Berkshire - River Thames - Bray to Windsor (& return)

How to get there - Bray is just a mile or so south of Maidenhead bridge. From the M4 it is best approached from Junction 8. Take the Motorway spur (A308M) signposted to Maidenhead and at the roundabout take the third exit (A308 towards Windsor). Take the fourth left (as you go under the motorway) into Upper Bray Road. This will lead into High Street, Bray. Ferry Road is the fourth on the right and the slipway is at the far end. (map)

Suggested Launch Site - The slipway is at the end of Ferry Road, next to the Waterside Inn (considered by many to be the countrys best restaurant). Parking at the slipway is purely for the temporary use of the slipway so I suggest you unload and then park in the village car park at the junction of Old Mill Lane and High Street. (Use the link to the map and zoom in.)

General Description - The trip to Windsor is about 4 .4 miles (9 mile return trip) taking you through locks.
From the launch site, go to the right (taking care to enter the lock cut and not the wier channel) to Bray lock. All Thames locks are manned by lockkeepers who are happy for canoes to pass through with other vessels. On this occassion however we portaged round the lock with ease. The river now passes under the M4 but this is soon left behind as the hotel on Monkey Island, Bray film studios and Dorney Court are passed on the right. As you pass Windsor Race Course on the right you will reach Boveny Lock. After passing the wier channel on the right, take the right channel immediately in front of the lock chamber. This will lead you to a set of boat rollers which will simplify portaging.

The final stretch of just over a mile takes you into Windsor. This stretch is very popular with trip boats from Windsor turning at Boveney Lock and self drive lauches and rowing boats for the tourists.

After passing under the A355 (Windsor Bypass) there are ample mooring sites next to the park on the right.

We chose to picnic here prior to returning to the start. (route)

A number of photographs are by courtesy of http://www.windsor.gov.uk,/a>

Comments:

28 May 2007	Keith	I think the Bray slipway is now clear of nesting swans. There are two or three backwaters on this stretch described in www.canoedaysout.com/trip/303, which although it starts in Windsor covers much of the same stretch
16 Jun 2007	Nic Harley	Hi Keith, I just had to let you know - that we did this and it was really lovely! Thanks nic
27 Jul 2007	Andrew Dale	I live in Windsor and would like to canoe locally. I would be interested to canoe from Bray to Windsor. I don't own a canoe so please advise if this is possible.Thank you. Tel work 01628547210 Home address 17 Clewer Fields Windsor SL4 5BW

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