How to get there - From junction 10 of the M4 travel north west on the A329(M). Continue on the A329 until it ends in a roundabout. Clearly a new road is planned but at the moment take the first exit from the roundabout (turning right) into Thames Valley Park Drive. The car park entrance is immediately on the left. BEWARE OF HEIGHT RESTRICTION!
For those with SatNav the postcode is RG6 1PQ.
Get a map with driving directions to start (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - The car park faces the Thames (see photo). Launch over the bank or a few yards to the left from the pontoons at Wokingham Waterside Centre.
General
Description - Set of right (north east) and pass through Sonning Lock in a mile and a half. A mile and a bit further on (as the river turns left) St Patricks Stream leaves on the right under a small bridge. It's not suitable for launches but fine for canoes so go under the bridge, keeping to the left to pass over the flow control gate.
This is the only part on the Thames where you can by-pass a lock (Shiplake) without a portage or a weir.
Follow this stream for about a mile (you will pass a channel on the left) until the junction with the River Loddon when you turn left. A further mile brings you onto the Thames just bellow Shiplake Lock.
Return to the start point via the main channel and the two locks. The overall distance for the trip is about 9 miles with three locks.
St. Patrick's Stream is popular with fisherman so, in the interests of harmony, it's best to do this trip in the closed fishing season which is 15th March to 15th June.
Comments on this trip
Klepper Adventure 08 May 2018
Paddled this route on the 7th of May 2018.It's a great route and is fun to explore. We launched from the St George Dragon in Wargrave and completed the round trip which was spectacular. The fast flowing waters at St Patrick's stream made the return journey a lot less hard work then paddling against the flow of the main river.
