Our team leader Chris, spend the first week of off-season taking part on his own adventure!
Having previously done things, such as cycling across India, walking across Tenerife and an upcoming 2 week hike down the Portugal Algarve coastline. It is safe to safe Chris has a passion for adventure and the outdoors
In late August, Chris decided to go on a solo nine day, source to sea expedition and he has put together this blog for you all to see what he got up to.
The River Severn has always been part of who I am. I grew up in Shropshire, surrounded by its bends and bridges — swimming in it during summer, kayaking its gentle loops, and living in the historic towns built on its banks.
At 220 miles long, the Severn is the UK’s longest river, winding from the slopes of Plynlimon in the Cambrian Mountains all the way to the Bristol Channel. I’ve always been fascinated by how it connects mountains, farmland, towns, and sea — a thread of water tying together so many different landscapes.
But despite a lifetime beside it, I’d never followed it. So, in late August 2025, I set out on a solo nine-day source-to-sea expedition — two days walking, six kayaking, and one final push by bike — to follow the Severn’s story from beginning to end.
The Start of the Journey
The journey began in mid-Wales, deep in Hafren Forest. A train to Newtown and a lift from a chatty taxi driver dropped me at the trailhead, the last bit of human company I’d have for a while.
From there, I hiked into the Cambrian hills until I reached the source: a small puddle marked by a wooden post, far away from civilisation. No fanfare, no grandeur — just silence, the mountains, and the trickle of a newborn river.
Standing there, I felt a mix of pride and anticipation. This was it, the first few drops that would soon become the mighty Severn. I’d turned an idea in my head into a reality that I was about to set out on.
Following the Severn Way trail toward Caersws, the first few miles were full of excitement: lush forest trails and that first glimpse of the stream slowly growing into a river. But soon the way became harder; farmland, tarmac roads, and badly marked footpaths that had me weaving through the Welsh countryside, catching only the occasional glimpse of the water I was meant to follow.
By the time I reached Caersws, I’d earned my first pint and a train to Welshpool, where the real adventure, the paddling, would begin.
Life on the Water
On the morning of day three, Angus, who many of you will know if you’ve ever booked a trip with Hire A Canoe, met me at my campsite near Welshpool and dropped off my kayak.
I’d decided to start about 10km upstream from the typical launch point at Pool Quay. It didn’t take long to realise why that starting point is the agreed one — low water, fallen trees and overgrown sections had me dragging the boat more than paddling it. But that struggle set the tone perfectly: this was a true expedition.
Once past that section, the river opened beautifully. The flow quickened, the banks widened, and I began to make real progress. I passed through gorgeous countryside, camped in wild spots under the stars, and paddled through the heart of Shrewsbury and on toward Ironbridge.
Between Llandrinio and Ironbridge, the Severn is at its most stunning — untouched nature, rolling hills, and endless wildlife. It’s a stretch you can easily experience for yourself on one of our canoe trips.
At Ironbridge, I met another kayaker, and together we tackled the Jackfield Rapids, an old landslide that’s become a playground for local paddlers. We shared a good chat, ran the rapids together, then went our separate ways — two strangers connected briefly by the same river.
The days began to settle into rhythm: wake up, boil the kettle, pack the tent, and spend eight steady hours paddling downstream. Often, I found myself dodging fishing lines or drifting quietly beneath the gaze of herons.
By the time I reached Stourport, the river had changed completely. The natural flow gave way to powered navigation — wide, deep, and almost still. With narrowboats chugging past and long, lock-filled stretches ahead, it felt more like a canal.
These final two days were tough — long, repetitive, and slow. My paddle strokes felt endless, but I kept at it, knowing the sea wasn’t far away. When I finally reached my campsite at Tewkesbury, I treated myself to a proper meal and a quiet moment of pride. One more push to go.
The Final Push
That night’s sleep was awful — as most of them had been by this point — but I was too close to the end to care. The final leg would be by bike: 80km from Tewkesbury, through Gloucester, to Severn Beach where the river meets the Bristol Channel.
The morning began calm, but the weather quickly turned. For three relentless hours, the rain hammered down, soaking me through and testing every ounce of determination I had left. I remember passing a café halfway and just staring at it, wondering if I should stop and call it a day.
But I didn’t. I pushed on.
Eventually, after nearly five hours of riding, I reached the end, the Severn’s wide, brown waters merging with the wild winds of the Bristol Channel. It wasn’t a glamorous finish: an industrial coastline under grey skies. But that didn’t matter. The journey itself had been the reward.
Reflections from the River
The Severn isn’t just a river, it’s a journey through time, nature, and history. It flows past Roman towns, Iron Age hills, medieval bridges, and modern cities. Following it from source to sea gave me a deeper appreciation for the landscapes we often take for granted.
More than that, it reminded me that adventure doesn’t have to be on the other side of the world. It can start right on your doorstep — all you need is curiosity and the will to follow where the water leads.
Fancy Your Own Severn Adventure?
If this story inspires you, come and experience a stretch of the Severn for yourself.
Hire-a-Canoe runs canoe and kayak trips from Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, and other beautiful sections of the river — from peaceful half-days to multi-day wild camping journeys.
Plan your next adventure with us
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