DAYS: 2 Days
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DISTANCE: 24.12 miles (38.82km)
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STYLE: RIVER
(non-navigable) |
MONTH ATTEMPTED: SEPTEMBER
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SUP RATING: *****
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EXPERIENCE THE WILDS OF THE RIVER STOURThe River Stour acts as a natural border between the county's of Essex and Suffolk. In a former life it was a commercial waterway dating back to 1705 as a means of transporting cargo up and down the river. Not long after the turn of the 20th century commercial activities diminished letting a lot of the structures lining the route fall into disrepair. Over time the river has returned to a more natural environment boasting a larger array of ecological activity. Since 1968 with the establishment of the River Stour Trust, some of these structures have been restored. However, at many points on the stretch between Sudbury and the Cattawade Barrier the river remains non-navigable to larger craft due to very shallow waters. However, this makes it the perfect waterway to explore on lighter craft, such as canoe, kayak or SUP. This river really feels like a proper 'undiscovered' wilderness and, at times, plotting a route through the overgrown vegetation can feel like a bigger adventure.
STATS4 locks
9 Weirs IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAll crafts including SUP's must have a British Waterways Licence
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DAY 1: SUDBURY > RUSHBANKS FARM
(10.72 miles / 17.26 kilometres) DAY 2: RUSHBANKS FARM > CATTAWADE BARRIER (near Manningtree)
(13.4 miles / 21.56 kilometres) |