Difference between revisions of "Tidal Thames: Teddington to Shadwell"
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==Tidal Thames: Teddington to Shadwell== | ==Tidal Thames: Teddington to Shadwell== | ||
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[[File:TedToShad.jpeg]] | [[File:TedToShad.jpeg]] | ||
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Our start point for the Thames is the begining of the <i>tidal</i> section at <i>Teddington Lock</i>. Yes, I | Our start point for the Thames is the begining of the <i>tidal</i> section at <i>Teddington Lock</i>. Yes, I | ||
am aware there are some <i>250 Kilometres</i> of water upstream of here, but it <u>flat</u> water. These pages | am aware there are some <i>250 Kilometres</i> of water upstream of here, but it <u>flat</u> water. These pages | ||
are about the <u>sea</u> ! | are about the <u>sea</u> ! | ||
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The TIDE at this top-end of the river is quite <i>asymmetric</i>, having roughly <b>9</b> hours of <i>ebb</i> | The TIDE at this top-end of the river is quite <i>asymmetric</i>, having roughly <b>9</b> hours of <i>ebb</i> | ||
vs <b>3</b> hours of <i>flood</i> (vs about <b>7/5</b> at <i>London bridge</i>). HW at <i>Richmond/Teddington</i> | vs <b>3</b> hours of <i>flood</i> (vs about <b>7/5</b> at <i>London bridge</i>). HW at <i>Richmond/Teddington</i> | ||
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paddling with the tide, it turns out that you have around <i>6 hours</i> in <i>either</i> direction, as this | paddling with the tide, it turns out that you have around <i>6 hours</i> in <i>either</i> direction, as this | ||
hypothetical tide timetable shows: | hypothetical tide timetable shows: | ||
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<pre> HW LW HW<br> Richmond 08:00 17:00 20:00 so 08:00->14:00 (~6 hours) paddling Eastbound<br> London Bridge 07:00 14:00 19:00 or 14:00->20:00 (~6 hours) paddling Westbound<br></pre> | <pre> HW LW HW<br> Richmond 08:00 17:00 20:00 so 08:00->14:00 (~6 hours) paddling Eastbound<br> London Bridge 07:00 14:00 19:00 or 14:00->20:00 (~6 hours) paddling Westbound<br></pre> | ||
The <i>Teddington/Richmond </i>section has the added complication that only the "top 2 hours" of the tide | The <i>Teddington/Richmond </i>section has the added complication that only the "top 2 hours" of the tide | ||
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of local landowners, and provides a pleasing surface for the swans to glide around on. To keep things simple, | of local landowners, and provides a pleasing surface for the swans to glide around on. To keep things simple, | ||
aim to pass <i>Richmond</i> within 2 hours of HW. | aim to pass <i>Richmond</i> within 2 hours of HW. | ||
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From <i>Richmond to Putney</i>, the river is quiet and almost rural. At most states of the tide there are | From <i>Richmond to Putney</i>, the river is quiet and almost rural. At most states of the tide there are | ||
plenty of places to stop, the riverbank being mostly shingle. This is a popular area for <i>rowing</i>, so expect to | plenty of places to stop, the riverbank being mostly shingle. This is a popular area for <i>rowing</i>, so expect to | ||
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<a mce_thref="" mce_href="">The Rowing Code</a>, if you can get your head around it!). Obviously, <i>kayakers</i> need to give | <a mce_thref="" mce_href="">The Rowing Code</a>, if you can get your head around it!). Obviously, <i>kayakers</i> need to give | ||
<i>rowers</i> a wide berth, as the latter cannot see where they're going (because they face the "wrong" way...) | <i>rowers</i> a wide berth, as the latter cannot see where they're going (because they face the "wrong" way...) | ||
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<table> | <table> | ||
<tbody> | <tbody> | ||
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</tbody></table> | </tbody></table> | ||
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East of <i>Putney</i>, everything changes ! You are entering a major capital city, so of course the river buzzes | East of <i>Putney</i>, everything changes ! You are entering a major capital city, so of course the river buzzes | ||
with activity - and you need to keep your eyes open ! | with activity - and you need to keep your eyes open ! | ||
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These factors, plus the sheer density of traffic East of <i>Westminster bridge</i>, make this a river to take | These factors, plus the sheer density of traffic East of <i>Westminster bridge</i>, make this a river to take | ||
seriously ! But it is also seriously nice, so don't be put off ! | seriously ! But it is also seriously nice, so don't be put off ! | ||
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<table> | <table> | ||
<tbody> | <tbody> |
Revision as of 20:34, 8 June 2009
Tidal Thames: Teddington to Shadwell
Our start point for the Thames is the begining of the tidal section at Teddington Lock. Yes, I
am aware there are some 250 Kilometres of water upstream of here, but it flat water. These pages
are about the sea !
The TIDE at this top-end of the river is quite asymmetric, having roughly 9 hours of ebb
vs 3 hours of flood (vs about 7/5 at London bridge). HW at Richmond/Teddington
is around 1 hour after London Bridge. For those organising trips for the first time (and wanting tide support)
this is reasonably confusing ! How long have I got to complete the trip ?. Well, as long as you are
paddling with the tide, it turns out that you have around 6 hours in either direction, as this
hypothetical tide timetable shows:
HW LW HW<br> Richmond 08:00 17:00 20:00 so 08:00->14:00 (~6 hours) paddling Eastbound<br> London Bridge 07:00 14:00 19:00 or 14:00->20:00 (~6 hours) paddling Westbound<br>
The Teddington/Richmond section has the added complication that only the "top 2 hours" of the tide shows through, because a set of weir gates swing into place at Richmond to maintain levels above 1.7m over CD. Allegedly, this is to assist navigation, but it also keeps the river looking plump and fullsome for the benefit of local landowners, and provides a pleasing surface for the swans to glide around on. To keep things simple, aim to pass Richmond within 2 hours of HW.
From Richmond to Putney, the river is quiet and almost rural. At most states of the tide there are plenty of places to stop, the riverbank being mostly shingle. This is a popular area for rowing, so expect to find teams out practising - often seemingly on the "wrong" side of the river (but "right" according to <a mce_thref="" mce_href="">The Rowing Code</a>, if you can get your head around it!). Obviously, kayakers need to give rowers a wide berth, as the latter cannot see where they're going (because they face the "wrong" way...)
0k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4314,-0.3232%28Teddington%20Lock%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4314,-0.3232(Teddington%20Lock)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | Teddington Lock
|
2k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4455,-0.3206%28HAM%20HOUSE%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4455,-0.3206(HAM%20HOUSE)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | HAM HOUSE
car park adjoining playing fields. Nice beach area for launching, especially at HW. |
5k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4588,-0.3081%28Richmond%20Bridge%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4588,-0.3081(Richmond%20Bridge)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | Richmond Bridge
which is a kind of natural slipway. At HW springs, the river floods this whole riverbank area and laps at the ankles of drinkers in the front yard of the White Cross Hotel. |
11k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4742,-0.2727%28Chiswick%20Bridge%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4742,-0.2727(Chiswick%20Bridge)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | Chiswick Bridge
even a bench to sit on. |
12k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4728,-0.2548%28BARNES%20BRIDGE%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4728,-0.2548(BARNES%20BRIDGE)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | BARNES BRIDGE
on Riverside Drive (Chris). |
East of Putney, everything changes ! You are entering a major capital city, so of course the river buzzes
with activity - and you need to keep your eyes open !
Access to the banks is also rather limited, as there are few slipways, and the huge tidal range (7 meters)
makes it impracticable to climb over the side walls. At low tide, there are sandbanks and beaches to take a
break on, but when the water is up, the next stopping point might be miles away. Currents can also run
quite fast (up to 3 knots) particularly in the Westminster to London Bridge section where the river is narrow.
These factors, plus the sheer density of traffic East of Westminster bridge, make this a river to take
seriously ! But it is also seriously nice, so don't be put off !
18k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4673,-0.2160%28PUTNEY%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4673,-0.2160(PUTNEY)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | PUTNEY
Southwest of the bridge, and just West of the rowing club steps area - nice and quiet, with toilets nearby.
Other options include :
|
22k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4762,-0.1758%28St%20Mary%27s%20Church%20Battersea%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4762,-0.1758(St%20Mary's%20Church%20Battersea)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | ST MARY'S CHURCH BATTERSEA
Battersea Church Road touches the river. Car access and parking nearby. The spire of St Mary's Church (1775) is a distinctive landmark. |
26k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4882,-0.1242%28VAUXHALL%20MI5%20BEACH%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4882,-0.1242(VAUXHALL%20MI5%20BEACH)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | VAUXHALL MI5 BEACH
off the embankment leads to it (although of course, little chance of parking anywhere). Portuguese-style "Cafe Madeira" nearby makes a nice fuel stop (Albert Embankment, East side, in a railway arch - 300m) |
33k | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.5076,-0.0500%28SHADWELL%20BEACH%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.5076,-0.0500(SHADWELL%20BEACH)&z=14" target="_BLANK">map</a> | SHADWELL BEACH
is of course most famous as the home of the renowned <a href="http://www.towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk" mce_href="http://www.towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk" target="_BLANK">Tower Hamlets Canoe Club</a>, undoubtedly the best kayaking club in all Shadwell. Also just alongside is the renowned "Prospect of Whitby" pub, dating from 1543. So we take break here... |