Winding River Canoe
Winding River Canoe
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About
Winding River Canoe is a Devon based canoe company specialising in guided canoeing trips. The aim of these trips is to give you a break from your busy life, to relax, go slow, and to experience the magic of the river world. We offer: Evening Paddles and BBQ, Day paddles, Canoe Picnics, Weekend Safaris, Multi-day Canoe/Camping, Bushcraft-canoeing, Childrens Parties, Stag/Hen Weekends... You don't need to know how to canoe to come on one of our trips - most of our trips are suitable for novices. The basics are easy to learn and you'll soon be paddling in a straight(ish) line! Our experienced river guides are not only fully qualified British Canoe Union instructors, but also friendly and accommodating, with an intimate knowledge of the river. You can either: - book on one of the calendar trips - book as a private group Bookings for our trip are possible via our website.
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Winding River Canoe
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5.0
99 reviews
Excellent
95
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
jeh109
Devon, UK50 contributions
Jun 2023
The Dart river has to be one of the most picturesque in the UK and it does not get much better than experiencing it from a canoe on a sunny summer evening with a picnic/BBQ half way round.
Starting from the lovely village of Stoke Gabriel, Nick gave us all a short safety briefing which put us all at ease and we soon set off padding upriver for just over an hour. Everyone picked up paddling and steering pretty quick.
We stopped a secluded clearing in the wood where Nick and his assistant set up a simple but delicious picnic and BBQ using predominantly locally sourced foods which was a nice touch.
After a hearty feed, we had a leisurely 1hr paddle back to Stoke Gabriel during which we had the sun setting over the river valley which was lovely to see.
Saw lots of wild birds - buzzards, cormorants and egrets and a sole Red Arrow flying overhead (from the Torbay Airshow) was a real treat.
We’ve lived in the South Hams for 7 years and cannot believe we had not done this trip until now. We’ll surely do it again one day - perhaps trying one of the storytelling tours Nick runs.
Highly recommended 10/10.
Starting from the lovely village of Stoke Gabriel, Nick gave us all a short safety briefing which put us all at ease and we soon set off padding upriver for just over an hour. Everyone picked up paddling and steering pretty quick.
We stopped a secluded clearing in the wood where Nick and his assistant set up a simple but delicious picnic and BBQ using predominantly locally sourced foods which was a nice touch.
After a hearty feed, we had a leisurely 1hr paddle back to Stoke Gabriel during which we had the sun setting over the river valley which was lovely to see.
Saw lots of wild birds - buzzards, cormorants and egrets and a sole Red Arrow flying overhead (from the Torbay Airshow) was a real treat.
We’ve lived in the South Hams for 7 years and cannot believe we had not done this trip until now. We’ll surely do it again one day - perhaps trying one of the storytelling tours Nick runs.
Highly recommended 10/10.
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
colderick
Exeter, UK4 contributions
May 2023
I did the Wye Valley Expedition with Nick doing a great job as trip leader, guide, canoe teacher and chef. A wonderful trip spread over three days, truly immersive into the wildlife and ways of the river. The canoeing was well paced, everyone slipped into what Nick calls "river time", unhurried and peaceful. All the cooking from a cuppa on the riverbank to evening meals was done over open fires, all the meals provided were plentiful and delicious. The campsites were great, having a beer on the wharf watching the bats emerge over the river at dusk on our second night was just one of many memories from the trip. All the kit provided, tips on canoeing and overall organisation - all good. I really can't fault anything, 5 Star throughout.
Written 4 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C F
3 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
What a fabulous way to spend a Friday evening! So soothing - the bird song, the river, the camp fire and the story telling! Cannot recommend this highly enough.
Written 6 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for the great review! :-) Nick
Written 30 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Destination826438
Birmingham, UK2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Wonderful way for grand parents and grand children to share nature, stories and a little exercise for a few hours
Written 8 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yatessharon
Solihull, UK13 contributions
Jul 2022
First time canoeing for myself and my husband. Relaxed day. Nick and Roger were wonderful teachers, guides and prepared an amazing lunch for us in a wonderful secluded spot only accessible via the river. Amazing! Will definitely do again! Great for all ages and abilities.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison T
Bristol, England, United Kingdom9 contributions
Jul 2022
Fabulous trip up river from Stoke Gabriel, with a break on shore for a wonderful picnic sourced from local producers. Excellent guides who took good care of us. Very good value for money. Highly recommended.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DS01
2 contributions
May 2022
Nick and his very friendly dog Reggie took us on a leisurely evening paddle up the river to a secret spot for a sausage banquet. The surroundings were lovely and the paddling very easy. Nick was very good company and gave us lots of recommendations for other places to go in the area. Highly recommended for groups (there were six of us) and anyone who wants to explore the water in a leisurely and very pleasant way. Nice sausages too!
Written 19 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rachmitch21
Yelverton, UK1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Family
Fantastic trip down the river dart, can highly recommend. Extremely good value for money , the sausages and brownies were good quality and very tasty! Nick was extremely helpful with the information prior to the trip and accommodating with our timings. Tim was our guide for the evening, he was very friendly, informative and good company. We will definitely be back! Thank you Tim and Nick.
Written 6 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dasrga
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Family
Our trip on the River Dart was magical, gliding past tree-lined banks and vineyards and even spotting a seal playing in the water. With a stop off for coffee and cake, this was the prefect summer morning family adventure. Our two young boys loved it, especially having their own paddles.
Written 13 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspire727001
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Canoeing the river Dart at twilight and listening to a story by firelight while sipping hot chocolate is a wonderful, magical way to spend a summer’s evening. I can’t wait to go again, it was well organised and very manageable for me as a reasonable fit 65yr old!
Written 13 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are considering canoeing this weekend for the first time at Winding River - and wanted to know if the water conditions, etc. are good? Also, I thought I heard somewhere that there is a spot to stop and park our canoe, to eat? (a bbq food place?)
JemFriar
Ashburton, UK34 contributions
There are places that they stop for sure. You would need to contact them directly about river conditions