CONTENTS
- Date, Distance & Duration
- Map of the Route
- Weather
- Sheperd’s Patch to Pilot Inn Kayak
- Logistics
- Pubs & Restaurants
- Dangers & Issues
- Itiwit X100 kayak
- Gloucester & Sharpness canal
- Summary
1. DATE, DISTANCE & DURATION
7 June 2024.
7.5 miles route.
3.5 hours paddling.
2. MAP OF THE ROUTE
3. WEATHER
It was a dry but mostly overcast day with highs of about 17 Celsius. There were quite strong winds of 15mph gusting to 25mph from the South West.
4. SHEPERD’S PATCH TO PILOT INN KAYAK
We launched from just above the Patch swing bridge at Shepherd’s Patch at about 14:00 and headed upstream. Just West of Sheperd’s Patch is the Slimbridge wetland reserve which cares for and studies huge numbers of ducks, geese and swans.
Almost a mile upstream from Sheperd’s Patch, we came to the Cambridge Arm swing bridge, one of 18 swing bridges on the canal between Gloucester and Sharpness.
Upstream of the Cambridge Arm swing bridge, we passed where the River Cam flows into the canal.
The Gloucester & Sharpness canal is much wider than most of the other canals that we’ve paddled.
The canal opened in 1827 as a ship canal and was once the broadest and deepest in the world.
About a quarter of the way along the route Splatt swing bridge approached, with its impressive bridge keeper’s cottage.
The medieval St Mary’s Church glided by as we paddled through the sprawling village of Frampton on Severn.
The canal runs for 16 miles from Gloucester down to Sharpness its aim being to bypass the difficult to navigate stretch of the Severn River below Gloucester.
The Severn River runs parallel to the lower half of the canal and is the longest river in the UK, running for 220 miles or 354 km.
We passed countless boats and yachts of all shapes and sizes moored up as we continued our canal odyssey.
The Fretherne swing bridge loomed ahead of us. It looked a lot lower than the other swing bridges that we’d passed already and it was clearly going to be a squeeze to get underneath it!
As we approached Saul Junction Marina, we were quite surprised to pass a boat looked like a pirate ship. Fortunately they didn’t open up on us with a broadside as we passed by, being riddled with grapeshot would have spoiled the paddle.
As we approached Junction swing bridge at Saul junction, we passed what looked like an old coastguard boat moored up.
After passing Saul Junction, we continued northwards past the broad flat lands adjoining the Severn estuary.
The trees were covered with their Summer foliage, many of them drooping down into the canal.
The quite strong wind was blowing from the South west and helping us along the route and we were almost 3/4 of the way along the route as we approached the Parkend swing bridge.
After squeezing under the Parkend swing bridge, we paddled passed more wonderful canal boats moored up along the banks.
The Pilot Inn loomed into view as we paddled along a heavily wooded section of the canal as we approached Harwicke, a suburb of South Gloucester.
The Sellars Swing Bridge and the Pilot Inn marked the end of our journey on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal
We landed just upstream of the Sellars Swing Bridge. What a great paddle along an amazing waterway.
5. LOGISTICS
Regarding logistics, at Sheperd’s patch we parked at the Slimbridge car park which is only about 200 meters down the road from Patch Swing Bridge.
When we had paddled from Sheperd’s Patch to Sharpness on a previous occasion, we parked at the Tudor Arms Hotel which is right next to Patch swing bridge, but we did check with them first and we did go back for food and drinks there after our paddle.
At the Pilot Inn at Hardwicke, we had left our second vehicle in the car park of the Pilot Inn.
We had checked with the Pilot Inn that this was OK and they were very friendly and fine with us doing so.
We did go to the Pilot Inn for a beer at the end of the paddle and would have had food there but we’d already arranged to meet a friend at Gloucester for food.
6. PUBS & RESTAURANTS
Tudor Arms, Sheperd’s Patch
The Tudor Arms at Sheperds Patch is a great pub next to Patch swing bridge.
We had a great meal at the Tudor arms after our Sheperds Patch to Sharpness kayak on a previous occasion.
The Tudor Arms is a a lovely pub with an awesome selection of beers and ciders.
The Pilot Inn, Hardwicke
The Pilot Inn at Hardwicke is another great old canal side pub steeped in history.
We had a beer at the Pilot Inn after this paddle and enjoyed chillin in the beer garden overlooking the canal while we rested our weary shoulders.
The Pilot Inn apparently in days gone by became a popular attraction for visitors from Gloucester who could arrive at the pub by boat and alight on a landing stage that had direct access to the pub’s garden.
7. DANGERS & ISSUES
The Gloucester & Sharpness canal is a typical, safe canal route.
Wind
While there is no noticeable current running either way in the canal, we had decided to paddle this route from Sheperd’s Patch to the Pilot Inn because the forecast said that it would be quite windy and the winds would be blowing from the South West
We therefore wanted to paddle with the wind behind us rather than paddling into the wind.
This canal runs alongside the Severn estuary so it’s quite exposed with flatlands either side. Its therefore worth bearing in mind the wind direction if you are paddling this canal on a windy day.
Swing Bridges
While squeezing under the swing bridges does slow you up a little, it’s far easier and quicker than having to portage around locks like you have to do with many canals or rivers.
Just remember to duck as you pass under the bridges, some are lower than you think!
Waterways Licence
You require a Waterways Licence in order to paddle on the Gloucester & Sharpness canal and also on any other canals managed by the Canal & River Trust.
If you join Paddle UK or Canoe Wales, then membership includes the Waterways Licence and this seems to be the best way to get the licence.
The ‘waterways licence’ gives you access to 5,000 miles of inland waterways.
While stoppages on canals are relatively rare, it’s worth checking on the Canal & River Trust website for any stoppages on the canal you intend to paddle on before you go.
8. ITIWIT X100 KAYAK
On this trip we used the blue 2 or 3 person model of the itiwit X100 inflatable kayak.
This is a hybrid inflatable with a high pressure drop stitch floor and lower pressure side tubes.
We have done a full review of this kayak on our product reviews page.
We also have done a video review of it on our Product Reviews playlist of our Youtube channel.
The Itiwit X100 also comes in a a smaller yellow 1 or 2 person model which we have also done a review of on our product reviews page and also a video review on our playlist channel.
9. GLOUCESTER & SHARPNESS CANAL
The Gloucester & Sharpness canal runs for about 16.5 miles from Gloucester down to Sharpness.
It offers great opportunities for both one way or circular routes.
Gloucester Docks at the Northern end of the canal is surrounded by historic warehouse buildings, most of which have been converted into flats, restaurants and stores.
Sharpness Marine at the Southern end of the canal is sited on what was the original entrance to the Lock Gates allowing access to the River Severn when the canal was completed in 1827.
10. SUMMARY
This was our third trip on the Gloucester & Sharpness canal and we again thoroughly enjoyed paddling this amazing waterway.
Of all of the canals we’ve paddled, the Gloucester & Sharpness canal has bene the one we’ve enjoyed the most to date due to it’s width, the great scenery and the number of lovely boats you pass along the canal.
If you have any comments or queries about this route or about kayaking the canal generally then get in touch.
Below is the link to our Youtube video of this trip.