[Closed] Where can I kayak?

Cuckmere haven was where I learnt to paddle. Not sure if there is any restriction.

Watching with interest, as I have wondered the same thing myself (the ramblers thing mentioned by the OP).

After 15 years in Cardiff, I don’t think I have ever seen a so much as a single kayaker on Cardiff Bay. I mean, what’s with that?!?

Anywhere in Scotland...

Access to inland water is a whole different kettle of fish compared to biking.
There are very old disputes between landowners and paddlers that show very little chance of being solved in the near future.
Your best bet is to check the British Canoe website and maybe get in touch with local clubs or access reps.
It’s fair to assume you don’t have a right of access to inland waters and you might risk going against a local agreement without checking.
In theory any tidal water has unlimited access but you need to be aware of whose land you cross to get there!
It makes riding on footpaths seem very straightforward I’m afraid.

In theory I think you need a licence to paddle on British waterways controlled Canals etc. No idea if it’s enforced though.

Access to rivers can be contentious, fisherman don’t like kayakers at all.

Some good info here.

https://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/england/south-east/

The sea doesn’t have any restrictions other than the fact its unforgiving and it’ll kill you fairly quickly if you don’t know what you are doing...

Check with the BCU they'll have guidance. It's been a looooong time since I've paddled, and I was a kid then so I didn't really pay much attention to rules but iirc pretty much anything that want a private lake is fair game, although I'd probably avoid harbours, or anywhere where there's lots of motorised traffic.

Canals are nice if they're well used, it's like road cycling without the cars.

I was doing a bit of research on this and it seemed you need a Waterways Licence which you get if you become a bcu member...

https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/go-canoeing/access-and-environment/licensing

Lister has it pretty much spot on. It's hideously complex. Kayaking recently went through the same phase that MTB is about to enter.

Up till about twenty years ago boaters begged and grovelled for pitiful access agreements to limited stretches of river. Some rivers had strict ticket quotas that you had to buy months in advance. Then the in'ernet came along, people started to talk more and they realised "sod this, this is our land too" and in fact some very very old legislation actually granted legal access to pads of rivers.( All hanging on the exact definition of "navigable", which has of course changed since 1066)

To cut a long story short, boaters used their judgement to decide what and when to paddle, rather than kowtowing to the fishermen. Essentially said take me to court or shut up.

So generally people paddle many more rivers than they used to, through more of the year. BUT be aware that in many places Plod thinks he still only represents the hunting shooting fishing gentry and so probably won't take any action when you come back to find your van keyed.

Oh, and to add weight to what someone above said... be very careful. Remember that it only takes around two minutes to go from "excellent chillled day out with friends/family" to body on the bank. Assuming you can disentangle the body from the tree it's stuck in.

I've done a reasonable amount of nth, skiing, boarding, ice climbing, rock climbing some surfing etc. I gave up kayaking as it was too dangerous.

Having said which, it's damn good fun 🙂

I've been a paddler on an off for 40+ years. I'm lucky to have the Basingstoke canal at the end of my road - one of the prettiest stretches of canal in the UK and there's nothing better on a summer evening to put my boat on my shoulder, walk to the end of the street and go for an hour or two - you get a wholly different perspective down on the water even in comparison to running on the towpath - kingfishers flying in front of you, herons pretending to not see you and badgers in the undergrowth.
As said ^, British Canoeing membership entitles you to access to many inland waterways. At sea, there are no restrictions but stay clear of harbours / seaways where possible. You can't land on private land which only extends down to the tide line - keep your boat / feet in the water and you're not trespassing. Sea and river kayaking you need be more conscious of the water conditions / tide and weather. You're getting splashed all the time and when you get tired your stroke goes to pot, so a combination of cold, fatigue and wind means staying warm / dry is important. If planning more than gentle paddling, then joining a club, developing a good stroke and more confidence means you can paddle further and faster safely. Paddling at sea you also have to deal with tide and wind which can be faster than you can paddle something like an inflatable or sit-on-top - best to start off against a slack / turning tide and have it behind you on the way home.

Be careful paddling in marinas sometimes it's banned, dangerous places to paddle anyway as moving boats cannot see you. The water is pretty minging anyway. I now just paddle along the coast.

Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The same access rights enjoyed by cyclists, walkers and equestrians also apply to paddlers.

Rights to free access of waterways go right back to Roman times but the Magna Carta Clause 33 states clear and free passage on rivers.

RIVERACCESSFORALL.CO.UK "http://www.riveraccessforall.co.uk/docs/Remember_Clause_33_leaflet.pdf"

I live in Eastbourne. Just wait for some calm weather and go in the sea. Otherwise oxbow lake at cuckmere, or Barcombe mills if you want zero risk.

In the summer I often go from seaford, park near the cliffs, paddle round to cuckmere. Beer on the beach, catch a mackerel on the way back, BBQ or home to cook it for tea. I find it easier to park and get in at seaford if you want to paddle around the cliffs (boring just going along the beach) the Eastbourne meads end is difficult access with the road height and rocks/tide.

Was thinking of Meads end at low tide and exploring the line of rocks off shore. The cafe at the end of the prom must have some sort of access. Will investigate it.

Thanks for recommendations we used to camp at Cuckmere when we were kids. Would be fitting to start our adventure there.