Best Rivers for Kids to paddle in South East England
The South East of England is full of beautiful rivers for kids to paddle in. A great way to explore these great waterways with children is by paddling them or travelling in an inflatable or sit-on-top kayak or canoe. Paddling these rivers gives your child the chance to explore a new environment and discover wildlife that they wouldn’t otherwise see. On a hot day, it’s fun to let the kids relax in a cool river, as long as you’re careful – this can be a great way for kids to cool down. There’s something quintessentially English about taking your kids for a paddle in the stream. so let’s take a look at some of the best rivers for kids to paddle in in South East England.
NB: Swimming in rivers is not recommended for inexperienced swimmers or children. Check out the the Survive section of The Outdoor Swimming Society who have a great section on river safety.
Best Rivers for Kids to Paddle in in Kent
Rivers for kids to paddle in near london
River Wandle Beddington Park
The River Wandle in Croydon is unsafe for general wild swimming but there are a few sections where the River Wandle (which runs through Beddington Park) where kids can paddle. Parts of it are really shallow, other parts a little deeper – so be careful! It’s a good idea to keep flip flops on just in case of sharp things on the river bed. There is a play area and a cafe as well as a nice place for walking and feeding the ducks on the lake so it’s a lovely place to visit on a Summer’s day.
Exploring South East England Rivers with Kids
The River Itchen (Hampshire)
The River Itchen flows is a popular destination for both adults and families alike. Its calm waters make it perfect for paddling with children as there are no rapids or difficult sections. To find a good spot, head out along the B3047 between Martyr Worthy and Itchen Abbas. Park on one of the lanes running down to the river and join the Itchen Way footpath. There are plenty of lovely places to stop but our favourite place to is just beyond Chilland. This is also a great spot for fishing if your kids are interested in attempting something new during their time on the river.
Loose Valley Stream, ME15 0BL
This tranquil spot in Maidstone is perfect for pond dipping and enjoying a refreshing dip in a stream. There are lots of a wide grassy bank for picnics and a pub nearby – The Chequers Inn. There is free on street parking but it does get busy in the summer months.
Frensham Great Pond (Near Farnham, GU10 3BT)
Frensham Great Pond and Common near Farnham is actually a beach and has a Green Flag Award. You can paddle, splash and even swim in the pond which has the sandy beach at its edge. Refreshments and toilets are available on site, and there is a chargeable car park. Popular with families, Frensham Great Pond becomes very busy on hot summer days, particularly at the weekend, with the car park often filling up by mid-morning.
Chertsey Mead, Chertsey, Surrey
There is a small car park here and there’s sometimes a chance to sport Herons and Kingfishers too. There’s a small river beach section too to make entering the water easy and safe.
This river runs through London and is a fantastic place to paddle with your children. On any given day, you can spot swans, geese, ducks and many other types of waterfowl as you explore this part of London. The Thames also offers plenty of places to stop along the way, including pubs and restaurants that are located along its banks. Children will enjoy exploring this unique part of London while learning about its rich history along the way.
The River Cray, near Hall Place, DA5 1PQ
Hall Place is a beautiful house and gardens on the outskirts of Bexley, close to the A2. There are toilets and a cafe here and parking is free. The River Cray runs through the site, but the Hall Place ask that you DO NOT paddle in the river within their grounds.
You can also paddle in the stream in Footscray Meadow. It’s a good place for a picnic and a paddle with fishing nets or water guns. One thing I will recommend are sliders/crocs or jelly shoes as the stones in the water are quite sharp. There is free parking on North Cray Road or the small carpark the other side of the meadows.
Hartham Weir, Hertford, Hertfordshire
This a pretty weir you can swim in which also has a pretty waterfall. It can get deep so isn’t suitable for young kids. You can park in the nearby Sainsburys, near St Leonard’s church and follow the path signposted Bengeo Old House.
Arbinger Hammer (Surrey RH5 6RX)
In River Tillingbourne, by the village green, there is a small stream which is a popular with children, especially during the summer. It’s one of the best Rivers for Kids to paddle in South East England. Families can relax by the waterside and enjoy a picnic – it’s a lovely shallow river however, please be mindful as river currents can vary, surfaces are often rocky and slippery, and the rivers are not monitored by lifeguards so you need to be careful. Along the River Tillingbourne there are plenty of pubs including The Compass Inn and The William Bray which are very family friendly to visit.
Puttles Bridge, Ober Water (SO42 7QD)
Puttles Bridge in the New Forest is a really lovely place to visit with kids with a paddle friendly river. You can find Puttles Bridge just down the road from Blackwater Arboretum and Brock Hill. There is plenty of car parking and Puttles Bridge has two coloured routes that are marked all the way around for two different length of walks that take you along the river. There are toilets in the car park and usually an ice cream van!
Chilworth Gunpowder Mills (Chilworth Road, Chilworth, GU4 8RH)
Scattered along the River Tillingbourne at Chilworth are the remains of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills where you can paddle with kids. There’s a heritage trail that leads you through a pretty woodland to a shallow stream that is perfect for a paddle.
Eynsford Ford, Darent – Kent (DA4 OAE)
This part of the River Medway is another popular destination for paddlers in South East England. It’s one of the best Rivers for Kids to paddle in South East England. It has plenty of interesting sights to explore such as Rochester Castle, Chatham Dockyard and Upnor Castle nearby. It gets busy and there is limited free parking on the surrounding roads so you may want to arrive earlier or later into the afternoon. The river does get deep in some places and there is a section where cars need to drive across so be careful! There’s a lovely pub nearby too and the river is a lovely place for kids to play and have a picnic on the bank. There’s a beautiful shallow brook in Eynsford, perfect for little ones to poke a stick in, throw rocks & playing pooh-sticks from the bridge.
Wild Swimming with Kids in Kent and South East England
If you have older kids or teenagers, then wild swimming might be more appealing. Exploring South East England rivers in an inflatable kayak or canoe can also be a fun activity for parents and their kids alike! Not only will they get an up close view of some beautiful scenery but they will also have the chance to learn about local history and spot some amazing wildlife along their journey too! Read on for our favourite places for wild swimming with kids or places you can kayak and canoe.
Beckenham Place Park
Beckenham Place Park has a wild swimming lake which is bookable for open water swimming sessions but you can also do Stand Up Paddleboarding courses and kayaking/ canoeing sessions. Find out more via this link.
Weir Wood Reservoir
There are Open Water Swimming sessions at Weir Wood reservoir, Forest Row, East Sussex that are bookable from their website.
Divers Cove, Godstone
Another bookable and payable open swim session is this reservoir in Surrey that is surrounded by a pretty silver birch wood so it makes for a pretty swim! See more information on their website. It is open year-round, and it even has changing rooms, toilets and a cafe – great for warming up after a swim on a chilly day. There is also parking available on North Park Lane.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring rivers in South East England today! If you’re wanting a proper beach day out for families then you’ll love our list of family friendly beaches in South London.
