Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Hi

Looking to camp and paddle on the weekend of 17/18 July and wondered if anyone could suggest a riverside campsite not too far from London but happy to travel as far as the Wye or Medway etc

Something similar to Chelmer but with toilet and shower facilties.

Just want to be able to launch from the campsite or nearby for round trips back to the campsite

I used to wander along the Basingstoke Canal, around Odiham & Crookham and there was always a spot there or two to wild camp......but that was years ago and I am not sure that Basingstoke is the correct name

(09-07-10 06:32 PM)Jamatrad Wrote: [ -> ]I used to wander along the Basingstoke Canal, around Odiham & Crookham and there was always a spot there or two to wild camp......but that was years ago and I am not sure that Basingstoke is the correct name

Basingstoke is ok Jammy, but Crookham is Aldershot District, Odiham is nearer to Basingstoke, Did my first Helicopter jump for my 21st Birthday present from my OC..
Just got back from a rather hetic weekend from down that way.
Regards Bill

Oh Ken - Have I got the place for you

Chertsey

Thanks for your suggestions Jammy and Petey

That Chertsy site looks cool, will need to check it out.

I had already booked here before I saw your suggestions:

http://www.pencelli-castle.com/

Not so close to home, but looks worth visiting.

Pencelli is a great site, easy access to mountains or canal, family run and excellent facilities. I have stayed there many times in my mountaineering days.

Hi Kmac. That Pencelli site is the muts nuts for facilities. Finest toilets and showers in the UK, (don`t just take my word for it, check out the awards).
Stayed there last year, easy access to the canal, turn right out of the site and as you cross over the bridge, left onto the footpath. About 50yards from the site. Paddle down to Talybont, `bout 1.5 miles, couple of pints, :cheers:and back again. Site is expensive though, and you can`t have open fires but you can have a bbq as long as it`s off the ground, they even supply the bricks. but you do get the very best of facilities. Have a word with their gardener, think his name`s Peter, and ask him about the gardens in the site. Amazing! Good food in the Royal Oak (just over the bridge past the put in point, and it`s on your left).
That Area of Wales was my old stomping ground when I was a tearaway teenager with a motorbike. Still got the bikes, but can`t tearaway like I used to. (not much in it tho`)

Have you considered the River Ouse? There is a really good campsite at Houghton Mill (National Trust) - about 2 miles east of Huntingdon. Walk into the village is a few hundred metres - pubs, shops etc. Easy to reach from London. The camp has showers etc - right on the side of the mill pool which goes into the Ouse. It is a caravan site but does take some tents. Have a look on Google Earth at 52. 19. 50 N 07. 06. 09 W. The trip down to St Ives is really good. Key side pub etc.

Howard Denton

Thanks for your comments chaps - really looking forward to Pencelli.

Howard, I'm happy to try the Ouse next time. The more places to go the better.

Hi Tod

(11-07-10 05:37 PM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]Stayed there last year, easy access to the canal, turn right out of the site and as you cross over the bridge, left onto the footpath. About 50yards from the site.

Last time I stayed there (three years ago) you could get to the canal from the camp site where the red arrows point.



Mark

Hi Baggy. The access you've pointed out is a scrabble down a very steep bank, and you end up on the wrong side of the canal(opposite side to the towpath). Much safer to use decent footpath to put/get in. Kmac, the squirrels will wake you up in the morning as they fight and squabble/chase each other around the trees just for the hell of it

(12-07-10 03:00 PM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Baggy. The access you've pointed out is a scrabble down a very steep bank, and you end up on the wrong side of the canal(opposite side to the towpath). Much safer to use decent footpath to put/get in.

Ah I don't remember that but I was in mountaineer mode so steep things would seem fine.

Hi mate

(12-07-10 10:36 AM)kmac Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for your comments chaps - really looking forward to Pencelli.

Have a great trip, could you scout the trees at the Pencelli site for hammocking spots please... pics would be fantastic :-)

Guys, really excited about this trip. Will scout for suitable hammocking (is that a bina fide verb?) trees and take plenty of pics. Will check out if launching is feasible from the campsite itself. Also can't wait to use the award winning loos!!!

Think I'll scare the squirells with my snoring. Seriously though, it takes more than a few squirrels to wake me up. One night the burglar alarm went off in the night and the missus had to wake me up to check it out.

(12-07-10 03:00 PM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Baggy. The access you've pointed out is a scrabble down a very steep bank, and you end up on the wrong side of the canal(opposite side to the towpath). Much safer to use decent footpath to put/get in. Kmac, the squirrels will wake you up in the morning as they fight and squabble/chase each other around the trees just for the hell of it

The third arrow down is a sloping pathway down to the canal not a climb down the bank, with a fairly flat launch area. We always use it when we go (and I'm on crutches!).