Paddling the length of the River Medway Canoe Trail

Kayaking The River Medway Canoe Trail in Kent, South East England, from start to finish. I solo wild camped along the way. The trail is rich with historic sights, glorious Kent countryside (known as ‘The Garden of England’), plenty of camp sites (pretty sure my one was haunted!), and the Medway’s famous rapid canoe passes - adding a bit of white water fun for all abilities. It’s a paddler’s paradise; with relatively few motor craft on the upper sections of the river. Kayakers, canoeists, stand up paddle boarders, and wild swimmers were all taking full advantage during this mini heat wave.
I hope you enjoy this video, and if you think I should make more (or not!) then please let me know in the comments.
Thanks,
Stevie
/ mrsteviewyatt
#kayaking #medwaycanoetrail #wildcampinguk
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Here’s a link to the PDF guide of the trail www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/up...
Go and support Peter at Kayaking 4 Mental Health
/ @kayaking4mentalhealth702
/ kayaking4mentalhealth
Check out Rambles and Scrambles channel, here’s his awesome Medway video that he was making when I bumped in to him • Medway Canoe Trail and...
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Equipment Used In This Video:
Kayaking Equipment:
Kayak: Islander Jive bit.ly/36fKxYF
Paddle: X500 (sold separately) tidd.ly/3HMatZF
Pump (sold separately) tidd.ly/3GNg1S8
PFD (life jacket) tidd.ly/364EOo9
Dry bag 30l tidd.ly/3oLmuaf
Emergency bilge pump geni.us/jmdtOIp
The best kayak trolley around geni.us/wUhyCGR
Camping Equipment:
Cook set (nested pots, gas burner, cup, cutlery) geni.us/m6JKPPM
MRE’s (meals ready to eat) geni.us/UJTG8Z
Candle Lantern geni.us/swlqP
Hammock geni.us/hqF2Hx
DD 3mx3m Tarp (the best!) geni.us/AI8f
Sleep pad geni.us/GJoHQ4k
Ultralight quilt (better than a sleeping bag for hammock camping) geni.us/HEUgQ
Filming Equipment:
Main Camera: Sony a6400 geni.us/Ajfay5Z
With this ND filter geni.us/Qb5pq2
In this cage geni.us/PGQVk
With this mic geni.us/i5K01p
With this Gorilla Pod geni.us/tsFYxA
Kayak Camera: GoPro Hero 7 Black geni.us/Dq1xr4
With this ND filter geni.us/3PLpD
In this cage geni.us/OxiH
Mounted using this simple but clever device geni.us/RuZO3y
And also using this for great angles geni.us/Tj0GXD
Drone: DJI Mini SE geni.us/7ouJ
Audio field recorder with lav mic geni.us/4PbD5
Solar Power Bank: Miady Solar Charger 25000mAh geni.us/5MNc​
Music licensed by Epidemic Sound. I highly recommend this service to fellow creators. Start your free trial now bit.ly/3gX7a6d
// Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission off sales at no extra cost to you. Thank you very much for supporting the channel //
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[@StevieWyatt]

Hope you enjoy my short film about this wonderful river, which is highly suited to paddlers. Let me know in the comments any suggestions you have for other waterways you think I should do. Cheers 🚣‍♂

[@doctorworm8023]

Maybe it's not quite your style, but I've had some good experiences running the river Evenlode down to where it meets the Thames

[@charlieb4011]

Great video mate. Where exactly did you first start?

[@roblaidlaw2763]

Love the vids!! Reason I bought my kayak. Could you do the grade 1s in your itiwit x500? Looking to do a few of your routes.

[@StevieWyatt]

@@roblaidlaw2763 thanks! Yeah I would be confident doing any of these canoe passes on the Medway in my X500, (except the black run because I'd worry about the concrete scraping the hull). If anything the X500 is better suited for these passes because it doesn't have a skeg

[@roblaidlaw2763]

@@StevieWyatt what’s under the others? Looks like steps?

[@kayaking4mentalhealth702]

So glad your safe was nice to meet you

[@StevieWyatt]

Great to meet you too Peter and thanks again so much for helping me out! Best of luck in September, I'll be following your progress. Keep up the excellent work 🚣‍♂️

[@kayaking4mentalhealth702]

@@StevieWyatt we're off 31st August to 2nd September for part 1 the stour river Wye to pegwel bay then part 2 5th to 8th September Medway from penhurst to hoo marine. Thank you maybe next year I should hold bigger run with more kayaks out the raising money for Kayaking 4 mental health

[@kayaking4mentalhealth702]

@@StevieWyatt remember give me shout on Facebook I do have photos of it

[@lauragriffithsoutdoors]

I love the kayak passes! They look so much fun. That wild camp though did look proper unnerving. I hate when you get that creepy feeling 😮 Glad you survived 😅

[@StevieWyatt]

Yeah the passes were fun. The spooky wild camp location, not so fun!

[@olddirtyriverbastard8386]

I've watched this video too many times 😂

[@paulsharp7548]

Stumbled upon this channel as you’ve the same kayak as myself. What a lovely find! Really loving the content. Well shot and nicely edited……and of course a nice dollop of humour. 👍

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much for your kind words Paul 🙏

[@skinndawgg9799]

I use a wavesport ethos 10 crossover kayak, works brilliantly on all the canoe passes on the medway and is a good all rounder. love the videos keep up the good work!

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much!

[@ezeekiel101]

The caneo passes look great fun, I have friends and family in the area so might have to go and try that. I have a sit on top Perception Triumph just cause I find it so much easier to get in and out of but they are heaver, its very stable so hopefully should be OK.

[@Patrick-jj5nh]

can't wait to do this in the summer!

[@olddirtyriverbastard8386]

Don't camp at the disused lock. If you go just a little bit further there are a couple of good spots on the left hand bank

[@jasonaldridge1177]

Nice one m8 👍🏼 Your a braver man than me for camping on that lock 😳 I bet even the fish didn’t like it there 😂 keep em coming 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks 🙂 I won't be staying there again in a hurry!

[@assortedpov9722]

I paddled a dropstitch inflatable kayak through the disused lock there with some friends in early September. We stopped for a break on the little island - as you say somewhat difficult to actually alight from your craft and there really is a bit of a weird vibe. Was also scouting it out as a hammock camping spot but now I think I'll do that on the Stour instead.

[@StewartBrennan]

Loving the videos, me and my son are currently planning the same trip on SUPs. Hope to see you on the water sometime 👍🏻

[@DM-tn6jd]

Cool video Stevie, braver man than me camping there I would have kept going... Subscribed and shared with a few mates, good watching. Love the explanations and honesty.

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks very much Dave 😊

[@me.my.son.and.i]

Great vid. I live nearby to Tonbridge and have just bought an inflatable drop stitch kayak, so I think I'm going to give the trail a go myself. I've also been slowly putting together a wild camping kit recently for a few planned trips further north, but now considering combining the kayaking/wild camping.

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks Sam and good luck with it. You picked the right summer to start kayak camping!

[@richsummers3131]

Those canoe passes look like a lot of fun! Love to try the upper section there, especially in the inflatable. Sod that campsite though 👻

[@StevieWyatt]

They would be great fun in your boat. Even the grade 3 black run pass at Old Sluice Lock which I chickened out of!

[@blubeard78]

Was nice meeting you on the second day of your trip. Stay safe.

[@StevieWyatt]

Was great meeting you and thanks again so much! Best of luck in September 🚣‍♂️

[@blubeard78]

@@StevieWyatt you're very welcome,it was our pleasure being able to help you out of that situation,as we'd both been caught out ourselves on solo trips,and will always stop if we see anyone in any trouble,or for a chat etc lol,also thanks for the well wishes for the events that we (Kayaking 4 Mental Health) have coming up starting at the end of the month. Hopefully we'll see some more videos from you soon. 😊

[@jonfisher9214]

There was a semi derelict but lived in narrowboat moored up at the disused lock for a long time. The owner left a lot of weird stuff lying around. That old fibreglass kayak was on the roof of his boat last time I was down there, so I assume he dumped it when he left.

[@StevieWyatt]

Yes there was a lone narrowboat moored nearby in a bit of a sorry state, I remember seeing that.

[@DavidWilsonOutandAbout]

Hi Stevie, I really enjoyed watching this video 👍. The Medway is my local river, so I often get out on the paddle between Tonbridge and Allington Lock. You are right about Stoneham (Disused) lock, it's as creepy as hell there. The disused lock is not actually listed as a camping area, the EA simply has a relaxed attitude towards pitching up at locks provide we leave n trace and do not obstruct other people's access. I generally paddle my 16ft drop stitch kayak so only run the canoe passes with the brushes fitted, portaging with all my kit can be a bit of a nuisance, but it's got to be done 😉 ATB, Dave 👍

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much Dave. I've just bought a drop-stitch so I'm looking forward to getting back on the Medway in the spring. But you're right, I'll stick to the brushed passes in future. Cheers 🛶

[@DavidWilsonOutandAbout]

@@StevieWyatt Nice one, I am planning a kayak wild camping mid-January, probably pitch up at Sluice Weir Lock. If you are travelling over to Kent, may be worth looking at the River Stour (Kentish Stour). There is a beautiful strength of river between Grove Ferry and Fordwich. It is a tidal river, however, it is not much of an issue until you go downstream from Grove Ferry. Merry Christmas Dave 👍

[@ramblesandscrambles9167]

Great video and loved some of the drone shots! Sluice Weir definitely worth portaging down the stairs by the look of it! If you do it again I can recommend camping at Oak Weir as it's a bit less spooky!

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks! definitely camping at Oak Weir next time, and taking an inflatable for the canoe passes 🛶 ⛺️

[@Ellie-rx3jt]

The only good thing about the canoe pass at Teston lock is that the country park is a super popular launch point for inflatables, and it's not far from the yalding canoe platform, so there's a very high chance of someone being there to rescue you 😅

[@colvillebri196]

What a great river, kayak friendly, one I must do me thinks

[@StevieWyatt]

A very paddle friendly river, between Tonbridge and Yalding is lovely

[@GrimUpNorth_yt]

Really enjoyed that. Keep up the great work.

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks for watching 🙂

[@newcrosssuperstar]

Great video, really informative and enjoyable! 👍🏾

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks Shaun, glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@jamesfenn7725]

Loving your videos and the channel. Def gonna add this to my list of rivers to check out!

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much James 🙏

[@TonyTurboRST]

I really enjoyed this video. I live near the Medway and fancy trying some kayaking so it was great to see the river and the canoe runs. They look like something from Alton Towers! Lol

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks very much Tone, the canoe runs are great fun, especially if you don't over-load the boat like I did 😀

[@kevincorby435]

I used to live in Tonbridge an did the route from Tonbridge to Yalding for charity. It was in the early 80's and we had to portage at every lock! Now live in Oz and was surprised at all the building along the river in Tonbridge. Found your site whilst researching inflatable craft. Really enjoy your reviews and trips.

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks Kevin

[@occupiedmum]

“Wet bum” 😂. Nice one Stevie. 👍🏻

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks Sheridan 😊

[@Barch2333]

Great video, great sound and editing! Keep exploring Stevie. Bangkok Thailand.

[@StevieWyatt]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@Glenfiner]

Hi Steve, we walked 10miles along the river from Tonbridge, that's how I stumbled across your excellent channel. Great content, well edited and presented. Really enjoyed the vlog and I think you have convinced me to buy an inflatable kayak and follow in your wake. Will definitely not be camping on Scooby doo island though! Keep up the great work, Thankyou. (Subscribed)

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much for the kind words Glenn! Best of luck with it, I've just bought a new inflatable kayak as well. Now if only we could have some nice weather again at some point! 🙂

[@TheGrayExplorer]

Really enjoyed that, looks good fun. I’ll add it to the ever growing list

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much, would love to see you make a Medway video!

[@TheGrayExplorer]

@@StevieWyatt I’ll give you a shout when I do 😀

[@GamerKidEdits]

How beautiful. I live in the middle of the States and we certainly don’t have any lovely canals to paddle through. Plenty of wild rivers but a change of pace sure would be nice. Perhaps there are canals on the east coast. Also, thanks for the Itiwit x100 review, I think that boat will be a nice addition to ease my wife and child into kayaking. Fair winds…

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks very much, the X100 is a great family boat. My kids love coming out for a paddle in it with me

[@cleric7788]

15:37 spooky , I saw ducks and swans at that location.

[@KitRowan]

Your channel is great! loving the content as I go through all the vids. I am looking into getting an inflatable kayak (and procrastinating how much to spend and which to buy) at the moment but would be afraid of getting punctures going through some of those locks which seems a shame as they look fun!

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much Kit 🙏 I wouldn't worry too much about punctures in the canoe passes. The grade 1 and 2 passes have brushes in them, they are literally like upturned sweeping brushes! Apparently this is good for the fish who swim upstream to spawn. The bigger passes are basically smooth concrete ramps. I think these would be fun in an inflatable, but if ever you are unsure you can always portage the boat

[@fishingwcp]

New sub here can’t wait to check out some more of your content

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@RiverRatJimmy]

Great video and a trip to do with my son. He's got a KZbin channel Adbenture Life and filmed a couple of canoe trips.

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks very much Andy, I'll check out his channel

[@dalboorman9103]

Stevie It would be great to meet up the next time ur going for a paddle along the medway, loving the channel drop me a line as and when Stay safe buddy

[@grahamashby1409]

That was very entertaining Stevie. I've paddled the Medway a lot this year and really do love it. A good pal of mine came unstuck on the canoe pass at Teston too, so you're definitely not alone 😁In the interests of staying dry I tend to just portage around them no matter which way I'm going. It's a beautifully maintained river, perfect for kayaking and utterly stunning in parts. Keep up the good work. What drone are you using?

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks Graham, I loved making this video and look forward to the returning one day. Drone is a DJI Mavic SE

[@grahamashby1409]

@@StevieWyatt Thank you mate, just done part of the Wey on your recommendation and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be doing more.

[@williamj8349]

Your videos are so good dude

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much. Thanks for lending me that GoPro, that's where it all began! 🚣‍♂️

[@williamj8349]

@@StevieWyatt always welcome. I’ll come and join you and get some sweet drone shots of you sometime! :-)

[@nathanvince6657]

William, you can borrow mine! Should be getting it in the next week! Nice video Stevie - liked and subscribed 😃

[@williamj8349]

@@nathanvince6657 @steviewyatt Nathan is my future brother in law! Found your channel all by himself!

[@cliveking9669]

Al-ling-ton lock

[@briar6851]

Hi there. Great video. Thanks for sharing. I’m planning a canoe trip from Yalding Campsite to just past Teston Lock and back. I see the Canoe and Fish Pass at teston lock will be useable for my outward journey. When I turn around to head back to Yalding, is there a portage route around Teston Lock? Many thanks. Briar.

[@dpax100]

Hey Steve, waiting to see your second run of Medway in your x500. Aren't trail people the best whether canoeing, cycling or trekking.

[@StevieWyatt]

Cheers Darrell, you're right I think another trip to the Medway is is due, and would be great in the X500 🙂

[@Rednaxela1]

Hi - I saw your comparison video on the ITIWIT X100 v. 100 and now the proud owner of a gorgeous drop stitch kayak. I plan to do this Medway run soon as I live very close to it, but I’m a little precious still about my new purchase. I wondered if I could ask you if I risk damaging the Skegs going down the canoe chutes? Maybe stupid question, but any advice you have much appreciated

[@StevieWyatt]

Personally i would take the skegs off for the canoe passes, there's a small risk you could scrape them on the ramp so better to be safe than sorry. The boat still manoeuvres pretty well with the skegs off too

[@thomasmaher6542]

Sorry if it’s been asked already, haven’t scrolled through all the comments, the canoe/kayak I’m getting have fins/skegs, would you say the water is deep enough to avoid breaking them on the passes. Thanks in advance, I’m enjoying your videos 👌🏼

[@Hetfield99]

Hey, so I want to do it but how do you get back to the starting point? As that’s where your car is right?

[@insx]

Very enjoyable watch. How did you get back?

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks very much! On day one I left my car near Allington Lock and got the train back to Tonbridge and the boat. Always a logistical headache when doing these things solo! 🙂

[@insx]

@@StevieWyatt Good idea to do it that way round and have your car waiting for you.

[@kristaps2010]

17:50 looks easy to get across.

[@4384adam]

Just found your channel and videos after buying a kayak (itiwit 100 2/3 person) I live near to the river medway and have just got back from camping at Hop Farm and using the river. But did not go down any of the chutes, due to one question - Skegs!? Can you use a chute with skegs on or do they need to be removed? Any help will be great, many thanks 👍

[@KevThePirate]

I just ordered the Intex Excursion Pro k2 after watching the video review you posted, apart from the grade 3 canoe passes should the Intex manage the grade 1 and 2 canoe passes on this canoe trail?

[@filthbyfrenchy1059]

Came across this channel looking for inspiration as I'm just getting into kayaking, albeit in an inflatable! I did have a question though, are the canoe passes skeg friendly? My inflatable has a sizeable one at the back and wouldn't want to rip it off going down one! Great informative videos, and you're a local to me (I'm from Molesey). Keep up the great work!

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks for watching! Small world - I'm planning on doing a River Mole video at some point. I have a drop down skeg on my kayak and I pulled it up for the canoe passes. Not so much of a problem on the grade 1 passes which are brushes, but the grade 2 were concrete and probably not so skeg friendly. If it's a drop down skeg or removable fins I would take them off for the passes. Great fun though 😀🚣‍♂️

[@filthbyfrenchy1059]

@@StevieWyatt thanks Stevie! It's removable with a pin so I'll just pop it out if I feel brave enough to tackle the passes! Look forward to the Mole video Dan

[@MrCorfuz]

I am going to buy a kayak and am thinking about the Medway. I just found out that you are supposed to buy a permit, either daily, monthly or yearly or face a £1000 fine. Do kayakers really buy these permits? Do they really fine you if you haven't got one?

[@scottking869]

Do you reccomend any lakes for beginers? Its my first time using a kayak. I live round orpington earlier so anything in kent

[@Dazbox]

Super cool! How did you get to the start without your car?

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks very much Darren! It was quite a faff logistically. So I dropped the kayak off near Tonbridge slipway and tied it up somewhere secluded. Then I dropped the car off to a car park just near Allington lock, then got the train back to Tonbridge to start the journey. The lock keepers at Allington are super helpful though, so I reckon they'd let you park there behind the barrier. I have an inflatable now which I can take on the train - so much easier for these kind of trips. Thanks for watching 🚣‍♂️

[@Dazbox]

@@StevieWyatt thanks! Owning an inflatable definitely has its advantages.. 👍

[@stevenscott9750]

Hi Stevie where did you get in at

[@StevieWyatt]

There's a slipway next to Tonbridge Swimming pool. If you put 'Lower Castle Field Car Park' into your sat nav that's where it is, just by the footbridge

[@stevenscott9750]

@@StevieWyatt cheers I’ve watched loads of your videos now 👌🏻

[@BoltonMaverickoutdoors]

Is it not a kayak tou are using 🤔