River Parrat

The main navigable river which, together with the ISLE, YEO and TONE carried barge traffic. The tidal section from the BRISTOL CHANNEL has many mud flats and from BURROWBRIDGE (358304) the channel is narrow and shallow at low tide with steep muddy banks. The tide rises up to 5.0 metres springs and 1.6 metres neaps. There is a bore at BRIDEWATER TOWN BRIDGE (301371) 1 hour and 40 minutes before high tide. This produces quite confused water conditions downstream of the bridge which, coupled with the very fast flow on the ebb, makes it a dangerous part of the river for canoeists.

From BURROWBRIDGE to OATH LOCK (382279) the ebb current involves a strenuous but not difficult paddle for beginners. Either at OATH LOCK or the sluice at 409277, it is easy to portage into the SOWY RIVER. Although the Parrett has been canoed downstream from PETHERTON BRIDGE (450168) it is rather narrow and with over hanging bushes and trees. The sluice at the WORKS at 446186 is impassable with a difficult bend under the bridge. The river is also partly blocked at GAWBRIDGE MILL (443197), but from here to THORNEY MILL (429227) is a pleasant paddle of about two miles. A public footpath on the left bank permits access to KINGSBURY EPISCOPI (4321). This stretch is sometimes affected by weed growth. Portage at THORNEY is on the right bank but cattle graze the field and permission must be bought from the farmer, whose address may be obtained from the LAO.

The pool below the mill chute sometimes has useful haystacks, boils and eddies suitable for 'improvers' courses. Due to Water Authority works some years ago, there are stone or concrete blocks just below just below the surface, especially at the downstream outflow, on which craft may bottom at below average water levels. From THORNEY to LANGPORT BRIDGE (415265) the river runs through an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) parts of which are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is also prone to serious flooding after heavy rain when headroom under many bridges is non-existent! MUCHELNEY ABBEY (429249) is worth a visit.

ACCESS. Although there is no formal access agreement, canoeing and angling co-exist amicably; BUT there is NO canoeing on angling competition days (usually Sundays with some Junior events on a Saturday) between the Bridges at 424263 (HUISH Bridge) and 415272 (Railway viaduct). Check with the LAO for competition dates.

LAUNCHING/LANDING.
OATH LOCK 382278. Roadside parking only.
LANGPORT (COCKLEMOOR PARK) 419265. Riverside car park, shops, toilets, etc.
HUISH BRIDGE (or BLACKBRIDGE) 424263. Limited parking.
MUCHELNEY BRIDGE 425248. Small layby. Launch on left below bridge.
THORNEY MILL. Ask permission from owners. Normally given.
GAWBRIDGE MILL. Ask permission from owners. Normally given.
LANGPORT (Bow Bridge 415266). Limited parking

Please note that the Langport steps have now been moved next to the pumping station on the bend of the river above Bow Bridge and near the Great Western House car park