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Self Guided Paddle Adventures on the River Stour



CLOSED FOR 2022 - REOPENING March 2023

Please use the links below to pre-book your adventures on the Suffolk Stour.

For bookings starting within the next 24 hours, please call 01206 700 707




River Stour Navigation Guide / Map - click to view



Sudbury - Taster Paddles (1 hour)



Sat & Sun AM: 10:00am - 13:00pm
60 mins @ £35 per canoe



Great for the mind, body and soul! Wellness Paddles are a great way to get out and get in touch with the calm of nature and to explore the top of the River Stour.


Canoes are suitable for 2 adults with passenger space on the floor in the middle for 1 teenage child or 2 <10's.


Book Here





Sudbury - Return Canoe Hires



Thurs - Tues starting from 09:30 to last start at 3:30pm (last return 1830hrs)

3 hours @ £60 per canoe

Full Day @ £110 per canoe



Canoes are large stable boats suitable for two adults with space on the floor in the middle for 1 teenage child or 2 <10's.


Half day return hires provide ample time to explore the upper section of the navigable Stour from our Sudbury base. Paddling upriver takes you into the beautiful water meadows and downriver past the commons and out into tranquil rural flat-lands of the valley.


Full day paddlers will likely reach further toward Bures and experience some the quietest 'wilderness' sections of the river with more wildlife and fewer humans!


Book Here - 3 hours Book Here - Full Day





Sudbury - Return Kayak Hires



Thurs - Tues starting from 09:30 to last start at 3:30pm (last return 1830hrs)

3 hours @ £30 per kayak

Full Day @ £55 per kayak



Stable single seat 'sit on top' kayaks, supplied with low back rests for support and comfort. Suitable for independent paddlers 14 years upward.


Half day return hires provide ample time to explore the upper section of the navigable Stour from our Sudbury base. Paddling upriver takes you into the beautiful water meadows and downriver past the commons and out into tranquil rural flat-lands of the valley


Full day paddlers will likely reach further toward Bures and experience some the quietest 'wilderness' sections of the river with more wildlife and fewer humans!


Book Here - Day Hire Book Here - Half Day Hire





Sudbury - Return Tandem Kayak Hires



Thurs - Tues starting from 09:30 to last start at 3:30pm (last return 1830hrs)

3 hours @ £60 per canoe

Full Day @ £110 per canoe



Stable two person 'sit on top' kayaks, supplied with low back rests for support and comfort. Suitable for independent paddlers 14 years upward or one paddling adult plus a child passenger from approx 6 years old.


Half day return hires provide ample time to explore the upper section of the navigable Stour from our Sudbury base. Paddling upriver takes you into the beautiful water meadows and downriver past the commons and out into tranquil rural flat-lands of the valley.


Full day paddlers will likely reach further toward Bures and experience some the quietest 'wilderness' sections of the river with more wildlife and fewer humans!



Book Here





Paddleboard Hire & Lessons



Returning Summer 2022

Half Day: £35
2 Hour Introductory Lesson: £45pp



Paddleboards are a great fun way of experiencing the river from above.


Our fleet of hard (not inflatable) boards provide a large stable platform from which to explore the river and practice your strokes and skills and are available for 3 hour hires with a flexible start times, Wednesday - Monday.


Introductory Skills Sessions (2 hours) are available at Sat - Sun 0900-1100 and 1130-1330. Small Groups (max 6 participants) and Covid-Secure delivery. Children welcome with parent(s), min age 12 years old.


Please follow the links below for availability and online booking.


Book Introductory Lessons Here Hire Here





One-way Tandem Kayak Adventure Paddle



Thurs - Tues

1 Day (6-7 hours paddling + breaks)
£145 per two person Tandem Kayak



Paddle the upper River Stour Navigation from Sudbury to Nayland with our stable two person Tandem Kayaks. Enjoy quiet tranquil paddling along stretches, that many others don't use, in beautiful landscapes as the river weaves its way through the glorious Essex and Suffolk 'Stour Valley'.


Expect 6 hours of paddle time (plus breaks) and a 09:30 start. Bring a picnic / packed lunch or stop at The Eight Bells in Bures for a pub lunch at the halfway point.


Optional Taxi Transfers available in the morning (face coverings required).


Anytime Self Guided or Scheduled Guided Trips available.


Suitable for paddlers aged 16+. It's possible you'll get your feet wet / muddy and may have to push through reed sections in summer as your paddling quieter lesser used sections of river. .


Book Self-Guided





Canoe Camping / Sudbury to Sea (2 nights / 2 days)



£260 per person



Paddle the full 26 mile River Stour Navigation from Sudbury to the sea at Cattawade with our stable two person canoes camping at our partner site in Nayland on both the night before you adventure starts and as you reach the half way point of the river at the end of your first days paddling .


Enjoy quiet tranquil paddling along stretches, that many others don't use, in beautiful landscapes as the river weaves its way through the glorious Essex and Suffolk 'Stour Valley' and on through 'Constable Country'.


Expect 6-7 hours of paddle time (plus breaks) each day. Stop at perfectly located pubs for lunches and dinner or bring a picnic / bbq.


Priced per person and includes: one-way two day canoe hire, campsite fee for both nights, firepit with logs, scheduled transfers between the start / end and campsite (optional tent hire and guide / host service available at checkout)


NB: where an odd number of guests are booking a single user craft will be provided.


Suitable for paddlers aged 16+. It's possible you'll get your feet wet / muddy and may have to push through reed sections in summer as your paddling quieter lesser used sections of river.


Book Self-Guided





stour Navigation Guide / Map (illustrative, not to scale)



Stour Valley Adventure Centre is operated by Elemental Outdoors

Email: ElementalOutdoors@yahoo.com



Find us at: Riverside Restaurant, 43 Cross Street, sudbury, suffolk, co10 2dl