channel.

At Starcross (pier and Brunel Pump Station make it easy to spot) there is a floating restaurant mid river. Food is amazing but expensive so maybe just stop for a drink. Last mile to Exmouth now amongst big sand banks which are worth pulling up on and exploring. 

At Exmouth pull into Shelly beach by the yacht club.

You can finish here and one person has a 10min walk to Exmouth Railway Station and an easy direct train back to St David's Station where you started.

Day 2. Sea. Loads of it. East coast towards Budleigh, or West to Dawlish and Teignmouth. Normally either is fine, but obviously check the forecast and especially wind strength and direction.  The mouth of the estuary can be a bit sporty with a 8knt+ tidal race, but that can be easily avoided by looking and route selection. 

The Great Orme. Park at west shore beach, paddle leisurely around the headland spotting seals, seabirds and climbers. Finish at North shore beach, have an ice cream. Portage back to the car, or just nip over and fetch it. Day 2, go up or down the Conwy estuary: castles, scenery. Need a high tide. 

North landing Flamborough. Head West towards Bempton for thousands of seabirds. Or head east to explore amazing sea caves. High tide is best.

Going all the way round to Selkirk Bay is great, but a few notches more serious, as you'd be exposed to more wind and current. 

 Not sure I would recommend that for the OP. I’ve done it many times using sit in sea kayak. The sea off the point of the Great Orme before turning to North Landing can be very turbulent, especially where the prevailing westerly wind and meets an ebbing tide, worse if there’s a wind coming down the Conwy valley. It can be very hard to assess what conditions will be like when launching from West Shore.

Can be very nice, however the prevailing Westerly wind is off shore and can cause problems, as would any swell from the North Sea. However tidal flows are small  so easier to reverse your journey should conditions be less than ideal.

Thanks very much. Not so drawn to the Thames or canal options, but Poole Harbour does look interesting.

Thanks. That does look great. Will look into it further including the tide tables.

Cheers to all who replied with both recommendations and words of caution... we'll check these against the UK Rivers guidebook site and take a pick, also being careful about weather on the day. Thanks all.