On the Water
Pleasure Boats
There are two pleasure boats which can carry you on a picturesque trip along the Medway.
The Allington Belle is a fully licensed Mississippi style paddle boat and can take you along the Medway between Allington and East Farleigh locks. The boat holds around 50 people and runs regularly during the summer months. For more information see the website: www.allingtonbelle.co.uk
The Kentish Lady is a fully licensed stable catamaran and runs 1 hour or 3 hours pleasure trips. Depending on your cruise, boarding is from Allington Lock (next to the Malta Inn) or Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone. For more information see the website: www.kentishlady.co.uk
The Kingfisher Medway Trust is a registered charity and run by volunteers. Their purpose built boat is designed to take disadvantaged people of all ages on trips along the Medway. For more information about the Kingfisher visit their website: www.kingfishermedwaytrust.org.uk
Cruising/Boating
If you'd like to learn more about cruising in your own boat along the Medway then visit the Environment Agency website for more information about navigation and procedures www.environment-agency.gov.uk
There are facilities for boat users avaliable at Marinas along the River Medway.
Contacts include - Twyford Marina 01622 814378, Hampstead Marina 01622 812673, Bow Bridge Marina 01622 812802 or Allington Marina 01622 752057.
Locks are situated at Allington, Farleigh and Teston.
For more information visit the Medway River Users Association (MRUA) for up to date information about the Medway and links to organisations such as the many cruising clubs which may help you. www.mrua.co.uk
Canoeing
Like the Medway Valley Walk, a new Medway Canoe Trail has been created and the leaflet is almost ready to download. This canoe trail runs from Tonbridge to Allington Lock and the detailed leaflet gives you all the information and contacts you'll need to plan your trip. It also details each section of the route giving you ample information about the scenery and heritage. Taking a few days, the trip in a canoe is amazing, taking in beautiful Kentish scenery from woodland and meadow to the bank side villages. There are campsites and launch points along the route. Click on the link (available soon) to download the leaflet.
Maidstone Canoe Club is situated along the banks of the Medway near Maidstone and offers a variety of opportunities from fun paddling days to race training. Check out their website for more information: www.maidstonecanoeclub.net
Tonbridge Canoe Club is situated along the Medway not far from Tonbridge Castle and has a variety of kayaks and canoes and opportunities for different skill levels. For more information see their website: www.tonbridgecanoeclub.org.uk
WhiteWater Action - Medway are based on the River Medway in Yalding and offer a variety of opportunities from pool sessions to practise your capsize, to leisurely summer evening paddling and practising. See their website for more details: www.whitewateraction.co.uk
Rowing
Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club www.maidstonerowing.co.uk
If you would like to know more about canoeing and rowing in general then visit the website for the Amateur Rowing Association www.ara-rowing.org and the British Canoe Union www.bcu.org.uk