Canoe Wild
Canterbury, East Kent
Image: Canoe WildCanoe Wild hires canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards on the River Stour near Canterbury, from bases at Grove Ferry and Fordwich. Paddle an hour out and back, or make the 2.5-hour journey from Fordwich to Grove Ferry with a free lift to return. It suits families, couples and groups looking for a gentle river adventure.
Highlights
- One-hour out-and-back paddles from Fordwich or Grove Ferry
- Fordwich to Grove Ferry journey with a free lift service
- Sunrise and sunset paddles for adults, with a chance to spot wildlife
- Stable Super Canoes for groups of 4 to 6
- Paddle UK courses, lessons and group days
Good to know
- Seasonal: open from March to October
- There are two sites, at Grove Ferry (CT3 4BP) and Fordwich (CT2 0BW), so check where your trip starts
Getting there
Canoe Wild, The Paddle House, Grove Ferry Picnic Site, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 4BP
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against canoewild.co.uk, canoewild.co.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Photo: Alex Lockton, CC BY-SA 4.0Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve
Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve in the Stour Valley near Canterbury has the largest reedbed in south east England, mixed with fens, ditches and open water. Walk over 6km of footpaths, including a circuit of the whole site, and look for marsh harriers, kingfishers, bearded tits and the occasional bittern. It suits walkers and birdwatchers for a couple of hours.
Monkton Nature Reserve
Monkton Nature Reserve is a 16-acre former chalk quarry on Thanet, run by a charity and full of orchids, butterflies and pond life. Children can follow trails, a sculpture hunt and nature bingo, try brass rubbing and peer into the bat cave. It is ideal for young families and fills a couple of hours.
Image: Wingham Wildlife ParkWingham Wildlife Park
Wingham Wildlife Park is a family-run zoo between Canterbury and Sandwich with a wide range of animals plus a Dinosaur Zoo. Animal experiences can be booked, and annual memberships suit regular visitors. It is open all year and fills a day comfortably.