Relaxed Adventures on the River Stour
Explore the River Stour at your own pace with our kayak and paddleboard hire at Constable Park in the heart of Constable Country.
Our stretch of river is calm, scenic and beginner-friendly, perfect for families, couples and those looking for a gentle outdoor experience rather than high-adrenaline adventure.
For 2026 we have a simple booking system, but it’s not essential to book and we have lots of equipment. Just turn up on weekends, hire a craft and enjoy the water. All hire includes licensed craft, buoyancy aids and dry bags.
Seasonal hire: April – September OPEN 10AM EVERYDAY
Sunday – Thursday last hire 3pm, close at 4pm.
Friday & Saturday last hire 6.30pm, close at 7.30pm.
If you have your own board, please see the bottom of this page for self-launch information. If poor weather prevents us from opening we will update information on our social media pages.
Book Paddle, Pizza, Prosecco on our What’s On page.
Group Paddleboard Lesson
From: £28.00Group Paddleboard Lesson
Join our Instructor Ian for an introduction to paddleboarding for beginners. Learn the basics of getting started including launching, paddle strokes and the beginnings of how to stand up.
Paddleboards, dry bags and buoyancy aids will be provided. Please wear something comfortable to paddle in, such as shorts/leggings and T-shirt and either wet shoes or old trainers you are happy to get wet. Bring a change of clothes in case you do get wet and we have changing rooms. The session finishes with the option to practice capsize techniques if you wish to try.
This is a 1 hour group lesson for up to 12 people.
Paddle, Pizza & Prosecco Event
From: £36.00Paddle, Pizza & Prosecco
Paddle for an hour, then unwind in the Constable Café by the river with a freshly baked 12″ pizza and a glass of Prosecco, wine, bottled beer or a soft drink.
April-September (4pm-9pm)
What’s included:
- 1 hour paddleboard or kayak hire (or free self-launch)
- Buoyancy aid and dry bag
- 12″ freshly made stone-baked pizza
- One drink (Prosecco, wine, bottled beer or soft drink)
- Reserved table for your group
- Free parking, toilets and changing facilities
Single Kayaks
From: £18.00
Sit-on kayaks suitable for beginners and families.
- Some of our fleet are available for advance bookings. The majority of the fleet is available on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Open at 10am everyday and you can just turn up!
- Licensed with the Environment Agency.
- Single and tandem options available.
- Hire includes buoyancy aids and dry bags. Lifejackets available for small children.
IMPORTANT: Arriving for Your Session: Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you’re ready to check in and start on time. Sessions begin as booked, and a late arrival will reduce your time on the water.
Please see full description for age restrictions, weight limits and more details.
Single Paddleboard
From: £18.00Paddleboards suitable for beginners and families.
- Some of our fleet are available for advance bookings. The majority of the fleet is available on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Open at 10am everyday and you can just turn up!
- Licensed with the Environment Agency and ready to go.
- Single and tandem options available.
- Hire includes buoyancy aids and dry bags. Lifejackets available for small children.
IMPORTANT: Arriving for Your Session
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you’re ready to check in and start on time. Sessions begin as booked, and a late arrival will reduce your time on the water.
Please see full description for age restrictions, weight limits and more details.
Tandem Kayaks
From: £35.00A Tandem Kayak has two seats, with space in the centre for a small child as a passenger.
- Some of our fleet are available for advance bookings. The majority of the fleet is available on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Open at 10am everyday and you can just turn up!
- Licensed with the Environment Agency and ready to go.
- Hire includes buoyancy aids and dry bags. Lifejackets available for small children.
IMPORTANT: Arriving for Your Session
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you’re ready to check in and start on time. Sessions begin as booked, and a late arrival will reduce your time on the water.
Please see full description for age restrictions, weight limits and more details.
Tandem Paddleboard
From: £35.00A Tandem Paddleboard is a wider and more stable board, designed to carry two riders or having young children as passengers.
- Some of our fleet are available for advance bookings. The majority of the fleet is available on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Open at 10am everyday and you can just turn up!
- Licensed with the Environment Agency and ready to go.
IMPORTANT: Arriving for Your Session
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you’re ready to check in and start on time. Sessions begin as booked, and a late arrival will reduce your time on the water.
Please see full description for age restrictions, weight limits and more details.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A scenic paddle through Dedham Vale with wide skies, wildlife and peaceful countryside views. As you paddle through the undeveloped Dedham Vale and adjacent RSPB reserve, wildlife spotting is assured. Expect to meet swans, geese, moorhens and herons. A bit of luck and spot more rare egrets, marsh harriers, kites, lapwings and the very shy & elusive kingfishers. Many visitors paddle for an hour or two before returning for:
NEED TO KNOW
- • All participants must be able to swim 25 metres with the help of a supplied buoyancy aid
- • Children under 18 must be accompanied on the water by an adult
- • Arrive at least 15 minutes early for hire administration
- • Waterproof storage bags provided
- • Sessions are weather-dependent
- • Dogs are welcome at the Kayak/Paddleboard Hire Centre and outdoor café seating. Dogs under 15kg may join on tandem kayaks only if not distressed. We provide a dog buoyancy aid.
If strong winds or heavy rain are forecast, please call on the day to check conditions.
Kayak & Paddleboard Hire are operated by Anglia Adventures.
Booking & Parking
- • No advance booking required on weekends and summer school holidays, just turn up
- • Walk-ins welcome (subject to availability)
- • Free on-site parking at the Kayak/Paddleboard Hire Centre
- • Group bookings available
At busy times, you may have a short wait, which is the perfect excuse for an ice cream
SELF-LAUNCH INFORMATION
We allow limited self-launching of privately owned paddleboards and kayaks:
No self-launching on weekends, school holidays or bank holidays.
- • Midweek (term-time only) self-launch is available for a £10 launch fee and this includes up to 3 hours free parking or our closing time if sooner
- • Due to limited parking, peak-time launching is not permitted apart from weekend offer
There is a free public launch point at Cattawade (approx. 200m away). You are welcome to launch there and paddle to Constable Park to visit the Constable Park Café or the Kayak/Paddleboard Hire Centre free of charge, as long as you paddle out again and do not take a parking space.
This policy helps us manage parking and maintain a relaxed environment for all visitors.
RELAX & REFUEL
After your paddle, unwind in our Constable Park deckchairs overlooking the river.
We serve:
- • Kelly’s of Cornwall ice creams
- • Cold drinks
- • Tea & coffee
- • Light snacks
Or head over to the Constable Park Café for a full breakfast or relaxed lunch, open throughout the year.
