How to get there - Bray is just a mile or so south of Maidenhead bridge. From the M4 it is best approached from Junction 8. Take the Motorway spur (A308M) signposted to Maidenhead and at the roundabout take the third exit (A308 towards Windsor). Take the fourth left (as you go under the motorway) into Upper Bray Road. This will lead into High Street, Bray. Ferry Road is the fourth on the right and the slipway is at the far end.
For those with SatNav the postcode is SL6 2AT.
Get a map with driving directions to start (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - The slipway is at the end of Ferry Road, next to the Waterside Inn (considered by many to be the countrys best restaurant). Parking at the slipway is purely for the temporary use of the slipway so I suggest you unload and then park in the village car park at the junction of Old Mill Lane and High Street. (Use the link to the map and zoom in.)
General
Description - This trip is about 6 miles. Travel south through Bray Lock, under the M4 and Past Monkey Island. Just before Bray Marina turn left into The Cut. Although in places overgrown, reedy and shallow the cut is passable with no real difficulty. Pass under several small bridges until you go under the M4. Continue under a further road bridge and turn round at a weir.
I disturbed a deer here and as I drifted back I saw two more swim across the stream before disappearing into the undergrowth.
This channel is part of the proposed scheme to restore waterway access to maidenhead by the Maidenhead Waterways Recover Group.
Comments on this trip
Neil 14 Oct 2014
www.canoeandkayaktours.co.ukWe now Hire out canoes and will drop off for you to complete this, on any of the local trips.
James Rodwell 23 Aug 2011
I have followed this cut. If you pass under the M4 bridge by canoe you will hit a small weir approximately one mile ahead. It is at this point this backwater forks off towards Maidenhead. If you can get above the weir the cut proceeds under the M4 roundabout (junction 8 and 9) through Holyport Village, Paley Street and eventually Binfield.
Jim 31 May 2011
Paddled this route at the weekend - just as far as the B3028 bridge. Very shallow in places. Just down to about 6/7" under the M4, but still passable.Not the quietest of routes though due to the motorway noise.
Simon 29 Sep 2010
Shouldn't that be a right turn into The Cut
Keith Day 27 Jul 2009
I did this trip again last weekend. At the weir where I previously turned round there was a much more open channel to the right so I went further. This part of the channel is much more open and easier although there are still the odd places where vegetation closes in a bit. It's worth going this extra distance.
