How to get there - From A690 (Leazes Road) in Durham turn down Freeman's Place. Park a few hundred yards past an old ice rink.
For those with SatNav a nearby postcode is DH1 1SQ.
Get a map with driving directions to start or end (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Launch from the ice rink car park on the right bank downstream of Durham's last weir. Don't tackle the weir.
General
Description - The five miles to Finchale Priory have good flow with some grade 2 rapids. Easy enough in a kayak but take care in a canadian.
Land left in the middle of the rapid just below the footbridge at Finchale Priory.. Good campsite. The next 8 miles to Chester-le-Street are pretty much all smooth water. Plenty of easy landing points by the bridge in Chester-le-Street.
I last paddled this about six years ago and experienced no problems, but there have been more recent reports of abusive fishermen.
Comments on this trip
lost camera 29 Aug 2012
I wonder if you could help me. I have lost my Go Pro Camera while Kayaking on the River Wear.It is a small Clear Plastic case approx. 4 x 3 in size with bright orange float attached to the back. As you can see in this photo. Please can you put this on a notice board or anyone you think may have found it. Reward If found. Please contact Lynne 07976 84 68 64 Thanksor is there anyway i can put this in your newspaper
brian 20 Jun 2012
just done this part of the river wear today had a brill time, only problem a couple of twisty fishermen
Roger Greenhalgh 07 Dec 2008
When I was a student at Durham in the 1960s, we used to do this section in kayaks. Canoeists might be interested in www.geograph.org.uk/photo/208155 It is a web site with a photograph of the River at Finchale. You can also find photographs from all over the British Isles on www.geograph if you are planning a trip.
