Canoe 12-Mile Day Trip

477 Reviews
Montford Bridge To Shrewsbury Canoe Hire - Hire A Canoe

⌛Duration 3-5 hours
👪 Age 10+ (see age restrictions)
🚐 Free minibus transport
🕙 Start times 9:45am, 11:00am
✔️All equipment included

We will meet you at Frankwell Car Park in Shrewsbury and drive you to our Montford Bridge centre. From there you will canoe or kayak downstream along the River Severn. Exploring the beautiful English countryside, surrounded by native woodland, hills and a stunning array of wildlife. If you are lucky, you may even spot otters!

From£50

Per kayak

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Kayak £50, canoe £85
Prices include VAT and 5% online booking fee is charged by our booking system provider.

What to expect on the day

Your day starts when one of our friendly team members meets you at Frankwell Car Park in Shrewsbury, where you’ll spot our bright yellow minibus — hard to miss! From there, we’ll drive you to our riverside canoe hire centre at Montford Bridge, the launch point for your day on the water.

Once at our Montford Bridge launch point, we’ll get you kitted out with everything you need for a safe and enjoyable trip. You’ll receive your buoyancy aid, paddle, and any other essential equipment, all included in the price of your hire. We’ll introduce you to your canoe, walk you through the planned route, and deliver a safety briefing, ensuring you feel confident and prepared before setting off.

Then it’s time to hit the river and let the adventure begin!

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Group safety briefing for the Montford Bridge to The Quarry river day trip - Hire A Canoe

Route at a glance

Start: Montford Bridge (our base, Wingfield Arms)
Finish: The Quarry Park (by Porthill footbridge)
Distance: 12 miles / 19 km (downstream)
Time on water: 3–5 hrs depending on flow and stops
Water grade: Grade I, gentle current; a few shallow spots in low water.

Montford Bridge to Shrewsbury Route Map

Waypoints & highlights:

  1. Launching at Montford Bridge: Your trip will begin under the triple arch sandstone bridge, Montford Bridge, which was designed by Thomas Telford (1790-92). From here, you will canoe or kayak through the quiet countryside.
  2. The Isle Meander: Soon after launching, you’ll enter a large looping bend in the river known locally as “The Isle”. This wide, sweeping section is one of the most tranquil stretches of the upper Severn, surrounded by woodland and open fields as the river reaches its most northerly point.
  3. Shropshire Countryside & Wildlife: As the river winds gently toward Shrewsbury, enjoy peaceful scenery, hanging woodland, and a variety of wildlife. Along this route, paddlers often spot swans, herons, kingfishers, and occasionally even otters!
  4. Approaching Shrewsbury: Further downstream, the landscape gradually shifts from countryside to the outskirts of Shrewsbury town. You may see rowing crews and other paddlers as you get closer to town, especially in good weather.
  5. Entering The Quarry Park: You will finish your canoe or kayak day trip at The Quarry, Shrewsbury’s beautiful riverside park. This area forms a natural loop of the River Severn around the town, offering calm water, iconic views, and an easy-to-access slipway for landing.

What's included?

• Canoe or kayak, paddles, buoyancy aids, and a dry barrel for your snacks/phones.
• Safety briefing & route notes at the launch.
• Shuttle transport from Frankwell car park to Montford Bridge at the start.
Please bring with you: quick dry layers, shoes you don’t mind getting wet, sun cream, water, lunch. (Dogs welcome on canoes — We don’t provide dog buoyancy aids)
Frankwell car park is not free to park, so please remember to pay for your parking ticket before getting on the minibus

Family of 4 in a Canoe on the River Severn - Hire a Canoe

Bringing the kids?

Ages 10 and Up:
Our canoe river trips are open to adventurers aged 10 and older. Children aged 10 and above are welcome to join the journey as long as they’re accompanied by a responsible adult (18+). The child will sit at the front of the 2-person canoe. It’s a fantastic way for families to explore the outdoors together and create unforgettable memories on the water.

And yes, your four-legged friends are more than welcome too! We love dogs and are happy for them to join you on the trip at no extra cost. (Dogs welcome on canoes — We don’t provide dog buoyancy aids)

Please note: For safety and balance, each canoe must have a minimum of two people.

About this route

The Montford Bridge to Frankwell section of the River Severn is suitable for beginners, with a couple of gentle yet easy-to-navigate faster-flowing sections mixed with an ever-changing view of rolling hills, forests and large country estates to keep the route exciting. You will be paddling with the current downstream into the heart of Shrewsbury.

Pack a picnic for this 5 hour adventure and enjoy your lunch floating through the countryside or pulled up along one of the stopping points en route.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along this route—from fish jumping out of the water, to buzzards, herons, swans (maybe the black swan might make an appearance again this season!) and even kingfishers. The lucky few may even be graced with the presence of an otter or two!

Who is this trip perfect for:

• First-timers and families who want a longer but forgiving day out.

• Couples and groups who want to enjoy a peaceful stretch of the River Severn.

• Anyone who wants to explore the array of wildlife that lives along the River Severn. From herons, swans and kingfishers, the sightings are endless!

Safety and river levels

This is a Grade I touring section, but the River Severn can rise quickly after rain. We monitor Environment Agency gauges at Crew Green and Montford Bridge to ensure activities are safe to run.


See what are customers have to say

Richard S
Complete peace and quiet on the river

We had a fantastic day paddling from Montford Bridge to Shrewsbury stopping on the way for a picnic on the river bank. Complete peace and quiet for four hours without seeing another soul .Lots of wildlife to watch. Thoroughly recommended.

Nicola
Book It!

Second time on this trip and had a great time. Met by Chris who is a lovely chap who launched us off and then was ready to greet us at the end. Well worth the money, saw plenty of wildlife on the river and paddled in glorious sunshine!

Jen W
Great relaxing trip down the River Severn

Fabulous day out travelling down the river Severn. Well organized, collected on time and given instructions. Although quite a long way, the river helped take us along as we didn't have to paddle the whole time. Would definitely do it again.

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