Between Maidenhead and Cookham, Cliveden Reach is one of the classic scenic stretches of the River Thames. Off the main channel, the backwaters of Hedsor Water at Cookham and the upper section of the Jubilee River at Maidenhead can be explored. An out and back trip from Maidenhead with no car ferry to worry about provides a five or six mile paddle suitable for all in kayak or open canoe in normal river conditions. A BCU sticker or Environment Agency (EA) licence is required.
The trip is best started at Boulters Lock, Maidenhead where there is a free public car park (height restriction) a few yards from the river. From Maidenhead Bridge on the A4, turn into the A4094 to Cookham and the car park (O.S Map ref 175/903825) is on the left, about 100yds after the lock. Toilets and a café can be found in the park and gardens on the island behind Boulters Lock.
Just across the road from the car park and towards the upper end of the lock the bank is dropped to provide an easy launch. Paddling upstream to Cookham, the entrance to the upper Jubilee River comes into view almost immediately on the right and is easily identified by a barrier system to only allow canoes and small craft to pass through. The half mile or so tranquil tree lined backwater leads to Taplow Mills where there is no egress and necessitates returning to the Thames.
Back on the Thames, the steep wooded hillside of Cliveden owned by the National Trust is followed for 1.5 miles past a series of small islands to Cookham Lock where the river divides into three channels. The right hand channel leads into the backwater of Hedsor Water that is now open to public navigation.
The EA gained a ruling from the High Court in 2002 that it has a public right of navigation, and disputed by the riparian owners since 1870. If the notice denying access is still in situ at the mouth of the backwater it should be ignored. Landing in Hedsor Water and portaging the weir at the top end is not possible as all the banks are private, requiring a return to Cookham Lock.
There is a landing point and grassed area for breaks by the public moorings at Cookham Lock and another by the weir at the head of the backwater to the left of the lock cut entrance; and closer to the toilets on the lock island. It is also a short walk from this point into Cookham village for pubs etc.
On the return to Maidenhead, there is the Jubilee River to visit if not paddled earlier and the option to stop off at the portage point for Boulters Lock to view the BCU flume on the weir for freestyle paddlers. Take the channel just to the left of the lock cut entrance and the portage is just at the top of the island beyond the weir. The portage point is on the island public park and it is a short walk through the gardens to the café and toilets as mentioned earlier.
For a trip of about ten miles, continue past Cookham Lock towards Spade Oak Ferry where there are a number of bank side areas and the Spade Oak and Bounty pubs to stop off, but keep a watch out for the dinghy sailing.
Riverside campsites at Cookham Lock and near Maidenhead by Bray Lock enable an extended stay to paddle adjoining sections of the river and the lower section of the Jubilee River. Campsite details are available from the EA (www.visitthames.co.uk).