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. FOR THE SAME DAY HIRE, PLEASE JUST TURN UP.

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.

  • Moonlight Guided Paddle - Friday 25th September

    Moonlight Guided Paddle – Friday 25th September

    From: £28.00

    Join us for a guided trip for a Moonlight Paddle - Friday 25th September, arrive 5.30pm.

    Join Ian our instructor for a Moonlight guided night paddle - choose to Kayak or Paddleboard. Please meet at 5.30pm, to be off the water by 7pm with a complimentary hot chocolate on return. Glow sticks included! Just a bring a headtorch.

    Dry bags and buoyancy aids will be provided. Please wear something comfortable and very warm to paddle in. Waterproof over trousers are ideal. Bring a complete change of clothes/towel and we have changing rooms and toilets on-site.

    If you would like to make an evening of it we can book you a table for our Pizza evening from 7.15pm (Pizzas not included in this price). Menu can be found on our Cafe page - just email sarah@constablepark.co.uk once booked this event if you would like to stay for pizza evening. We close at 9pm.

    All abilities for kayaking, but this is not suitable for beginner paddleboarding but experienced paddleboarders welcome. Children must be aged 12 or over, and accompanied with a paying adult on the trip.

    Terms & Conditions:

    We cannot promise the Moon will appear if the weather is cloudy. This event will take place even if it is raining so please dress accordingly. If strong winds prevent this trip we will endeavour to reschedule or issue a voucher. Children must be aged 12 or over, and accompanied with a paying adult on the trip.

    Read more
  • Paddle, Pizza & Prosecco Event

    Paddle, Pizza & Prosecco Event

    From: £36.00

    Paddle, 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
    Read more
  • Single Kayaks

    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. FOR THE SAME DAY HIRE, PLEASE JUST TURN UP.
    • Open at 10am everyday.
    • 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.

    Read more
  • Single Paddleboard

    Single Paddleboard

    From: £18.00

    Paddleboards 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. FOR THE SAME DAY HIRE, PLEASE JUST TURN UP.
    • Open at 10am everyday.
    • 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.

    Read more
  • Tandem Kayaks

    Tandem Kayaks

    From: £35.00

    A 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. FOR THE SAME DAY HIRE, PLEASE JUST TURN UP.
    • Open at 10am everyday.
    • 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.

     

    Read more
  • Tandem Paddleboard

    Tandem Paddleboard

    From: £35.00

    A 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. FOR THE SAME DAY HIRE, PLEASE JUST TURN UP.
    • Open at 10am everyday.
    • 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.

     

    Read more

    • 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:

    Ice cream from the Kayak/Paddleboard Hire Centre
    Coffee or lunch at the year-round Constable Park Cafe
    A relaxed afternoon in our deckchairs overlooking the river
    This is paddleboarding and kayaking as it should be, simple, scenic and welcoming.

    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.