River Thames: Henley to Temple Island and Hambleden Lock

Put in at the slipway just upstream of Henley Bridge and paddle down the long, straight reach used for the Henley Royal Regatta, between the meadows of the Bucks and Berkshire banks. At the end of the course is Temple Island, with its little domed temple built in 1771 as a fishing lodge and eye-catcher. The river then bends east under the Chiltern slopes towards Hambleden Lock. Turn well above the lock, keeping clear of the weir stream on the left, and come back.

It is 7.6 km there and back; allow about 1¾ hours in a canoe or kayak and 2¼ on a paddleboard. The grade is Very easy: wide, slow water with no locks to pass. Rowing crews train here most days, fast and facing backwards, so keep to the right-hand bank and look over your shoulder.

From about late May to August the regatta course is built, raced and taken down on this reach: keep outside the booms and cross only through the gaps when no race is running. Every craft on the Thames needs an Environment Agency registration, which Paddle UK membership covers. Check the Agency's Thames conditions page and stay off when there is a strong-stream warning. Wear a buoyancy aid and check the conditions before you set off.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap waterways (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.