GUIDE TO THE RIVER ROTHER
(Robertsbridge to Newenden)
NAME OF RIVER: River Rother.
WHERE IS IT?: Sussex, near Bodiam Castle. Map.
PUT-INS/ TAKEOUTS:Put in: Easiest, including roadside parking, at either Newenden recreation ground (A28 in Newenden, north bank and east of road), B2082 between Wittersham and Iden, or from a tributary, the Newmill Channel on a side road at TQ872281. could also ask NT for permission to put in from their land at Bodiam Castle.
APPROX LENGTH: Bodiam 3 miles Newenden 5 miles Iden 5 miles Scots Float Lock at Rye. Canoeable in flood conditions from Robertsbridge.
TIME NEEDED: You pays your money and you takes your choice!
ACCESS HASSLES: Public navigation.
WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Regulated at Scots Float lock from tidal water no other locks or weirs.
GRADING: I placid.
MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: None.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Boring between high embankments. Best bit is Newenden to Bodiam and back; you can go ashore at Bodiam, round the Castle (NT) and have tea.
OTHER NOTES: Unbelievably, when you see it, the French attacked Robertsbridge, another 5 miles above Bodiam, in the 14th century up what is today little more than a ditch (it would have been tidal then).
CONTRIBUTED BY: David Wilson.
