Henley & Hennerton SUP Safari: Paddle the Non-Tidal Thames from Henley-on-Thames

Henley & Hennerton Safari 26/04/2026 is a stand-alone stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) excursion on the non-tidal River Thames, launching from Mill Meadow car park in Henley-on-Thames, England. This four-hour plus loop — offered by Dittons Paddle Boarding — winds upstream through a mix of town and countryside, including a portage at Marsh Lock and a quiet paddle through Hennerton Backwater before returning past Henley town centre, Temple Island and a sunny stop at The Angel on the Bridge. Set on one of the Thames’s gentler stretches, the route showcases river features and local life: elongated backwaters ringed with reedbeds, riverside willows, moored classic launches and private boathouses perched on gravelly banks. Key features include Marsh Lock, the Hennerton backwater (a sheltered side channel with slow current), the figure-eight loop around Temple Island, and the townscape of Henley-on-Thames — a riverside town famous for the Henley Royal Regatta (est. 1839). Expect to spot kingfishers flicking between reeds, herons standing motionless on shallows and the occasional deer on the far bank. This outing suits competent paddlers aged 12 and up who can self-rescue and are comfortable with an 8 km standard route or an extended 14 km option. The trip runs as a relaxed, sociable paddle: participants pump their boards at 10:30am at Mill Meadow car park, Meadow Road, Henley - on - Thames, RG9 1BE. W3W///bluff.eased.berated and get on the water promptly at 11am. Marsh Lock requires a short portage, so expect a pause to carry kit and re-enter the river. Equipment hire (board, paddle, leash, buoyancy aid) is available but must be booked in advance by emailing [email protected]. Beyond the scenery, this paddle is a local moment: afternoons on the Thames here mix suburban grace with stretches of genuine river wilderness. The Angel on the Bridge provides an easy finish with outdoor seating and riverside views, making it a natural social endpoint. Safety is self-managed; Dittons Paddle Boarding sets meeting times and logistics but participants accept responsibility for skills and equipment. Bring layered clothing, waterproof phone storage and respect nesting birds and private property along the banks. Whether you want a focused fitness paddle, a wildlife-rich afternoon or a relaxed group excursion, the Henley & Hennerton Safari delivers a clear, accessible taste of the non-tidal Thames that highlights both Henley’s rowing heritage and the river’s quieter, wild reaches. Guides will brief groups on river etiquette, how to navigate weirs and how to approach wildlife to minimize disturbance; carry a whistle and know how to perform a self-rescue before setting off. Accessible public transport connects to Henley-on-Thames from London, but parking at Mill Meadow can fill early on summer weekends, so arrive early or plan to use local car parks or cycle.