River Brue
Downstream of West Lydford.
Map: OS Landranger 182
The Brue has been canoed as high as church bridge, Bruton (access by the blind house). It is perhaps more reasonable to paddle from Castle Cary, but even from here there needs to be good water levels. From Castle Cary where there is reasonably easy access the river flows by Ansford. There are seven other sites of access to the River Brue commonly used at the Glastonbury end, and a couple more used on a less frequent basis much further downstream. I have added notes to the various access points but the detail will vary with the season.
Mid March to Mid June is the fishing close season. Below Westhay bridge there is hardly ever any fishing at the farmer's choice. I would ask that you take home all your rubbish. Please try to avoid anglers, and definitely do not canoe the river during a fishing competition, or at least the part of the river where the competition is being held.
| ACCESS POINT | GRID REF | NOTES |
| Ansford bridge on the A.371 | 635 336 | Near Castle Cary station |
| Lovington | 591 318 | Footpath to road near pub |
| West Lydford | 565 318 | Near the church |
| Tootle Bridge | 551 326 | Steep bank opposite the small building |
| Wallyers Bridge | 533 346 | Slip way |
| Cinnamon Lane / (Kannard Moor) | 509 373 | A bit muddy |
| Cow Bridge | 502 375 | Horrid walk along the road |
| Cold Harbour Bridge | 480 404 | In the trees off the Glastonbury Road - muddy |
| Westhay Bridge | 437 427 | Park in lay-by on north. Use field to the west, - close the farmers gate! |
The river above Lydford is best paddled from Castle Cary to Lovington after a day of good rain, it is narrow with some grade 2 drops and 3 weirs. BEWARE. There are often trees to be portaged. The first weir is easily taken on river right, the second is over 2 metres vertical into a pool with a slot river right, the third is small with a wave for novices to practice.
At lydford there are two weirs. Both shootable at low to medium levels. The second looks big but is just a slide. I have seen these at high water flows they are both dangerous - high is when there is no gap under Lydford Bridge. From Lydford to Tootle Bridge is a narrow and deep passage with a few simple rapids. Between Tootle Bridge and Wallyers Bridge are two weirs. The first is shootable at medium levels but will have no water at low levels, the right hand shoot being uncanoeable. At high levels this weir can be dangerous and should be portaged. The second weir is O.K., but a scrape at low levels.
About 1km below Wallyers Bridge is a weir I have not found a way through and the portage, or at least the put-in down stream, is awkward. Then there are several miles of shallow water past Kannard Moor to Cow Bridge. Several hundred metres below Cow Bridge is a weir (Clyce Hole) that must be inspected from the bank as logs can make the plunge pool dangerous. BEWARE the stopper below the anti-scour ledge.
From here the river has only a few feet to drop to the sea. Final egress can be made near the A38 but check for new buildings and old vegetation!. This last stretch is over 15km.
B.C.U. Local Access Officer
David Lambert
4 Higher
Actis
Glastonbury
BA6 8DR
Tel: 01458 831646