How to get there - Small turning (Swanwick Shore Road) off A27, 400m. southeast of the bridge over the Hamble at Swanwick leads to free car park and public hard.
For those with SatNav the postcode is SO31 7EF.
Get a map with driving directions to start (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Direct from hard next to car park.
General
Description - Head upstream keeping out of the main channel to avoid moored yachts. Once beyond the road bridge the river is quiet and almost deserted. Watch for strong currents at bend before bridge.
The upper Hamble is placid, with oak trees coming down to the water's edge giving the impression of a lake in parkland. After 1.5 miles the river forks and both branches can be explored at high tide, left to Botley (no convenient landing), right to Curbridge (pub landing stage), a total of about 6 miles if both branches explored.
The double high tide is complex to explain, but starting shortly before Southampton high water up to an hour after will find the river full of water.
Hamble Harbour Authority may levy a charge, but is unlikely to do so for canoes, or anything using the river above the A27 bridge.
Comments on this trip
Michael W 06 Jun 2011
We went went up with the tide on Friday (3 June). Would have been fantastic except the the wind (15 mph, gusting more) was coming straight down the river (the Bacon and Bree baguette with coleslaw and chips at the Horse and Jockey made it well worth it though!). Amazing how little development there is on this part of the river. Idyllic!
Aled Evans 02 Jun 2011
Top trip up river today. Loads of mullet basking in the sun. Horse and Jockey open again under new ownership. Very good lunch.
Simon Williams 02 May 2011
This is a fantastic part of the country and very beautiful and I am pleased to say I live here. My mate and I took to the water at about 10am 2 hours before high tide and we needed it as there was a very strong head wind all the way to the Horse and Jockey (which is now open). It was quite hard work and involved three rest stops. Quick pint at the horse (no law about on the river)and back we head but this time with tide and tail wind. Took us half the time. This river is really fantastic...
mener 24 Apr 2011
We wil be soon travelling up this stretch of water by canoe and will post our thoughts afterwards. We're looking forward to the tranquility and the views as its many years since ive canoed it. If anyone else in the know reads this post could they please tell me who ownes what stetch of riverbanks. Thanks
Mal Grey 13 Apr 2011
A great paddle. I left Swanwick about 1 1/2 hours before high tide at Southampton, reached the top after a gentle paddle just as the tide was turning. Coming back there was very little tidal help. Going through the busy marina area with tidal flow a strong wind you need to have your wits about you.Please note the Horse Jockey is currently closed, not sure why or for how long! (April 2011)
John Cox 18 Nov 2010
An excellent paddle I followed a kingfisher up the Botley spur. Round trip from Burlesdon to Botley and return works out at 8 miles (using Google Earth as measuring stick)
David Wilson 19 Feb 2007
Update on harbour dues: Hamble Authority has dropped charges for canoes.
