Self Guided Paddle Adventures in Richmond, London.
“Oh, the places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
Why choose Self Guided Adventures?
Less than 20 minutes from central London by train, leave the hustle and bustle behind and enjoy the peace of the river here in Richmond.
Your Self Guided Adventure with Back of Beyond gives you the freedom to canoe, kayak or SUP at a time that suits you, It gives you the opportunity to explore the river with the people you want to adventure with and to move at your own pace.
Rates
£42.50 - Self Guided ‘Ride with the Tide’ Adventure
£42.50 - 2.5 hour Self Guided Adventure
£50.00 - 3 hr Self Guided ‘Ride with the Tide Adventure
£50.00 - 3 hour Self Guided Adventure
£60.00 - 4 hour Self Guided Adventure
£70.00 - 5 hour Self Guided Adventure
Groups
We know that some groups like to paddle independently, so we love helping you to organise self guided adventures and events for your birthday, stag or hen celebrations or even for your team building, office away day or offsite activities.
Please get in touch for a bespoke itinerary and quote.
Suggested Itineraries.
Our suggestions for your adventures can be found below. We accept that whilst many people might choose to take a 3 hour Self Guided Canoe Adventure at 12:00pm to have Lunch at The White Swan, you may decide to take it at 9:00am for a picnic brunch along the riverside… that is of course up to you!
The 2.5 hour Self Guided Adventure from Richmond
Duration: 2.5 hours
Departure point: River Lane, Petersham, Richmond What3Words: alone.puddles.chin
Cost: £42.50 per person (minimum of 2 people)
Craft:
Open canoes - 2 seats (a child, under the age of 12 years, may join as a 3rd person by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Tandem Kayaks - 2 seats (a child aged 6 years and under may ride along in the middle by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 142kg
S.O.T. (Sit on Top) Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 75kg. You will get wet.
Stand up paddle boards (SUPs) - 1 person. Weight capacity is up to 110kg. Each person must be able to paddle independently.
Scheduling:
- starting on the hour and half hour from 9:00am through until 6:00pm, depending daily on the tide and sunset.
Our 2.5 hour Self Guided Adventures are probably the most popular option that we offer.
Suggested itinerary
You’ll receive a (re)introduction to paddling, along with some guidance on where to paddle, and we’ll provide you with a dry bag that you can use to take a towel, food, phone and wallet with you.
Paddling towards Twickenham, you’ll get to explore the islands and backwaters of the Thames, before mooring up to pause for a pint at one of the paddle friendly, riverside pubs along the way. You’ll have time for a quick drink before returning to the river to paddle back to Petersham Meadows and River Lane.
Once back, you’ll return your dry bags, buoyancy aids, paddles and craft, before heading to Petersham Meadows for a lunchtime picnic or to Petersham Nurseries for some afternoon tea!
The 3 hour Self Guided Adventure in London
Duration: 3 hours
Departure point: River Lane, Petersham, Richmond What3Words: alone.puddles.chin
Cost: £50.00 per person (minimum of 2 people)
Craft:
Open canoes - 2 seats (a child, under the age of 12 years, may join as a 3rd person by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Tandem Kayaks - 2 seats (a child aged 6 years and under may ride along in the middle by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 142kg
S.O.T. (Sit on Top) Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 75kg. You will get wet.
Stand up paddle boards (SUPs) - 1 person. Weight capacity is up to 110kg. Each person must be able to paddle independently.
Scheduling:
- starting on the hour and half hour from 9:00am through until 5:30pm, depending daily on the tide and sunset.
Our 3 hour Self Guided Adventures are typically booked if people want to stop for lunch at The White Swan in Twickenham. They usually choose to start at 12:00pm (if available).
Suggested itinerary
As part of your micro-adventure, you’ll receive a (re)introduction to paddling, along with some guidance on where to paddle, and we’ll provide you with a dry bag that you can use to pack a towel, spare clothes, phone and wallet to take with you.
Having explored our picturesque section of the River Thames, just 20 minutes from Central London, you can land at the slipway of the beautiful and historic White Swan pub for a well deserved lunch and chat with friends and family. The pub will take bookings for tables inside the pub, unless it is a rugby or event day, and, if starting at 11:30am, we’d recommend booking for 1:15pm and ordering food on arrival. Tables in the garden are available on a first come, first serve basis overlooking the water and the infamous Eel Pie Island.
Suitably fed and watered, you will return to your boats or boards for a post lunch paddle back to River Lane, where you’ll hand back your dry bag, buoyancy aids, paddles and craft, before heading off to explore Richmond Park (if you’ve got more energy to expend), or perhaps simply head back to your hotel to freshen up before getting married… yes, you read that correctly - it’s happened a few times now!!
The 4 hour Self Guided Adventure
Duration: 4 hours
Departure point: River Lane, Petersham, Richmond What3Words: alone.puddles.chin
Cost: £60.00 per person (minimum of 2 people)
Craft:
Open canoes - 2 seats (a child, under the age of 12 years, may join as a 3rd person by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Tandem Kayaks - 2 seats (a child aged 6 years and under may ride along in the middle by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 142kg
S.O.T. (Sit on Top) Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 75kg. You will get wet.
Stand up paddle boards (SUPs) - 1 person. Weight capacity is up to 110kg. Each person must be able to paddle independently.
Scheduling:
- starting on the hour and half hour from 9:00am through until 4:30pm, depending daily on the tide and sunset.
Many people choose the 4 hour Self Guided Adventure starting at 10:30 or 11:00am for a good old fashioned picnic!
Suggested itinerary
As part of your active picnic adventure, you’ll receive a (re)introduction to paddling, along with some guidance on where to paddle, and we’ll provide you with a dry bag that you can use to pack a towel, spare clothes, phone, wallet and (more importantly) food to take with you.
Pack your hamper into your craft (some people also decorate their canoes as well, but we’ll leave that to you to decide) before launching onto the Thames to journey along the river between Richmond’s iconic bridge and riverside and Teddington Harbour. Having paddled upstream you can raft up, or moor up for a swim, and then enjoy your picnic.
Once you’ve eaten all of the ‘quintessentially English’ cucumber sandwiches you possibly can and have enjoyed a refreshing elderflower pressé (!) you can paddle downstream past the islands and backwaters to Petersham Meadow from where you can wander along the riverside or walk up to Richmond Hill to enjoy the view that Turner so loved!
The 5 hour Self Guided Adventure on the Thames
Duration: 5 hours
Departure point: River Lane, Petersham, Richmond What3Words: alone.puddles.chin
Cost: £70.00 per person (minimum of 2 people)
Craft:
Open canoes - 2 seats (a child, under the age of 12 years, may join as a 3rd person by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Tandem Kayaks - 2 seats (a child aged 6 years and under may ride along in the middle by using the ‘Add on’ option at checkout).
Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 142kg
S.O.T. (Sit on Top) Kayaks - 1 seat. Weight capacity is 75kg. You will get wet.
Stand up paddle boards (SUPs) - 1 person. Weight capacity is up to 110kg. Each person must be able to paddle independently.
Scheduling:
- starting on the hour and half hour from 9:00am through until 3:30pm, depending daily on the tide and sunset.
The 5 hour Self Guided Adventure, starting at 10:30am, is most often taken when a table at The Anglers in Teddington is booked for lunch and drinks at 12:30 / 1:00pm.
Suggested itinerary
As part of your paddle to the pub adventure, you’ll receive a (re)introduction to paddling, along with some guidance on where to paddle, and we’ll provide you with a dry bag that you can use to pack a towel, spare clothes, phone and wallet.
Launching onto the Thames you’ll take a steady paddle around the islands and backwaters of the Thames up towards Teddington Harbour. Pausing along the way to chat, swim, re-group and take in the history of the river, you’ll aim to arrive at the pontoon in front of The Anglers pub in Teddington, where you can moor up your boats and boards. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, before returning to the river at least an hour before you are due back at River Lane in Richmond.
Paddling back towards Eel Pie Island and onto Petersham Meadows, you will hand in your buoyancy aids, dry bags, paddles and craft, before taking a stroll into Richmond to visit the many independent shops, cafes and pubs that this part of London has to offer!
