How to get there - Bures is on B1508 between Sudbury and Colchester. Look for Village Hall and Recreation Ground on north bank.
For those with SatNav the postcode is CO8 5BX.
Get a map with driving directions to start or end (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Park by village hall at Bures and carry canoe across recreation ground to landing stage - about 200 m.
General
Description - One of Britain's earliest commercial waterways, dating from 1705, and restored as a Millennium project. Only limited parts are suitable for powered boats, so peaceful for canoeists. All weirs are easily portageable. This section, about 6 miles, is best paddled downstream , and has three major portages at mills. Beware swans in nesting season! Take left branch on approaching Nayland and land either on the village green or further down, after a portage, at The Anchor, Nayland Bridge. No way back by public transport.
The river meanders from side to side of a wide valley, with hills on either side. Excellent meals at The Anchor at the end of this stretch.
BCU or EA licence required. Downloadable guide from the River Stour Trust, and details of an annual (September) social canoe trip 'Sudbury to the Sea'
Comments on this trip
Joe Philips XBZ 22 Jul 2016
I don't understand why it takes 4 hours to travel 6 miles for an athlete like myself
Keith 14 Apr 2010
There is only one campsite that I know of and it is very basic. It's Rushbanks Farm, Bures Road, Wissington CO6 4NA.
Ian 18 Sep 2007
For clarification purposes, the "left branch at Nayland" is a tunnel on the left about 300yds before the sluice gate which would otherwise block your journey.
alison findlay 23 Jul 2007
we are looking to canoe for 2 or 3 days and wondered about linking the days out from sudbury to bures, then bures to nayland and then Nayland to beyond. has anyone done this with camping by the river? can you recommend stopping sites?
