Where To Launch Your Paddle Board On The Thames - Top 10 Spots
To truly embrace the UK’s waterways, discover the delight of stand up paddle boarding (SUP). We’re going to share with you 10 of our favourite spots along the River Thames.
The Flower Pot, Henley on Thames, RG9 3DG
River: River Thames
Facilities: There is a great slipway to launch from. There is also a jetty but it’s raised up pretty high. We launch from the slipway, amongst all the ducks. There is no cafe or toilets however there is a country pub only 5 minutes walk from the river.
Parking: There is a small amount of free parking down the end of Ferry Lane, right by the slipway, alternatively there is parking at the Flower Pot pub, but you will probably need to purchase food/drink from them. This is a popular spot for wild swimming so it can get busy. This area is absolutely stunning, and is very high up on our list of favourite places to paddle.
Paddle rating 🏄🏄🏄🏄
Lechlade-on-Thames, GL7 3AQ
River: River Thames
Facilities: Situated in the Cotswolds, it’s hard to believe this is actually still the Thames. Lechlade-on-Thames is the furthest you can go up river on the Thames by motor boat. Small crafts are allowed to launch from the slipway at the bottom of Bell Lane, just next to the Riverside Pub. There is no cafe or toilets however there is the pub right by the river. There is also a hire place on site too.
Parking: Lechlade Riverside Car Park, a pay and display car park which has been known to extend into fields for overspill parking during the summer. The river is just 100 yards away and this area is truly breathtaking.
Paddle rating 🏄🏄🏄🏄🏄
Ditton Beach, Albany Reach - Park, KT7 0PY
River: River Thames
Facilities: No facilities here, just a gorgeous beach opposite Hampton Court Palace. Super easy to launch and plenty of picnic spots. This is a popular destination especially during the summer, so get down there early.
Parking: There is no parking here, just a residential road, Aragon Avenue, with a gate leading to the riverside. You could perhaps park at the Albany pub which is about a 2 minute walk.
Paddle rating 🏄🏄🏄🏄
Laleham Reach, KT16 8RN
River: River Thames
Facilities: Situated between Cherstey and Staines lies a village on the River Thames called Laleham. Laleham park car park has public toilets and you can launch easily from the river bank. If you launch a little further up at the Thameside car park there is a small public slipway for even easier access to the river.
Parking: There are two public pay and display car parks along Thameside road, Laleham Park car park and Thameside car park.
Paddle rating 🏄🏄
Eton, SL4 6BN
River: River Thames
Facilities: Located in the historic college town of Eton, which is overlooked by the majestic Windsor Castle. This is a great area to explore by water and on foot. There’s a beautiful meadow just by the river bank, perfect for lounging around on a hot summer's day and there are plenty of eateries in the town. Public toilets on the Windsor side of the river.
Parking: There’s a public pay and display car park along Meadow Lane, just next to a large meadow known as The Brocas. Cross the meadow and you’ll be right by the river side.
Paddle rating 🏄 🏄 🏄 🏄
Ham House, Ham, TW10 7HF
River: River Thames (Tidal)
Facilities: Ham is situated between Richmond and Kingston Upon Thames. Right next to the National Trust house, Ham House, with a cafe and toilets. Launching here is super easy due to its public slipway. As this area is on the tidal part of The Thames, it’s vital you check tide times before you launch (not the best picture but the slipway is just to the right of the car).
Parking: Free parking at Ham Street car park, right by the river front and public slipway.
Paddle rating 🏄🏄🏄
Ferry Lane Slipway, Oxfordshire, OX10 9FR
River: River Thames
Facilities: Between Wallingford Bridge and Goring Lock, down a small lane lies a pleasant slipway that allows easy access to the river. This is a really rural area with no facilities, but it’s absolutely stunning and very peaceful. Right next to Cholsey Marsh nature reserve.
Parking: Park up along Ferry Lane
Paddle rating:🏄🏄🏄
Wallingford Bridge Beach, OX10 8EB
River: River Thames
Facilities: On the East bank of the Thames with access along the A4130. Wallingford has a lovely sandy beach making launching nice and easy. There’s also a meadow behind the beach perfect for a picnic after a long SUP adventure. No cafe, but during peak times there’s an ice-cream van. Toilets, but no changing facilities.
Parking: Public car park - Riverside car park
Paddle rating: 🏄🏄🏄🏄
Donnington Bridge, Meadow Ln, Cowley, Oxford OX4 4BJ
River: River Thames & River Cherwell
Facilities: Located just by the Oxford Sea Cadets club house. Use the slipway to easily launch, then paddle up the Thames for about half a mile, turn off up the River Cherwell and paddle past the collages. Then you’ll come to a lovely pub called the The Victoria Arms, where you can stop off for a cheeky pint. Not that we recommend paddling under the influence :) There’s also some boat rollers for you to battle your way past, just hop off your SUP and walk around.
Parking: Small amount of ‘unofficial’ parking right next to the slipway down Meadow Ln.
Paddle rating: 🏄🏄🏄
Runnymede, Windsor Rd, Englefield Green, Windsor SL4 2JL
Facilities: Located by the by the Magna Carta centre, this area has a lot of history to take in. No slipway of such but it’s easy enough to launch of the bank, there’s a few low spots. Facilities include toilets and a lovely little tearoom. Either go left and paddle up to Old Windsor lock (2m) or go all the way to Windsor itself (5m). Or go the other way towards Stains via Bell Weir lock.
Parking: National Trust pay and display car park - Runnymede and Ankerwycke
Paddle rating: 🏄🏄🏄
Not on the Thames, but we couldn't resist telling you about a few of our other favourite spots to launch…
Byfleet Boat Club, KT14 6LE
River: River Wey
Facilities: The Byfleet boat club has a small jetty which I believe is also open to the public. There is a little sign saying something along the lines of; ‘If you wish to launch, you must have a British Canoeing membership’ - which you should have anyway to be able to paddle on any inland waterways in the UK. There is no cafe or toilets. The boat club rents out rowing boats, and they have facilities for members and visitors.
Parking: No car park. However I believe you can just park along Old Parvis Rd, there are no yellow lines or no parking signs.
Paddle rating 🏄🏄🏄🏄
Teston Bridge Country Park, ME18 5BX
River: River Medway
Facilities: No slipway or Jetty, we just launched from the river bank, which was easier enough. There are lots of facilities here such as toilets, childrens play area, picnic benches, ice cream van etc. Therefore it’s a popular family destination and can get busy. Full list of facilities here.
Parking: Large pay & display car park, with disabled parking available. Public transport; The nearest train station is East Farleigh or Wateringbury (2.5 miles)
Paddle rating 🏄🏄🏄🏄
Bosham Quay, Shore Road, Chichester Harbour, PO18 8LS
River: A large natural harbour (Tidal)
Facilities: Beach, so super easy to launch. Small village with not a lot going on, but what a place to paddle during sunset. Lots of other people paddling at the same time made it such a lovely atmosphere. We took our camping stove and made pasta on the shore side. As this area is tidal, it’s vital you check, double check, and triple check tide times and weather conditions before you launch.
Parking: No car park as such, you just have to park up on the side of the road. Watch out where you park as the tide comes in and out very quickly.
Paddle rating 🏄🏄🏄🏄🏄
We also love paddling in Emsworth, it’s a lovely little seaside village also in Chichester. With public toilets and a pay and display car park it’s a great spot.
If you haven’t got your own SUP yet, check out our guide to buying your first inflatable paddle board here.
Thank you for checking this out, we hope it helps you discover some new places to SUP.
Follow us on social media for more top tips
India & Joshua
