Difference between revisions of "Medway Tidal River"
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[[File:Medway Tidal River.jpeg]] | [[File:Medway Tidal River.jpeg]] | ||
| − | + | The tidal part of the Medway starts as an unpromising, muddy channel close to the M20, at ''Allington Lock''. | |
| − | The tidal part of the Medway starts as an unpromising, muddy channel close to the M20, at | ||
It winds North through flattish and semi-rural landscape, before passing through the industrial towns | It winds North through flattish and semi-rural landscape, before passing through the industrial towns | ||
| − | of | + | of ''Rochester'', ''Chatham'' and ''Gillingham'' and their surrounding chalk downland. |
| − | + | ||
| − | |||
This is a pleasant area to paddle, particularly in Winter when it is quiet, or on windy days when | This is a pleasant area to paddle, particularly in Winter when it is quiet, or on windy days when | ||
other more exposed outings are ruled out. Lying mostly North-South, it is well protected against | other more exposed outings are ruled out. Lying mostly North-South, it is well protected against | ||
prevailing Westerlies. | prevailing Westerlies. | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Access is a bit difficult everywhere except at ''Gillingham Strand'' and ''Allington Lock'', | |
| − | Access is a bit difficult everywhere except at | ||
the 2 endpoints of this section. Hence this tends to be a 25K "straight through" paddle. It can be done | the 2 endpoints of this section. Hence this tends to be a 25K "straight through" paddle. It can be done | ||
in either direction, but is most practical in the Downstream (Northbound) direction, as this gets the | in either direction, but is most practical in the Downstream (Northbound) direction, as this gets the | ||
| − | tide-critical access at | + | tide-critical access at ''Allington Lock'' out of the way at the start, and you have both the tide and |
| − | the river flow on your side. HW at | + | the river flow on your side. HW at ''Allington lock'' is around 2 hours after ''HW Dover''. |
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| − | < | + | {| |
| − | <a | + | |- |
| + | |0k | ||
| + | |[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.2956,0.5019%28Allington%20lock%29&z=14 map] | ||
| + | |'''Allington lock''' <br>HW +- 0.5h, landing on West side near the lock, Parking/food in nearby "Malta Inn" (tel 01622 717251) and large and popular waterfront pub. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |10k | ||
| + | |[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3503,0.4566%28Wouldham%29&z=14 map] | ||
| + | |'''Wouldham''' <br>HW only, East bank, road access difficult. Also a club pontoon on West bank as stopping point. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |16k | ||
| + | |[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3928,0.4994%28Rochester%20Bridge%29&z=14 map] | ||
| + | |'''Rochester Bridge''' <br>Access via steps, no parking, best avoided. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |18k | ||
| + | |[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3850,0.5205%28Chatham%20%22Blue%20Pontoon%22%29&z=14 map] | ||
| + | |'''Chatham "Blue" pontoon''' <br>Just off ''A231 Medway St''. Stopping point to rest/adjust kit, but no easy boat access or parking. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |24k | ||
| + | |[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3976,0.5634%28GILLINGHAM%20STRAND%29&z=14 map] | ||
| + | |'''GILLINGHAM STRAND''' <br>24hr slipway, parking, toilets, Cafe sometimes open. Excellent ! | ||
| + | |} | ||
Latest revision as of 21:00, 9 June 2009
The tidal part of the Medway starts as an unpromising, muddy channel close to the M20, at Allington Lock.
It winds North through flattish and semi-rural landscape, before passing through the industrial towns
of Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham and their surrounding chalk downland.
This is a pleasant area to paddle, particularly in Winter when it is quiet, or on windy days when other more exposed outings are ruled out. Lying mostly North-South, it is well protected against prevailing Westerlies.
Access is a bit difficult everywhere except at Gillingham Strand and Allington Lock, the 2 endpoints of this section. Hence this tends to be a 25K "straight through" paddle. It can be done in either direction, but is most practical in the Downstream (Northbound) direction, as this gets the tide-critical access at Allington Lock out of the way at the start, and you have both the tide and the river flow on your side. HW at Allington lock is around 2 hours after HW Dover.
| 0k | map | Allington lock HW +- 0.5h, landing on West side near the lock, Parking/food in nearby "Malta Inn" (tel 01622 717251) and large and popular waterfront pub. |
| 10k | map | Wouldham HW only, East bank, road access difficult. Also a club pontoon on West bank as stopping point. |
| 16k | map | Rochester Bridge Access via steps, no parking, best avoided. |
| 18k | map | Chatham "Blue" pontoon Just off A231 Medway St. Stopping point to rest/adjust kit, but no easy boat access or parking. |
| 24k | map | GILLINGHAM STRAND 24hr slipway, parking, toilets, Cafe sometimes open. Excellent ! |
