Public slipways and jetties along the River Thames

Here’s a simple directory of public slipways, jetties and low river banks, perfect for launching your stand up paddle board along the River Thames. 

Here we’re focused on the non-tidal stretch, from Teddington Lock up to Lechlade. 

We’re based mid Thames in Shepperton, so we’d love it if anyone from upper & lower could add to this directory. Get in touch if you’d like to share any public slipways and jetties that you have found. 

• Trowlock Way, Teddington (link here)

• The Boaters Inn, Canbury Gardens, Kingston Upon Thames (link here)

• Ravens Ait, Kingston Upon Thames (link here)

• Ditton Reach Slipway, Thames Ditton (link here)

• Ye Olde Swan, Thames Ditton (link here)

• Albany steps, Thames Ditton (link here)

• Ditton Beach, Thames Ditton (link here)

• Hurst Park, West Molesey (link here)

• The Bell Inn slipway, Hampton, opposite Hurst Park (link here) 

• Lower Sunbury slipway (link here)

• Old Bathing Station, Sunbury-on-Thames (link here)

• The Weir Hotel, Walton On Thames, above Sunbury Lock (link here)

• Anglers, Walton On Thames (link here)

• Cowey Sale, Walton On Thames (link here)

• Church Square slipway, Shepperton (link here)

• Weybridge Landing (link here)

• Dumsey Meadow, Chertsey (link here)

• Laleham Reach, Chertsey (link here)

• Truss Island slipway, Staines (link here)

• Runnymede pleasure grounds (link here)

• National trust car park, Runnymede (link here)

• The Brocas, Eton (link here)

• Windsor Riverside (link here)

• The Waterside Inn, Bray (link here)

• The Ferry, Cookham Bridge, Cookham (link here)

• Gossmore Lane, Marlow (link here)

• The Flower Pot Hotel, Aston (link here)

• Horns bridge, Sonning (link here)

• Caversham Bridge, Thames side promenade car park, Reading (link here)

• Pangbourne Riverside Meadow car park (link here)

• Ferry lane southstoke slipway (link here)

• Cholsey ferry lane slipway (link here)

• Wallingford bridge (link here)

• Benson waterside cafe (link here) 

• St Johns Lock (link here)

• Lechlade Riverside Car Park (link here)

• More to come…

We’re going to continue adding to this directory, so feel free to add this page to your favourites and use it again and again. 

If you’re new to paddle boarding on the River Thames, here are a few things worth knowing:

• Don’t forget you need a licence to paddle on the River Thames, you can do this through British Canoeing, it costs around £45 for the year and gives you access to 4,500km of waterways.

• Note that after Teddington, the Thames widens and deepens as it becomes tidal flowing through the heart of London.

• Please travel on the right hand side of the river.

• Wear the correct safety equipment, i.e. buoyancy aid and quick release belt. 

• If you find yourself in trouble, dial 999. It’s essential that you keep a phone on your person at all times when paddling.

• Use apps such as windy, the met office, and other generic weather apps to help determine if the wind conditions are safe on that day.

• Always check the river conditions before you paddle, we recommend doing this from the comfort of your own home, before setting off for the day.

• To check current River Thames (non tidal) conditions, head to the gov.uk website and search River Thames: current river conditions, or click here.

• The Environment Agency may also display warning boards at locks to inform river users of the conditions, these range from Red to Yellow and we recommend avoiding the river if you see either colour boards displayed. 

Lastly, we highly recommend a lesson if you are new to stand up paddle boarding. There are plenty of SUP Schools along the River Thames (including us) that can help provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to keep yourself safe, and have fun. 

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We hope you find this directory useful. See more of our favourite launch spots here.

India and Joshua