A Harnham Local describes a 7km paddle through the city of Salisbury:As a Harnham local, I have been canoeing the Nadder, Wylie and Avon for about a year in my 16ft Old Town Discovery – with the family. We deploy just East of Wilton House next to the Salisbury-bypass road at the meeting of the River Wylie and River Nadder and, after an instant portage, pass a small weir/bridge construction before setting off on a wonderful unspoilt section of the river. The land either side of the river at this point is ‘owned’ by Wilton House Estate although I have had no issues bar a neigh from a horse or the odd sheep staring at me.
We carry on toward Churchfields Industrial Estate (which you can’t see) and then a long slow loop around the industrial estate which is gladly shielded by thick trees. Exiting this loop, there exists the only short portage on the route. Re-entering the river from quite a public park always seems to draw a crowd before, once again, they are left behind and the peace and calm of the river decends. The river then meets the River Avon proper and an interesting navigation building can be seen at the meeting of these 2 rivers. An unusual lamp is built into the side of the small brick building and, I would presume, this has was used to guide those using the river in the early days. The latter section of the river is slightly faster and wider and our journey then ends just under the Salisbury by-pass bridge near the sea scouts centre.
In all, about a 2 hour journey to while away a lazy afternoon or morning.
Happy canoeing
We carry on toward Churchfields Industrial Estate (which you can’t see) and then a long slow loop around the industrial estate which is gladly shielded by thick trees. Exiting this loop, there exists the only short portage on the route. Re-entering the river from quite a public park always seems to draw a crowd before, once again, they are left behind and the peace and calm of the river decends. The river then meets the River Avon proper and an interesting navigation building can be seen at the meeting of these 2 rivers. An unusual lamp is built into the side of the small brick building and, I would presume, this has was used to guide those using the river in the early days. The latter section of the river is slightly faster and wider and our journey then ends just under the Salisbury by-pass bridge near the sea scouts centre.
In all, about a 2 hour journey to while away a lazy afternoon or morning.
Happy canoeing
