Canoe Trail

You can park at the Mill carpark upstream and it is a 5 min walk through a tree lined river path to the outdoor centre or park in Bedford and join us a weekends on the Bedford Embankment

Our river is Grade 0 and flat slow moving water. Depending on the location then you will have to portage on the Bedford route to pass the locks and weirs when you will need to lift and carry your craft.

As such you will need an average level of fitness similar to a gentle walk in the countryside. Talk to us about fitness requirements for larger expeditions and trips.

Kempston Outdoor Centre our base has toilets including accessibility toilets on site. At our Bedford location it is river bank so customers need to visit the local cafe or other local facilities.

Customers hire canoes, kayaks and SUP's with young people in tow. Babies need to be supported when in our craft and there are facilities where you can change.

We recently featured in the Best Days Out with Dogs in the i paper and encoruage our canine companions to come for a doggy paddle. As such we recommend an open canoe and we also have several open double kayaks where the dogs can safely join you on the water.

We can help get your dog into your craft. Introducing them to the water on a short journey can be helpful if they have not paddled before. Equally if they dont learn to stay in the craft that can affect your day out.

Canoe Trail has our Canoe and Brew Horsebox cafe available as a pop up for drinks and snacks. In Bedford there is the local Longholme Cafe on the river adjacent the start or available on full day hires from Kempston paddling down and back to the Longholme. There is also the Kingfisher Hotel available for drinks and food on full day paddling trips.

visitors can bring picnics for the river, drinks and snacks. Birthday parties hosted by us often bring their own cake and picnic

Some areas of the site are uneven and the activities such as high ropes and climbing wall would require a specific discussion around accessibiliy and need.

Some areas of the site are uneven and the activities such as high ropes and climbing wall would require a specific discussion around accessibiliy and need.

Canoe Trail offer birthday parties with a range of different options including watersports, SUP safari, bouldering and climbing parties and bushcraft themed parties. Typically customers chose to remain on site in our beautiful surroundings for 30 minutes to enjoy picnics, drink and cake.

We also offer private guided trips from our centre for scouts, families and charities as well as school activity days. Customers can opt to book some of expeditions and trips as private guided trips to Scotland, Wales, UK and overseas bucket list experiences.