Paddleboarding on the River Stour – Cattawade to Dedham

OS map: Explorer 196 Sudbury, Hadleigh and Dedham Vale

The tranquil and beautiful River Stour on the Suffolk/Essex border is perfect for a day of paddling. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this paddle trail is ideal for kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. There is only one portage on this route.

This stunning rural landscape has inspired many painters over the years. It is known as ‘Constable Country’, being where the painter John Constable was born and where he painted his most celebrated works.

The picturesque Dedham Vale countryside was the inspiration for some of Constable’s most famous pictures, for example, the Hay Wain or Boatbuilding near Flatford Mill, among many others.

There is an abundance of wildlife to see in this charming hamlet. You will paddle in the midst of dragonflies, damselflies, herons, kingfishers, moorhens, lapwings, oystercatchers and swans.

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Parking: Cattawade Picnic Site. Darwin Close, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 1QW

The River Stour Trust manages Cattawade Picnic Site to ensure this vital river access point is retained. Park here and you can launch easily from the pontoon just across the grass. Turn right and paddle along the river. The first few miles are a beautiful meandering section of river which passes through nature reserves and open farmland, lined with reeds and waterlilies. In the summer months this section can sometimes get quite choked up with weed.

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After about 200m you can paddle into Constable Park Watersports Centre for free to get ice cream or visit the Coffee House. If it is too soon to stop for refreshments you can visit on the way back.

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After a couple of miles of following the river it will get a bit exposed in places but mostly remain fairly sheltered. You will then come to Judas Gap Weir on the left. The weir marks the start of the tidal River Stour. Keep to the right and follow the river round to the right. Take care here when the water is in strong flow.

You will then paddle underneath a canopy of trees. You may have to weave in and out of some fallen trees, watch out for branches in and out of the water.

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After around half a mile of paddling, you arrive at Flatford Mill where there is a purpose-built portage point on the left. You will need to get out here and carry your craft a hundred yards or so along the river path around the lock.

This is a perfect place to stop and have some lunch, whether it is a picnic by the river or a visit to the tearooms. At Flatford Mill a number of historic buildings of interest can be found. These picturesque buildings have been the subject of paintings and photography for centuries.

Wandering beside the River Stour or looking at the Mill and Willy Lott’s House you can feel as if you are actually walking through one of John Constable’s paintings.

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Rejoin the river via another portage point, above the lock, in front of the tearooms. From Flatford Mill Pond, pass under the wooden footbridge and paddle upstream. This is a gorgeous stretch of river which takes you through Dedham Vale; pleasant water meadows and past lots of cows. If it is hot the cows may be in the water, very close to you.

Warning, there are lots of people who enjoy hiring a boat in the summer months and rowing along the river so be careful of crazy zig-zagging rowing boats!

After about 1.5 miles you will reach Dedham, which is the midway turning point of the paddle.

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Just under the road bridge is a landing point on the left. There is a restaurant on the left, the Boatyard Dedham.

If you want to finish the paddle at Dedham there is a car park beyond the bridge; Dedham Riverside Car Park, Dedham Road, Dedham, Colchester CO7 6DH. There is a purpose-made landing point there to exit the river.

You could also continue paddling along the River Stour. At the car park there is a lock you will need to portage to keep exploring the river. If not, here is where you turn around for the paddle back again to Cattawade.

Note: The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the River Stour and you will need a licence from them. Alternatively you can join Paddle UK and that membership will automatically cover you.