Easy canoe day trip on the River Avon near Bath

This short day trip has become a favourite of mine over this last spring and summer, being fairly close to Bristol and Bath. It’s an easy 5 mile paddle of the ‘figure of eight loop’ on the River Avon - starting at Limpley Stoke, downstream to Warleigh weir, a short portage across the railway line at Claverton pumping station to the Kennet & Avon canal and across the Dundas aqueduct back up to Limpley Stoke.
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Edited in FCPX
Music: Epidemicsound.com
Voiceover recorded by David Oliver: Davidolivermusic.com
Bird recordings (kingfisher, wren, green woodpecker) by Alexander Henderson at: www.xeno-canto.org/contributor/HYKVPYDPHP
(thanks for kind permission)

[@stephentree3466]

A leap from my lap uncontrolled . I shall absolutely save this next adventure for when I’m best rest’ed prostrate and secure under eider down and envious of your adventures . These films continue to be jaw dropping in both their quality and subtle editing . Personally , I can’t thank you enough for your efforts . Bloody genius

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for that very kind comment Stephen, kind of makes it all worthwhile. It does take a shed load of effort when sometimes all one wants to do is just paddle and look at the kingfishers. If this inspires others to try the same trip then I'm happy. I first read about this short trip on ‘Song of the Paddle’ canoe forum last year, so it's gone full circle!

[@richardcoverdale832]

Great video, Andy. I finally got round to paddling from Bath to Bristol last weekend. It's well worth it but, there are quite a few locks to contend with along the way. Stop in the chequers for a well-earned pint!

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice! I did a stretch from Saltford towards Bath a couple of weeks ago, I have to say I didn't enjoy it as much as this stretch of the Avon though. The Avon valley is very peaceful and quiet in comparison. Yes, I've been googling the Avon from Bath to Bris on maps, there are quite a few weirs & locks. Did you paddle/shoot the weir at the Jolly Sailor pub? Apparently, it's doable with the right water levels.

[@penelopehedley1514]

Another great video Andy, love it, I am enjoying a bit of escapism, watching your adventures, brilliant and thanks for sharing . It’s a bright note, to cheer people up, regarding the present situation and covid.

[@MrAndyballard]

Escapisms got it's place! can't wait to get out on the river again soon, maybe take a few trips further afield 😉

[@penelopehedley1514]

@@MrAndyballard 👌 that would be amazing 😀

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Is it the music...is it the filming and editing.....is it the place.....the canoeing? It is obviously all these things, and has enabled me to look past Covid 19 and get out on the water. Pure bliss, thank you again. Again someone else has put it better, Stephen Tree below...............

[@MrAndyballard]

Very kind comment Laurie, it makes it all worthwhile to get positive appreciative comments like yours. I actually got out on my local river (the Yeo) on Sunday for some ‘essential paddling’ without which I would have gone insane by now. Glad you enjoyed the adventure. I really hope to get out on more rivers this summer and film the trips.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

@@MrAndyballard I'm desperate to get on on my local river, or the Broads nearby(ish) but now, can we? Can we camp? Makes your films all the more appreciated!

[@lauriebloggs8391]

....Suffolk Stour

[@MrAndyballard]

@@lauriebloggs8391 Strange times indeed... I can't answer that, but secluded rivers would be one of the safest places to be surely 👍

[@tomstockham7400]

Another addictive film. You travels are great, but the filming makes them very inspiring. So looking forward to the next journey.

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers Tom. Well if it's inspiring that's great, pleased to hear it. Might return to that stretch of river once the water levels rise a bit.

[@GaryThomsonJoinery]

Not sure why this would pop up in my KZbin feed but I love it, thanks for sharing, nice break from all the other nonsense 👍📐🔨😄

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one, cheers... nature's medicine, it's what we all need right now.

[@LatitudesWildernessFilms]

I'm officially subscribed. Andy this is magical, I've never seen anything like this before. Stunning visually with such a variety of beautiful shots and drone footage that is not overused, it's just right. The music suits the calming mood and ambient audio of water and nature is pure joy. I'm a big fan of your film style Andy, well done!

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks, that's given me a real lift on this grey UK morning hearing that. I try and go the extra mile and think of new angles and views to give the edit some style, I'm glad it's being noticed. As you're well aware of I'm sure it does take a considerable effort to set up these different shots as well as actually paddling the river. It does sometimes take over. I'm looking forward to getting out on my local river next week hopefully as it's due to warm up a bit.

[@cwgray63]

Thanks for another great river tout mate! Seems whenever I see your new video offerings, it's after a hard day and I'm unwinding in the evening. Such a pleasure to unwind and almost immerse myself it your experience. Always so relaxed and professionally put together. Keep em coming Andy! Oh, I love the little bit of trickery at the end!

[@MrAndyballard]

Always good to see you pop up on here Chris. This offering has been kindly put forward as a nomination for a film competition on a paddlers forum that I subscribe to: Song of the Paddle, here in the UK. I'd love to do a stretch of the Murray over east one of these days, between NSW & Victoria, who knows hey?

[@cwgray63]

Sadly you may have to drag the thing down parts of the Murray these days mate.

[@JosephStealin]

I’m wondering if I can do something similar. I live near the Brecon Monmouth canal I’m wondering if I can get up the canal and down the Usk river. The Usk seems to have some challenging parts to it for a Canadian canoe though

[@MrAndyballard]

Sounds like a great place to live! I come over to the Wye once a year, love it. I'd also love to paddle the Usk. I've never tried. Apparently it's not so straight forward as the fishing authority gets a bit stroppy and throws their weight around quite a bit. You can paddle it I'm sure, look up the best put in spots on paddlepoints website, easy.

[@stevesgrowingspace]

Hello, I came over from Marks channel, the Wye Explorer. That looked like a lovely place to canoe, Although I wouldn't fancy your chances right now, with all the rivers in flood. Thanks for taking me along. all the best steve

[@MrAndyballard]

Yes, this stretch of the Avon is a beautiful place (in the right conditions). I expect it's way high at the moment like you say. The Wye is absolutely bonkers at the mo, the TV footage I've just watched is scary. Hope to do a couple of canoe trips on the Wye in the spring/summer once it's calmed down, it's an amazing river - although it has a wild side which it's showing right now. Cheers for stopping by!

[@dovershark0492]

Lovely, great production.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for the positive comment !

[@PaddlingTramp]

Great video!

[@MrAndyballard]

many thanks.

[@dex736]

Only just come across your channel today. Absolutey loving your videos, You've rekindled an interest in a forgotten past of canoeing. roll on the end of this lock down and look forward to seeing any new videos you do this year. Keep up the fantastic work

[@MrAndyballard]

Much appreciated comment, thank you. There are a few canoe trip vids of various Wye outings on here too you might enjoy. I'm aching for the river at the moment, it's cruel... the sun's shining and we're locked inside. There's an irony in there somewhere about washed out cold bank holidays I'm sure.

[@dex736]

@@MrAndyballard how do you find your "hou" not too many reviews online and I'm seriously tempted by either the 13' or 14' for 2-3 day trips

[@MrAndyballard]

@@dex736 Unbelieveable... I typed a long reply and hit ‘post’ and my bloody internet died... I'll do it again later!!

[@MrAndyballard]

@@dex736 Here we go again… I couldn’t find any reviews of the Hou 13 either. TBH when I looked for a 13ft canoe Hou was the first co. that I found who were English based. I ordered through Canoe & Kayak Store. in Berkeley Gloucester as they are the stockists around these parts (south west UK). It’s perfect for solo trips… I pack a fair bit of camera gear on trips along with a tripod, tent, kip bag, food, spare clothes etc. It’s a pretty tight fit, but not overloaded by any means either. My mate has a 16ft Prospector and I find that to be a bit unwieldy at the put in and take out. My 13ft fits nicely on top of my Jimny 4x4 and that’s not a very long vehicle. It also handles itself in white water pretty well too, it feels stable and not tippy at all. I’d recommend it highly.

[@thetriphome4854]

Thanks for the video Andy. I'm doing a car tour around the Cotswolds this weekend and reckon this would be a good route to try in the packraft on Sunday.

[@MrAndyballard]

Ah nice ! Yes, I've seen packrafts on this river, SUPs too, it suits all watercraft. I'm itching to get out on the river too, altho the wind's forecast to be quite strong for the next few days. The Avon is actually pretty sheltered in some of those valleys, enjoy!

[@thetriphome4854]

@@MrAndyballard I noticed high winds are forecast but we'll see what it's like on the day. Handy tip to park at the layby though as I don't know the area at all.

[@MrAndyballard]

@@thetriphome4854 That layby can get a bit tricky to park at... you may well be lucky, morning time is good especially if it's not blazing sun as it's a popular spot. An alternative to put in is Bradford on Avon Tithe barn, there's a paid parking meter and lots of space and a good put in into the Avon. Same route just longer day trip. There's a vid on my channel of this longer trip.

[@thetriphome4854]

@@MrAndyballard Awww, that's a great tip and much appreciated! I'll have a look at the other video.

[@thetriphome4854]

@@MrAndyballard Hey Andy, the kayaking trip was awesome yesterday so thanks again for the tip. Got to bridge 175 at Limpley Stoke around 3pm (small breeze, blazing sunshine) and there was 1 parking spot (the closest one to the bridge too!). We looked at the put-in on the Avon but my girlfriend didn't fancy going over that swirl on the other side of the bridge (and I didn't fancy doing it with her panicking in the boat either :) so we decided to just put-in next to bridge 175 on the Kennet & Avon Canal instead and paddle up to Dundas Aquaduct. A group of narrow boaters were playing instuments and singing so we just sat at Brass Knockers Basin for 3 hours listening to them and sunning ourselves. Beautiful day!!!

[@fisherrich100]

Great video, there is something very special about being on water. At one with nature.

[@MrAndyballard]

There certainly is! liquid valium I reckon (without the side effects)

[@Martin-kq3qw]

So lucky to have a spot like that. Superb footage, keep up the good work atb Martin

[@MrAndyballard]

Yeah, it beats my closest river (the Yeo). I call it a ‘proper river’, cheers Martin.

[@mandycampbell329]

Stunning Andy! Putting that on my bucket list 👍

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks Mandy, it's a lovely stretch of water. I'm sure you've got some cracking rivers up there... the Lake district springs to mind.

[@kevintwine8443]

Fantastic

[@WyeExplorer]

I missed this one Andy, beautiful film. There was plenty in there to interest the river dweller. I agree with the perspective you get from the water either on it or in it. There is no other perspective like it. I look forward to getting back in there myself. I have to say parts of this river reminded me of the Lugg. If you paddle it you'll find much of it rich. Any way, all the best. Mark

[@MrAndyballard]

Thank you Mark, it now seems like the distant past. I'm yearning for a paddle on the river now. What I'd give to dip my paddle in the Wye right now. You're closer than me alright, I would imagine you could manage a sly dip!

[@WyeExplorer]

@@MrAndyballard A pleasure Andy. Yeah the Wye is half mile from me. As for a dip it seems wrong to enjoy myself to much if you get my meaning but it is still exercise. Take care mate - see you on the other side of this thing.

[@MrAndyballard]

@@WyeExplorer Half a mile! crikey lovely... on yer doorstep, be good to meet you one day on the river when this whole sorry episode is over and done with. Stay healthy!

[@WyeExplorer]

@@MrAndyballard Yes Andy only a stones throw. I've was going to canoe the Wye this year but alas that might be off. I'd be honored to organize that with you for some other time. Peace bro.

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Short but sweet as they say. It’s a beautiful spot.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks Martin, I'm planning to visit after heavy rain just to see the water flowing over that weir under the bridge. Might do a ‘low water/high water’ vid comparison.

[@scottjock]

Love the video. Where did you park in Lympley Stoke please?

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks, theres a small layby after the bridge on the left going up the hill... it gets a bit busy its just a matter of chance if theres a space available!

[@scottjock]

Thanks Andy

[@Guide504]

Looks great ! What licences/launching fees etc, do you need for kayaking on the canal and river? I have only used my boats on the sea so its all a bit new? Many thanks.

[@MrAndyballard]

I can't say what licences you need tbh. The river's a river... but I guess on the canal the waterways authority may insist you have some sort of licence. I think you're covered if you join the British Canoe Association. At the risk of sounding a bit cavalier - the notion of having to be licenced to paddle on a river is a bit beyond me, what next? a licence to breathe the god given air all around us? Where does it end?

[@Guide504]

@@MrAndyballard hi Andy many thanks for coming back to me. My wife found a Canal and Rivers trust website that apparently sells licences for canal and river. 30 individual day tickets for £38, i would imagine there are set places to launch?

[@Guide504]

@@MrAndyballard hear you on the freedom thing but who pay for the up keep. The US parks and wildlife have a great system. I have used it for hunting trekking fishing and wild camping in certain areas. The UK can be a serious buzz kill where the automatic answer to everything is NO or fill out these forms and pay ex only to be so disillusioned by the time you're allowed to do anything you just don't want to on principal. Great videos by the way, may be see you on the water. Stay well, safe and free!

[@JamesJoyce-gk5jf]

I know this video is 4 years old but have you done this recently? If so what are the water levels like on the Avon as I'm thinking of doing this at the weekend. Thanks

[@MrAndyballard]

@JamesJoyce-gk5jf I haven't paddled it recently no. But after all the rain we've had I reckon it will be fine to paddle. Usually sept/Oct is a great time.

[@JamesJoyce-gk5jf]

@@MrAndyballard Thanks for the reply 👍

[@marmac567]

Hi, great bit of film,,,,, is a licence needed for the KA in canoe?? thanks,,

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers. You've lost me there... KA?

[@marmac567]

@@MrAndyballard Kennet Avon KA, Thanks

[@MrAndyballard]

@@marmac567 Ah I see.. doh. I suppose, strictly speaking you may have to possess a licence to paddle on canals? Crikey, we'll need a licence to wipe our own behinds at some point I guess.

[@rnbmeister]

@@MrAndyballard you get a waterways license which covers most of the managed waterways in the UK with membership of the BCU. The BCU are understandably advocates for paddlers and the access to water so not a bad organisation to support.

[@MrAndyballard]

@@rnbmeister Thanks for that Alex, anything that advocates for paddlers and for future access is good news!

[@rattytattyratnett]

Where did you launch from at limpley Stoke?

[@MrAndyballard]

by the old bridge, there's a footpath that goes right past the river. It's a bit steep, but doable.

[@carlopolli3995]

Where did you put in mate? Limpley Stoke?

[@MrAndyballard]

Yes, on this one I put in at the bridge in limpley Stoke, there's a nice little bankside put in. I prefer putting in at Bradford on Avon tythe barn tho for a longer trip

[@carlopolli3995]

@@MrAndyballard Nice one and great little video btw. I’ve just got a canoe and looking for a few hours paddle woth My daughter. Any chance you could send me the route you did please? I’m looking in Google earth and maps but I can’t tell flow direction or figure put your route lol. Looks really nice tho! 👍🏻

[@MrAndyballard]

@@carlopolli3995 Yeah, it's easy... you can either put in at Limpley Stoke bridge and head down towards the weir at Claverton (Warleigh weir). It'll be easy to see the flow once you get to the bridge - it's obvious. There's a little pull in where you can park - altho it does get a bit busy in summer. I'd really recommend parking at Bradford on Avon tho and putting in by the tythe barn, it's a good all day paddle. Go down the river with the flow and back up the canal that way you come back to your car! easy. There's a film of the trip on my channel. Pull out of the river at Dundas Aqueduct up the steps and into the canal, it's a lovely trip. Or carry on to warleigh and pull out and portage up to the canal for an even longer trip. It's all on Google maps/earth.

[@carlopolli3995]

@@MrAndyballard literally perfect! Many many thanks Andy

[@carlopolli3995]

@@MrAndyballard Andy, hate to pick your brains on this but I’ve got more clarity from you on paddling this stretch of river than from anywhere. What do you think to this... Is it possible to park at Warleigh Weir but instead of putting in there walk to the canal, head South on the canal, over Dundas Aqueduct, keep heading south to Limpley Stoke area. I see when you get there at some point it looks like about a 50meter walk to the river Avon, so do that walk, then head down stream on the River Avon back to Warleigh Weir? Would that be a gentle 2 or 3 hour paddle? Does it even work? Also, you mentioned low water levels and scraping along. How would I know if that will be an issue? Is there a website and minimum level you know of that avoids any scraping? I mention that as if we go again we may have an inflatable with us Many thanks in advance

[@jackfisher1826]

Really good to meet you today Andy. This films fantastic. You’ve shot it beautifully. I look forward to checking out more of your work. This is me www.jackfisher.org - I’m always up for a collaboration.

[@MrAndyballard]

Ah Jack... sorry for tardy reply, yes good to meet you too in such a beautiful spot. YT used to flag up comments posted, but it seems that it doesn't anymore. Weird. Thanks for checking out the film. I'll check out your site too.

[@Alpacadave66]

Another corker of a vid!

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers Dave!