Buckinghamshire - River Ouse - Tyringham to Harrold
This page was submitted by Colin Southward
How to get there - Tyringham is just off the B526 six mile north of junction 14 of the M1 at Newport Pagnell. (map)
Suggested Launch Site - The start is at the bridge shown on the map, just off the B526. As this is a one way trip you will need to leave a second car at the finish at Harrold Bridge (See map)
General
Description - This is a great 15 mile trip, not to be done anywhere near the fishing season. We did it at the start of June, there were four short portages, all taken on the right, except we shot the last one at Harrold. At Harrthe minor road bridge shown on the map, shoot the bridge on the extreme right as you look at it.
Start at Tyringham House, Grade 1 Georgian Listed house, now divided into apartments. Easy get in below the bridge. Very quiet on the river, some little side channels to take, but they can get very overgrown. We saw a Muntjac swimming across the river. First portage at Ravenstone, there is an automatic overspill on the right which gave us a short and easy portage.
We then saw kingfishers, buzzards and herons before getting to Olney, portage on the right again. the sides can be overgrown with nettles. The river goes round in a big loop and heads more north now and it takes a long time to leave Olney behind. Another short portage at Lavendon Mill. None were difficult. There is a pub marked at Newton Blossomville, make sure you take the channel on the right to get to it. It can be overgrown at the bottom and you may have to paddle back upstream to get out.
Just before Turvey another weir, on the right and find a way under the bushes. At the road bridge you can land on the left and get out to go to another pub for refreshments.
The last weir above Harold can be shot in the centre, inspect it first though. At the bridge at Harold itself, shoot it on the right and immediately pull over to the left to get out near the entrance to the country park and car park.
It took us about four and half hours including stops. We saw one other canoeist, the current was reasonable, but best to do it individually and not in a group. One of the best runs we have done. (route)
