Latest news with #kayaking
Times
19 hours ago
- Times
The UK's most glorious riverside pubs where you can stay the night
You can't beat sitting riverside on a sunny day, soothed by the sound of the water and the occasional quack or splosh of a paddle from a passing kayaker, with a cool fizz or local ale in hand. These inns have delightful outdoor spaces and lovely rooms to make a weekend of visiting them, so there is more time to stroll riverside paths or perhaps even get on the water. I've spent a couple of years visiting as many inns such as these as I can to find the best for my new book, Paddle and Pub, covering more than 100 of the best hostelries that you can reach by kayak or paddleboard. Even if you want to stay on dry land they make for gorgeous escapes. This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue Londoners and visitors to the capital looking for an outdoor space along the Thames to enjoy a Pimm's or three en plein air are spoilt for choice, with dozens of inns having existed to lubricate boaters on the river for centuries. One — dating from 1665 and with great, colourful rooms attached — is the Mitre, which once housed guests to Hampton Court Palace, its neighbour. Sit on the waterside Aix Terrace with a rosé, sip a cocktail in the Boathouse or dine on tomato gazpacho and chicken Milanese in the riverside 1665 Brasserie (mains from £20).Details B&B doubles from £200 ( On the banks of the mighty River Thames, the Compleat Angler is a longstanding riverside boozer, although it has morphed from the simple inn it once was into a luxurious hotel with fine dining. It was one of the earliest guesthouses in the country, yet was at risk of overtourism even in Dickens' day — the writer commented in his Dictionary of the Thames that it was often booked out by boating parties. These days there are Sindhu, Atul Kochhar's upmarket Indian restaurant (mains from £19), the Riverside Restaurant fordishes such as chargrilled monkfish (mains from £20) and rooms that are pretty if slightly chintzy — really you're here for the food and the history. Details B&B doubles from £150 ( Ten of the 25 rooms here offer views of an idyllic bend in the River Hodder as it curves around the grounds, with the fells of the Forest of Bowland beyond. Heavy wooden bedheads, unusual framed fabrics and antiques bring country house character to all, and the food — under the chef Jamie Cadman for two decades — has helped to put this quiet corner of Lancashire on the map. Try the fish pie or slow-cooked shoulder of pork with ham hock fritter alongside any one of the 400 wines sourced by the pub's vintners. The pub has four rods for trout and salmon fishing along seven miles of the Hodder, as well as yoga and spa treatments on offer. The Piggeries, its stylish self-catering cottage, has three double bedrooms and a garden leading to the water. Details B&B doubles from£160; three nights' self-catering for six from £1,940 ( • 15 of the most beautiful places in England In a prime spot on the River Tay, known for its salmon fishing, this boutique pub with rooms dating from 1820 has fishing rights and fly-fishing courses, so it's hugely popular with anglers. Even if you're not so inclined, though, it's well worth visiting for the watery views and the food, made with a touch of 'Gallic zest', they say, with ingredients supplied by gillies, farmers and gardeners, plus the in-house butcher. Try a tomato and Crowdie cheese mousse, then a Meikleour venison saddle (mains from £17). Its 11 bedrooms are decked out in floral fabrics and an array of colours, with Arran Aromatics toiletries and sherry decanters on the nightstands. There are also 18 holiday cottages nearby — some with river views in the walled garden of Meikleour House, less than a mile away, another in the local village. Part of the Meikleour Estate, the pub is within reach of Perth, Scone and B&B doubles from £120 ( • Revealed: 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2025 This 18th-century inn on the Harbourne River, a tributary of the Dart three miles south of Totnes, was owned by the flamboyant TV chef Keith Floyd between 1989 and 1996. He spent millions of pounds doing it up, adding eccentrically decorated bedrooms and anchoring fake crocodiles in the water to scare tourists. Now somewhat less wacky, but still with a dining room named for its former owner, the pub is in a lovely spot where the riverbanks are lined with tall trees. The present chef, Anton Piotrowski, jointly won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2012. The six bedrooms, in an adjoining building, are simple, but the owners are planning a renovation. Hire kayaks from Paddle Devon in Totnes and go all the way to Dartmouth, Stoke Gabriel or the Dartington Estate, before finishing with a beer back on the sundeck of the inn (half-day guided kayak trip £47pp; B&B doubles from £80 ( • 19 of the best UK pubs with rooms The idyllic village of Grantchester, south of Cambridge, is on the River Cam, which used to tempt Byron in for a dip, leaving in his memory an adjacent spot named Byron's Pool, now part of a nature reserve. There are a gaggle of pubs here too, including the Blue Ball, a 250-year-old coaching inn with river views, local ales, home-cooked food and a two-bedroom holiday apartment in creamy colours overlooking Grantchester Meadows. Walk a couple of miles north along the river — perhaps joining the wild swimmers for a dip — and you'll reach St John's College and the intricate Bridge of Sighs, which has an arched base similar to its Venetian namesake, as well as the Backs university fields and Mathematical Bridge. Nearby, the Mill Pond is lined with pubs and you can hire a punt here — look out for the Pimm's Punt floating bar. Details One night's self-catering for four from £200 ( • 20 top pubs in the UK to visit by paddleboard, kayak or canoe There are excellent waterside pubs along the River Wye that are perfect stop-offs for boaters and paddlers. One of the smarter options is the Hope & Anchor, near the Welsh border, with a large, busy beer garden on the riverbank and the nearby town full of bookshops and quirky cafés. The pub hosts live music at its bandstand, while the Hut, in its garden, serves wood-fired pizzas and cakes alongside drinks. The food in the main restaurant runs from Wye Valley beer-battered cod and chips and Herefordshire steak burgers to not-so-typical poke bowls (mains from £16). Many of the 12 neat bedrooms have river B&B doubles from £81 ( Gemma Bowes is the author of Paddle and Pub: The Best British Pubs to Get to By Kayak, Canoe or Paddleboard (Bloomsbury, £19.99, pp240). To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on online orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members Have we missed your favourite? Share your recommendations in the comments
BBC News
a day ago
- Science
- BBC News
Kayakers and paddleboarders 'unknowingly' disturbing sea life
Researchers have warned kayakers and paddleboarders may be unknowingly disturbing whales, dolphins and seals in Scottish waters. Heriot-Watt University, with support from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, has documented hundreds of interactions between vessels and marine study included more than 400 hours of land-based observations across five marine regions, including protected areas. Researchers said disturbances caused by kayaks and paddleboards were recorded in the Moray Firth, Clyde, Forth and Tay. The study suggested disturbances from fast-moving craft such as speedboats also occurred in every area. Dr Emily Hague, of Heriot-Watt University, said: "The truth is that all of Scotland's coastline is important habitat for marine mammals."Whether you're paddling off the coast of Fife or sailing around Skye, you're likely sharing the water with sensitive species."We want people to enjoy Scotland's waters, but to do so responsibly by keeping up to date on how best to respond should you spot marine wildlife."She added: "With a little more awareness and a few small changes, we can all help ensure that sharing the sea doesn't come at a cost to the animals that call it home." What is the advice? NatureScot's Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code advises people to:Keep a distance of at least 100m (328ft) from marine mammalsAvoid sudden changes in direction, speed or noise - especially in engine-powered boatsAvoid surrounding animalsLimit encounters to 15 minutes and move on if animals show any signs of disturbanceAvoid using fast moving craft for wildlife watching due to their speed, noise and collision riskGive seals on land a wide berth
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Kayak safety, staying safe this summer
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – With summer comes more outdoor activities, and if you plan to participate in water sports, there are some things to keep in mind to stay safe. One of the most popular activities in our area is Kayaking. Experts say that to stay safe, be sure to know your route, be comfortable in the water, know how to swim, stay hydrated, and protect yourself from the sun. 'Have you kayaked before,' said Steve Wright, Owner of Savannah Rapids Kayak. 'We also ask questions: can you swim? You know, how do you feel comfortable about water? We have maps; I'll go over them with you. Over some things, and then when you go down to the water. We do match the kayak with the person. So, depending on weight.' Savannah Rapids Kayak has two main routes: one down the canal, which is for families, beginners, or easy paddle. The other is recommended for intermediate paddlers, which is an upriver route. 'They have my number handy. So, I say if you do have a problem going down the canal, upriver, just hit me. You know, one of us, we usually have a crew out here. If it's in the canal, somebody's going to be down, there to help you, or upriver, someone is going to be there to help you,' said Wright. Kayaking is fun, but it can turn dangerous if you're not prepared. 'Having a life jacket and you know that is required by law and wearing a life jacket. When you're in the river, you know, just staying, one stay away from the bank,' said Wright. Other safety tips include knowing a paddling technique, and if you plan to kayak in areas with rapids, consider having a guide at least the first time. 'We have bottled water. We usually have a cooler, you know, out here, too. If you want to fill up your water tank, you can. You know, making sure you are hydrated. Especially when it gets hot,' said Wright. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
After stranded kayaker on Battle Creek rescued, Cal Fire warns not to light signal fires
A stranded 24-year-old kayaker was rescued at Battle Creek, and her 'signal' fire snuffed by firefighters, after she went missing Sunday night, according to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office. A man who told deputies he was the woman's friend reported he last saw her floating in the kayak on a stretch of the creek near Coleman Fish Hatchery Road. He told deputies he waited for her to meet him at the bridge at Gover Road in Anderson. When she didn't show, he searched for her for her with no luck, then called law enforcement for help, according to sheriff's spokesperson Tim Mapes in a news release. Deputies heard a woman calling for help when they arrived at the creek just before 9:30 p.m., Mapes said in the announcement, but they couldn't immediately find her in the rugged terrain around the creek. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. They eventually used a drone to find the stranded kayaker, who was on land, according to Mapes, and the Sheriff's Swift Water Rescue Team picked her up. The woman had ignited a fire to show rescuers her location, according to the announcement. 'With Shasta County currently experiencing high fire danger, thankfully that fire was extinguished by fire crews,' Mapes said. 'We're in wildfire season. Lighting an un-permitted fire — even for signaling — can be considered dangerous, reckless or unlawful, particularly during fire restrictions, red flag warnings or designated wildfire seasons.' said Jas Shaw with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Shasta-Trinity Unit. While the kayaker was lost for five hours, according to Shaw, and was likely frightened, people who get lost in Shasta County shouldn't rely on signal fires. Starting one could cause a wildfire, and possibly injure or kill the lost person and others, she said. Instead, Shaw recommends hikers, kayakers and people recreating in the wilderness use 'modern signaling methods like a whistle, strobe light" or other safe signaling method. The rescued kayaker wasn't injured, Mapes said. The sheriff's office didn't release the woman's name or town of residence, or report if she was unfamiliar with the area. Cal Fire crews helped deputies with the rescue, according to Mapes. Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: After kayaker rescued, Cal Fire cautions not to light signal fires
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Duo's Thames River kayak challenge after family death
Two friends have completed a challenge of running and kayaking the length of The River Thames to raise money for a Fenton and Chris Malles, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, wanted to support Prospect Hospice in Wroughton after Mr Fenton's brother-in-law was cared for by the charity before his Fenton said: "They give end-of-life care that is second to none. It was a lovely challenge and great to make money for Prospect at the same time."They totalled around 299km (186 miles) in three days, and raised more than £2,000. They set off on a half marathon run on 7 June from the source of the river which is in Kemble, the run, the pair were joined by friends from the Dolphin Running Club, in Tetbury, Ross Bransby and Tom Fenton said the first day was "very, very wet"."We slept on an island which was great until we woke up in the morning and realised it was covered in goose poop," he 10 June, they managed to finish earlier than expected as they caught high tide when going through the tidal barrier.
