Banner image for Paddle Boarding through Britain's Canals banner image

Paddle Boarding through Britain's Canals

• Water sports • May 12, 2016 • 5 mins

First person to SUP the length of Britain

Lizzie Carr was the first person to paddle board the length of Britain's canals. Find out more about the route she took and learn how to find more SUP, kayak and canoe routes in OS Maps.

Sign up

Padding Britain's canals

Starting from Godalming in Surrey, Lizzie paddled 20km each day for more than 20 days to work her way up towards Kendal in the Lake District. As the first person to complete this incredible feat Lizzie not only challenged herself physically but challenged everyone to #GetOutside and make the most of this beautiful country, its waterways and the surrounding countryside and city-scapes.

Protecting our waters

She also took a more serious message with her to protect these areas; plastic pollution is an increasing issue that is causing problems for wildlife that, if left to continue, could ruin the beauty, peace and natural diversity of the areas for future generations.

“Our canals are iconic pieces of history that provide a presence of calm and tranquillity in urban settings. They are easily accessible all over the country, but they are currently under threat from plastic pollution and debris that, if we don’t address soon, will compromise the beauty and quality of our experiences along the canals", says Lizzie.

Read more about Lizzie's work with plastic patrol.

paddle boarding

The paddle route

During her challenge, Lizzie paddled through some of the most iconic parts of the country as she travels north; from the river Wey up through Oxford before entering the Stoke on Trent canal, then on towards the river Douglas before reaching the river Ribble and the Ribble Link. She was the first paddle boarder to be granted access to this part of the water network which marked a great turning point for stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), which at that time was a relatively new sport.

Lizzie's paddle boarding route through Britain's canals - use the links below for individual route segments

Lizzie's paddle boarding route through Britain's canals - use the links for individual route segments

Lizzie's paddle boarding route through Britain's canals - use the links for individual route segments

View the route on OS Maps

Stage Route Link
1 Godalming - Woking Click here
2 Woking - Windsor Click here
3 Windsor - Hurley
Click here
4 Hurley- Reading Click here
5 Reading - Didcot Click here
6 Didcot - Oxford Click here
7 Oxford - Upper Heyford Click here
8 Upper Heyford - Claydon Click here
9 Claydon - Rugby Click here
10 Rugby - Coventry Click here
11 Coventry- Nuneaton Click here
12 Nuneaton - Tamworth Click here
13 Tamworth - Rileyhill Click here
14 Rileyhill - Stone Click here
15 Stone - Kidsgrove Click here
16 Kidsgrove - Northwich Click here
17 Northwich - Lymm Click here
18 Lymm - Leigh Click here
19 Leigh - Sollom Click here
20 Sollom - Bilsborrow Click here
21 Bilsborrow - Lancaster Click here
22 Lancaster - Stainton Click here

Whether you're looking to take on your own epic on-the-water challenge or just want to paddle somewhere new, you can find hundreds of recommended paddle routes in OS Maps. Remember to follow British Canoeing's Paddlers Code to help protect our waterways and stay safe.

Published: May 12, 2016 Edited: Nov 03, 2022

Sign up to get more content

Routes nearby

Get more inspiration
Cromford Canal Heritage Paddling Trail

Cromford Canal Heritage Paddling Trail

4.4 km
N/A
Unknown
Open route in OS Maps
Erewash Canal Trail Part 1: Langley Mill to Ilkeston Paddling Trail

Erewash Canal Trail Part 1: Langley Mill to Ilkeston Paddling Trail

8.1 km
N/A
Unknown
Open route in OS Maps
Bridgewater Canal; Worsley to Manchester Paddling Trail

Bridgewater Canal; Worsley to Manchester Paddling Trail

12.1 km
N/A
Unknown
Open route in OS Maps
River Debden; Waldringfield to Wilford Bridge Paddling Trail

River Debden; Waldringfield to Wilford Bridge Paddling Trail

16.3 km
N/A
Unknown
Open route in OS Maps

OS Maps

Never explore without one! Stay safe, and stay active with Britain’s most accurate outdoor maps.

Be inspired to do more and go further by equipping yourself with the best tools for the job. Our maps are built on 220 years of experience - we keep walkers, runners, cyclists and more safe in the great outdoors all year round.

Available from local outdoors retailers, bookshops and our online OS shop.

Go to the OS shop