Haw Bridge to Tewkesbury Lower Lode and return
One of the problems of paddling the Severn is access; the banks are high and normally muddy with few over bridges or near by roads. This paddle starts at the Haw Bridge Inn, which is on the left hand (west) side after passing over the Haw Bridge on the B4213. Head south out of Tewkesbury on the A38, after approx three miles turn right onto the B4213 signposted Ledbury, the bridge is approx 2.75 miles from the A38.
There are floating BWB pontoons with ramps which act as moorings for the inn, there are about four parking places on the road plus the inn car park. Please check with the proprietor before using their car park. Launching from the pontoons is straight forward.
Paddle upstream under the Haw Bridge, this a modern structure built in 1961, which replaced a much older bridge that was unfortunately demolished by a tanker barge heading downstream empty. You will be paddling against the flow which varies considerable depending on recent rain fall; big spring tides can also spill over the weir at Gloucester and affect water levels on this section of the river. After passing more pubs over the next 4.5 miles you will see a rowing club on the right hand bank, just past here is a slipway and a public area, I think a ferry operates from here in the summer months. The Lower Lode back stream forks off to the right just past here, you can continue on the main river to the Upper Lode Lock and start your return journey from there. A much more interesting paddle is to take the Lower Lode which winds its way into Tewkesbury for about a mile, ending abruptly at an old mill and a large weir. In the time we had we were unable to find an easy exit point so we retraced our paddle to the slipway back at the junction with the main river for our lunch stop. For the return trip you should have the assistance of the rivers flow. If you have the time and a thirst, stop for a drink at the Haw Bridge Inn, especially if you used their car park.
Four of us did this paddle in early November 2006, and despite a strong SW wind which made the return journey very interesting it was still most enjoyable.
Canoe England membership sticker allows navigation of the River Severn. The Pearson & Son River Companion ‘Severn & Avon’ is an excellent guide book. OS Map 150 and the free ‘Canoeist Guide to the River Severn’ from the Environment Agency, also covers this section of the river.
Robert Yeowell