Last Updated: Sept 2021
This year I really started to enjoy paddling, let that be in a kayak or canoe. As you know I live in London, which at first might not seem like a good place to do any sort of paddling sports. London is a big city full of buildings, constructions, cars and people. There is always some sort of event going on that attracts a crowd. However, London also has canals, the river Thames and thanks to the excellent public transport system it is only a short train ride away to the sea. So many of the UK’s best canoe and kayak trips are within easy reach!
Although London has lots of green parks, it is often difficult to find a quiet spot and fully enjoy nature. A lot of people visit the capital to spend Christmas in London and enjoy the festive lights and food. However, if you are spending summer or spring in London and you want to spend your day a bit different than walking around the city I have a few suggestions for you. Kayaking and canoeing can be very relaxing. It is a great form of exercise, a good chance to get some fresh air and you will also come across some beautiful scenery. I took part in a few kayaking and canoeing adventures in and around London and I really enjoyed all of them. These are some of the best kayaking tours in the London area. You can also do some of these tours on your own if you have a boat. An inflatable kayak is a good way to get started.
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Guide book suggestions for the area
I love the Wild Guide books and have the whole collection. This one focuses on hidden gems, beaches, unique accommodation and canoe/kayak trips within easy reach from London.
This edition covers interesting walks (all accessible by train) which lead to secret lakes, rivers and seaside beaches. Perfect place for a wild swim or paddle.
Where to stay
All of these kayaking trips are either very central or outside of London. If they are a day trip from London, then I provided information about how to get there by public transport. Your best bet is to book accommodation somewhere central, so you can easily get to the starting point or train station. London is huge, so getting from one side of the city to the other can often take hours and also cost a fortune. So choose your base wisely!
Kayaking and canoeing tours in London
Battersea to Greenwich – Sightseeing London by kayak
This is a great trip to see all of London’s famous landmarks. I can’t think of a more unique way to do sightseeing in London, than by kayaking down the tidal Thames. You will pass The London Peace Pagoda, the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Gherkin, Skygarden, HMS Belfast, Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Cutty Sark.
The highlight of the trip: Paddling under the Tower Bridge
Who do I recommend this trip: Great trip for tourists who want an alternative way of seeing London’s top attractions.
Child-friendly: The event is for adults only
Starting point: Battersea next to St Marys Church
How to get there: Several bus, train and tube stops nearby as it is quite central in London
Duration: You will cover 17 km in under 3 hours
Price: £64.69 per person, which includes the guides and all the equipment you will need. (double kayak, paddles, buoyancy aids, spraydeck, waterproof trousers and rain jacket)
Difficulty: Easy – perfect for beginners, the tide will be in your favour. There will be some waves and it can be busy with boats, but having 4 guides on the trip ensures you will be completely safe.
Tip: No need to bring your camera as we had 4 guides with us and they had waterproof cameras. We stopped briefly to take pictures in front of the Tower Bridge and the company sent us all the pictures they took during the day by e-mail.
Where to book: The London Kayak Company
Kayaking on the Regent’s Canal in London
This trip is great if you are in London on holiday or you live here and want to get away from the busy city life. Although the tour takes place in central London, it is like you are completely elsewhere thanks to the tranquil settings. The tour starts by Regent’s Park and finishes at Camden Lock. It is a short 90-minute paddle on the canal. We had lovely weather and enjoyed this relaxing kayak trip. Lot of birdlife on the canal as you can imagine and if you go in the spring you will see lots of ducklings as well.
The highlight of the trip: Entering the “secret tunnel” which was featured in the James Bond Spectre movie.
Who do I recommend this trip: Great for beginners, as there is some tuition at the beginning of the tour and it is a short, slow-paced relaxing paddle.
Child-friendly: This trip is suitable for children over the age of 9 if they are accompanied by an adult and able to swim a minimum of 10 metres.
Starting point: Primrose Hill Bridge, by the Regent’s canal.
How to get there: Baker Street, St John’s Wood and Camden Town tube stations are all about a 20-minute walk to the launch site. Alternatively you can take bus #2, 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274, 453 , or C2.
Duration: The total distance is less than 3 km and it takes about 90 minutes at a very slow pace.
Price: £39 per person, which includes the guide and equipment (single kayak, paddles, buoyancy aids)
Difficulty: Easy – The canal is a safe environment for kayaking and the trip is short and slow, perfect for beginners.
Tip: No need to bring your camera, as the guide took some pictures of the guests during the trip and they e-mail them at the end of the day!
Where to book: London Kayak Tours
London Canoe/Kayak hire
Moo Canoes
Location: They have a Hackney Wick and Limehouse location.
Price: For standard weekend hire; Tandem Kayaks are £26 for the first hour and £10 per hour thereafter, Canoes are £36 for the first hour and £10 per hour thereafter.
Highlight: You can paddle past the Milk Floats window to buy a take-away drink to enjoy out on the canals.
Where to book: Moo Canoes
Active360
Location: Paddington basin for canoe hire. Other locations available for SUP hire
Price:
Canoes (2 people): 2 Hours £50 / 3 Hours £60 / 1 Day £85
Canoes (3 people): 2 Hours £60 / 3 Hours £70 / 1 Day £95
Where to book: Active360
Kayaking and canoeing day trips from London
Seal Colony kayak trip from Dovercourt
Who would have thought that you can be in busy London in one moment and after a train ride, you can be paddling in the sea among with seals? This trip is really unique. I loved seeing the seals popping up their head from the water and staring at us curiously. Our instructor Kurt shared some interesting facts about their habitat. He is very passionate about nature and wildlife and it was fascinating hearing his stories!
The highlight of the trip: Seeing seals in their natural habitat.
Who do I recommend this trip: Great trip if you love nature and wildlife, as you will see seals and birds in their natural habitat.
Child-friendly: Must be over 16 years old to take part in this trip
Starting point: West End Lane Car Park in Dovercourt
How to get there: Take the train from Liverpool Street to Manningtree, then change for a train to Dovercourt. This should take about 1,5 hours. Then another 30 minutes walk by the beach to get to the launch point, or you can also take a bus.
Duration: The total distance is 13 km, that you will cover in 5-6 hours. This also includes a lunch/snack break at a beach.
Price: £99.99 per person, which includes a guide and all the equipment you will need. (sit on top kayak, paddles, buoyancy aids)
Difficulty: Moderate – you will need to be relatively fit, to be able to keep up with the group. Although during the most part the tide will be in your favour, you will still need to paddle quite hard, especially if there is some wind.
Tip: Bring a change of clothes, as you are likely to get wet. The kayak has a hatch, where you can store your quite a bit! I suggest coming early and taking a stroll on Dovercourt beach as it is really beautiful!
Where to book: Nomad Sea Kayaking
Kayaking in the Seven Sisters Country Park
The Seven Sisters Country Park is a great place to do hiking near London. We did the Seven Sisters Cliff Walk, but there are so many other things to do there. Buzz Active provides many different water sport activities in the area. We decided to try their organised kayak trip to Alfriston. We were lucky as only two of us were booked in for the trip with a guide. The Cuckmere River is home to beautiful wildlife and to our amazement, the river wasn’t busy with people at all. We really enjoyed how peaceful it was. Thanks to the gorgeous views, lovely weather and relaxing atmosphere this kayak trip became one of our favourites. There is a possibility to stop for a drink or food at the pub in Alfriston, however, we preferred to have a quiet picnic on the river bank.
The highlight of the trip: The gorgeous views of the Litlington white horse.
Who do I recommend this trip: It is a great trip for wildlife and nature lovers, who are not completely new to kayaking.
Child-friendly: This particular trip is more aimed at adults, but the company offers kayak and SUP taster sessions for children as well.
Starting point: Buzz Active Cuckmere
How to get there: You can get a direct train from London Victoria or London Bridge to Brighton and then change onto bus Coaster 12, 12A or 12X. You will need to get off at Seven Sisters Park Centre. Another option is to take a train to Eastbourne and then bus to Seven Sisters Park Centre. Either way, the total journey time is about 2 hours.
Duration: The total distance was 14 km, but as we travelled with the tide, it wasn’t too exhausting. The total duration of the trip including kitting out, lunch and paddling is about 4 hours.
Price: This trip will cost £34.00, which includes all the equipment you will need (kayak of your choice, paddles, buoyancy aids, wetsuit)
Difficulty: Moderate – You will need to be relatively fit to paddle 14 km.
Tip: Bring a towel and swimsuit. The company will provide you with a wetsuit and there are nice changing rooms with showers.
Where to book: Buzz Active
Henley to Windsor – Canoe camping trip
This canoe trip on the Thames was my first time doing an overnight trip by a canoe, which was on my bucket list for a while. We had great weather and we really enjoyed this self-guiding trip. The company gave us clear instruction about how to use the locks and which way to go. You will have a few options about where to spend the night. Cookham Lock or Longridge Camping are your best options. You will need to book the campsite yourself and think ahead as they tend to fill up quickly.
The highlight of the trip: Seeing the wildlife and the gorgeous view of Windsor Castle at the end of the trip.
Who do I recommend this trip: It is a great trip for wildlife lovers, as this part of the Thames is very quiet. We saw red kites, herons, moorhens, great crested grebes, swans, ducks, cormorants, cows and horses.
Child-friendly: Suitable for families with children.
Starting point: Henley-on-Thames at the River and Rowing Museum
How to get there: You can get a train from London Paddington to Twyford, then change for Henley-on-Thames. This will take you about 1 hour 15 minutes, then a 5-minute walk to the launching point.
Duration: The total distance is 38 km, that you will cover in 2 days. It is about 5-6 hours of paddling each day.
Price: This 2-day trip will cost about £130, which includes all the equipment you will need (canoe, paddles, buoyancy aids, dry bag and tent)
Difficulty: Moderate – You will need to be quite fit to paddle 5-6 hours each day.
Tip: Feel free to take your camera, as in a canoe you have more space to move around, than in a kayak, and it is very unlikely that you will capsize. I would also take an emergency GPS for peace of mind.
Where to book: CKT Canoe and Kayak Tours
Tonbridge to Yalding – Kayaking the river Medway
A nice relaxing kayak trip on the river Medway in Kent. This section of the river was very peaceful and quiet. There were 6 canoe passes that I really enjoyed. The last one was the biggest with a big splash at the end. It was great fun. No need to worry at all, as very beginner friendly to use these “slides”.
The highlight of the trip: The canoes passes and the jungle section, where we kayaked in a narrow bit with lots of fallen trees around.
Who do I recommend this trip: Great trip for anyone looking for a relaxing paddle.
Child-friendly: This trip is suitable for children over the age of 12. You can do the same trip in a canoe, where children under 11 can join free of charge.
Starting point: Tonbridge
How to get there: There are direct trains from London Victoria and London Bridge stn. Journey time is 45 min-1 hour depending on the route you take, then a 10-minute walk to the launch site.
Duration: The total distance is 14 km, that you will cover in 5-6 hours. This also includes a lunch/snack break.
Price: £75 per person with transfer from the finish to the start or £65 without transfer. It includes 2 guides and all equipment was provided (single kayak, paddles, buoyancy aids, spraydeck)
Difficulty: Easy – This was my first time using the canoe passes, but they were very straightforward.
Tip: Bring a change of clothes, as you are likely to get wet. The kayak has a hatch, where you can store quite a bit!
Where to book: Kent Canoes
Canoeing from Cambridge to Grantchester Meadows
This is a lovely, relaxing canoe trip. On quiet days you can enjoy the wildlife and peaceful atmosphere. We saw baby herons and ducks along the way! On busier, sunny days, you can stop for a swim, as there are lots of opportunities for this along the way. There is even a rope swing at some point! When you get to Grantchester Meadows you can have a picnic or play some football. The Orchard Tea Garden is only a short walk away, where they serve delicious cakes and sandwiches.
The highlight of the trip: As we went on a windy and grey day, not many people were out on the water. We enjoyed the peace and quiet and observing the bird life!
Who do I recommend this trip: It is a great trip for anyone. A group of friends, families, couples, the elderly. Everyone will find something fun about this trip!
Child-friendly: Suitable for families with children as well.
Starting point: Granta Place Boatyard, Cambridge
How to get there: You can get a train to Cambridge from King’s Cross or Liverpool Street Station. This will take you about 1 hour and then a 25-minute walk to the launching point.
Duration: The distance to Grantchester Meadows is 4.5 km and then you will need to paddle back to Cambridge. The 9 km canoe trip should take about 3 hours at a very relaxed pace. However, you can spend a whole day on this section of the river Cam, as there are lots of places to stop for a swim on sunny days.
Price: All day canoe hire costs £132.00 per boat or you can rent £33 per hour. Canoes can hold up to 4 people. The price includes all the equipment you will need (canoe, paddles, buoyancy aids, dry bag)
Difficulty: Easy – It is a slow flowing river and you don’t need to be particularly fit to do this canoe trip, especially if there are several people paddling in a canoe.
Tip: Take a picnic with you to enjoy at Grantchester Meadows.
Where to book: Scudamore’s
Kayaking on the river Stort from Sawbridgeworth
A lovely Saturday morning session on the peaceful river Stort. It is a great place to learn how to paddle. You can have a go at canoeing and kayaking as well. The area is lovely and the organizers are very friendly and helpful. You can learn a lot from them about the area and just generally chat if you are social. They also do cleanups regularly, so if you are keen bring a bag to collect rubbish in!
The highlight of the trip: Learning about the area from our guide Peter, who is very passionate about the outdoors!
Who do I recommend this trip: Great trip for beginners, who want to learn and get some practice and for people who just like to be outside and have a chat with friendly people.
Child-friendly: Absolutely! They encourage young children to go and have a try and also do trips for scouts.
Starting point: Sawbridgeworth at the Whoosh Explore Canoe Club.
How to get there: Take the train from London to Sawbridgeworth and then a 15-minute walk to the launch point.
Duration: Saturday sessions normally run from 9:30 am till around 12 and cover about 5-6 km.
Price: £12.50 for 1.5 hours paddling or £45 Half days paddling session for up to 2 paddlers, which includes basic coaching and all equipment.
Difficulty: Easy – perfect for beginners. The river is very calm and a lovely location to paddle.
Tip: Bring some money in case you make a stop at the local cafe, where you can buy some refreshments.
Where to book: Whoosh Explore Canoe Club
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Note: We were guests of these kayak and canoe companies stated above, but as always all opinion is my own!
Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from the companies or products mentioned in this post.
Other water based activities in London
Kayaking in London: where to paddle in the city (2026)
You don't have to leave London to go kayaking. Below are the main places to paddle in the city, from quiet canals to the tidal Thames. Each one was checked as operating in November 2026. Prices change from season to season, so confirm them when you book.
| Where | Water | Who runs it | What you can do | Price guide (Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent's Canal, Primrose Hill to Camden | Canal | London Kayak Tours | 90-minute guided tour for beginners | £74.99 for two |
| Regent's Canal, Camden | Canal | The Pirate Castle (charity) | Kayak, canoe and bell-boat sessions, ages 8+ | 1.5-hour kayak tour £40 per person |
| Hackney Wick / Olympic Park | Canal and River Lea | Moo Canoes | Self-hire kayaks, canoes and SUPs | Kayak from £30 per hour per boat |
| Ladbroke Grove, Brentford Lock, Kew Bridge | Grand Union Canal / tidal Thames | Active360 | Hire, SUP sessions and lessons | Hire from £25 |
| Greenwich, Poplar, Battersea | Tidal Thames | London Kayak Company | Guided Thames trips past Tower Bridge and to the Thames Barrier (adults only) | See Eventbrite |
| Shadwell Basin, Wapping | Enclosed dock | Tower Hamlets Canoe Club | Beginners' induction courses, then club trips | Club membership |
| Millwall Dock, Docklands | Enclosed dock | Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre | Paddlesport courses (a recognised training centre) | Contact the centre |
| Lee Valley, Waltham Cross | Lake and white water | Lee Valley White Water Centre | Explore Kayaking taster, Intro to Flat Water Kayaking, public paddling | Taster £17.50; intro course £85 |
| Ham, between Richmond and Kingston | Tidal lagoon | Thames Young Mariners (Surrey Outdoor Learning) | Mainly schools and groups; holiday programmes with canoeing for ages 6–16 | Contact the centre |
Canals for beginners. If you've never kayaked before, start on the Regent's Canal or the canals around Paddington and Hackney Wick. The water is flat and has no tide, and you can always reach the bank. You will share it with narrowboats, so keep to the right and give boats room at bridges and locks.
Docklands. Shadwell Basin and Millwall Dock are enclosed docks, which makes them a sheltered place to learn. Both are run as clubs or training centres rather than casual hire. Tower Hamlets Canoe Club does not take walk-ins. It offers a chance to join each month, usually through a beginners' induction course; the July 2026 induction, for example, ran over four Tuesday evenings.
The Thames. For kayaking on the Thames in central London, book a guided trip with an operator who knows the Tideway (see the safety section below). Upstream at Richmond, Kingston and Hampton Court the river is calmer, and you can take a guided tour such as London Kayak Tours' Hampton Court trip.
Lee Valley White Water Centre. The Olympic white water course is for experienced paddlers, and so is rafting. Beginners can book the 60-minute Explore Kayaking session on the lake. Under-18s need a responsible adult on site.
Cheap kayaking near London
Kayaking near London doesn't have to be expensive. Here are the cheapest ways to get on the water in 2026:
- Tasters. Lee Valley White Water Centre's Explore Kayaking costs £17.50, and its general kayak rental is listed at £15 for paddlers who are already competent. Buzz Active on the Cuckmere (Seven Sisters Country Park) hires single kayaks at £17.50 an hour, with buoyancy aids included and wetsuits free.
- Share a boat. Hire is often priced per boat. At Moo Canoes a two-person kayak costs £30 for an hour, so £15 each. A three-person canoe costs £45 for an hour, so £15 each for three adults.
- Join a club. Clubs such as Tower Hamlets Canoe Club (Shadwell Basin) and Whoosh Explore (River Stort, Sawbridgeworth) let you borrow club boats. You pay a membership or session fee instead of commercial hire rates. Paddle UK's Go Paddling website lists clubs and providers near you.
- Use your own boat and get licensed. If you buy an inflatable or hard-shell kayak, you need a licence to paddle on most canals and rivers in England. That applies to inflatables and paddleboards too. You have two options:
- Paddle UK membership (the new name of British Canoeing since March 2024). From 1 April 2026 adult "On the Water" membership costs £65 for new members and £54 to renew, with discounts for young people and families. It includes a waterways licence covering more than 4,500 km of water, including Canal & River Trust canals and Environment Agency rivers.
- A Canal & River Trust small craft licence if you only paddle occasionally. These start from around £5 per day; use the Trust's licence calculator for the exact price.
Safety on the tidal Thames
Below Teddington the Thames is tidal. It runs fast, its level rises and falls by several metres, and it is busy with ferries, tugs and rowing crews. The Port of London Authority's Tideway Code (second edition, 2025) sets out how paddlers should use it. The key points:
- Go guided if you are new. The Code says inexperienced paddlers should use larger, more stable boats and go with leaders or coaches who know the Tideway. It also says unstable boats should not be taken through central London by inexperienced paddlers.
- Work with the tide. Plan longer trips to go with the tide, and time your return for when the tide turns. Check tide times on the PLA's tide predictions site, and check the daily Ebb Tide Flag. When it shows "Extreme Caution", all human-powered boats should stay off the water on the ebb.
- Keep to the rules of the river. Outside the Code's special areas, the starboard-side rule applies, so keep to the right. Only cross the river at the designated crossing zones.
- Wear a buoyancy aid at all times. Keep a phone or VHF radio somewhere you can reach it quickly, not inside a hatch or dry bag.
- After dark, every boat needs a constant (not flashing) white light at the bow and another at the stern. Paddling solo at night is not recommended. Below Wandsworth Bridge, tell London VTS (VHF channel 14) if you are on the water in the dark.
- After heavy rain, stay away from sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls.
- Paddleboards have extra restrictions. SUP is not allowed below Tower Bridge. Below Chelsea Bridge it is only allowed in groups led by a qualified leader.
The guided trips in this post handle all of this for you. That's why a guided tour is the best way for a beginner to go kayaking on the Thames in London.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you go kayaking in London?
The easiest places to go kayaking in London are the Regent's Canal (Camden and Primrose Hill), the canals around Paddington and Ladbroke Grove, and Hackney Wick by the Olympic Park. For something more sheltered, try the enclosed docks at Shadwell Basin and Millwall Dock. The Lee Valley White Water Centre has a lake taster session. Guided trips on the tidal Thames start from Greenwich, Poplar and Battersea.
Can you kayak on the Thames in London?
Yes, but on the tidal Thames beginners should go on a guided trip, for example with the London Kayak Company, whose trips are for adults only. The Port of London Authority's Tideway Code covers tides, which side of the river to use, crossing points and lights. Upstream at Richmond, Kingston and Hampton Court the river is calmer, and guided tours run there too.
Do you need a licence to kayak in London?
If you hire a boat or join a guided tour, the operator normally covers the licence. If you paddle your own kayak, canoe or inflatable on canals and most non-tidal rivers, you need a licence. You can get one through Paddle UK membership (£65 for a new adult from April 2026) or a Canal & River Trust small craft licence, which starts from about £5 a day.
What is the cheapest way to go kayaking near London?
Lee Valley White Water Centre's 60-minute Explore Kayaking taster costs £17.50, and Buzz Active on the Cuckmere hires single kayaks at £17.50 an hour. Sharing a two-person kayak at Moo Canoes works out at £15 each for an hour. If you plan to paddle often, joining a club is usually cheaper than paying for hire every time.
Can children go kayaking in London?
Yes, at many of these places. Lee Valley's Explore Kayaking and The Pirate Castle in Camden take children from 8. Thames Young Mariners runs holiday programmes with canoeing for ages 6–16. The London Kayak Company's Thames trips are for adults only, so choose a canal or lake session for younger children.
Is canoeing in London different from kayaking?
The places are mostly the same: Moo Canoes, Active360 and The Pirate Castle all offer canoes as well as kayaks. A canoe is open, stable and seats two or three people, so it suits families and anyone who wants to bring a picnic. On the tidal Thames, a stable boat and a guide are recommended whichever type you choose.
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Since backpacking New Zealand and I have fell in love with Kayaking but would never have thought to do it in London! Such a cool way to see the city! Can't wait to try when I'm back in the UK.
Wow as a Brit I didn't know this was possible near London! Great post
I lived in London for 8 years but never thought about Kayaking. Its a great post and you inspired me to do my next adventure :)...
I lived in london for 6 months and I never knew about any of these things! Pinned it for my next trip there xx
I want to canoe under Tower Bridge!
Wow- didn't even know you COULD kayak here. Adding that to the bucket list- thanks :)
These all look awesome!!
Do you know about dragon boating? There are some dragon boat teams that practice in the docks in East London. I practiced with them last year and they were sooo welcoming to new people! If you like the idea, let me know and I'll look up the name of the team so you can find them and try a new way to paddle! :)
If you love to paddle, love to travel and looking for a convenient and affordable way to get out on the water, then an inflatable kayak is an excellent way to go. The great thing about inflatable kayaks is that there are lots of choices and no matter what your criteria, you are sure to find the portable kayak that suits your needs and skill level.
Wow! Never have I thought about such an unusual and amazing way to experience London. Thanks for the detailed description. These canoe trips allow to look at London from a different angle.
As for me, it took about two months to learn canoeing for me. Can you please also give more advice about tandem paddling. I know that I need practice more :)