GUIDE TO THE RIVER STOUR

(Fordwich to Grove Ferry to Sandwich)

NAME OF RIVER: River Stour, Kent.

WHERE IS IT?: The best section is a few miles downstream from Canterbury. 

PUT-INS/ TAKEOUTS:

Put in: Grove Ferry. The free riverside public car park is at TR 235632, next to the pub on a turning off the A28. There is a landing stage.

APPROX LENGTH: To Fordwich upstream and back, 8 miles. Downstream to Sandwich TR 332 583 about 10 miles but not worth the trouble river between high banks and very muddy, especially if trying to get out at Sandwich on all but the highest tide.

TIME NEEDED: 2 hours less if you get the tide just right.

ACCESS HASSLES: Public tidal water.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Leave Grove Ferry about 2 hours after high water at Dover to get tidal advantage going upstream and coming back. Spring tides advised if going all the way to Fordwich.

GRADING: I placid.

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: River with reedbeds and lakes (old gravel workings).

OTHER NOTES: The lakes and the marshes (especially Stodmarsh on the south bank) support a very large variety of birds. Stodmarsh is a Nature reserve please respect notices.

CONTRIBUTED BY: David Wilson.