Route Plan

This guide should only be used in conjunction with the relevant Ordnance Survey maps (Nos. 173,174,175 & 176) and other road maps. The DW Organisation accepts no responsibility for support crews becoming lost whilst following this guide, or for road works and diversions.
If you discover any inaccuracies, errors or omissions - please tell us!

Some Tricks For calculating ETAs

Get to know your crews' speed in training so that you can accurately predict their ETAs. Whilst waiting for your crew, make a note of the boat numbers of other boats as they go through. Soon you recognise those just ahead of your crew and can get ready for them.

Create a table of viewing points, distances, times, etc. in advance. This is useful if you have a team that you know will keep a steady speed that is predictable in advance.

If you are not sure of your crew's speed, use graph paper. Plot time vertically with 1 minutes per 1mm and distance across with 1/10 mile per 1mm. Mark all the points where you intend to see your crew as vertical lines at the right distance and as you see them, mark the time on that line. Once you have two or more points, you can extrapolate to the next vertical line and be accurate to within a minute or two. Crews do tend to paddle at a constant speed for many miles even if that speed varies from day to day.

If You Lose your Crew

Firstly give them a bit more time. Then, if you are not sure where they may have got to, move on to the next point where your table or chart shows you can guarantee to be ahead. If they do not appear with the other boats whose numbers you recognise, then call DW Information Centre on 0207-620-0298. We may have a message for you or we know something else you don't. Lots of support parties lose their crews.

Devizes - Newbury

DEVIZES CAR PARK
Toilets in car park. (24 hour)
Exit car Park - turn LEFT
Toilets in car park on right(24 hour)
Follow main road around three roundabouts and pick up signs to Swindon.
Toilets in park on right. (24 hour)
Leave Devizes by London Road - still following Swindon signs
Cross over canal and past Army barracks.
Turn RIGHT at roundabout-
Pewsey/Horton/Bishops Cannings
Canal Bridge, past Bridge Inn Pub
HORTON BRIDGE (2.4 miles)
Straight through Horton
Over Canal Bridge (3.9 miles)
Continue on main road - signed to Pewsey
To T-junction (Alton Barnes),
turn RIGHT Woodborough / Hillcott
Follow main road
HONEY STREET BRIDGE (7.9 miles)
Retrace route to Alton Barnes,
straight on at T-junction
Immediately past junction turn RIGHT - Wilcot / Pewsey
WILCOT BRIDGE (10.6 miles)
Follow main road - signed Pewsey into Pewsey,
over railway line - follow main road
To T-junction, turn LEFT - Oare / Marlborough
Under railway bridge
PEWSEY WHARF, (11.80 miles)
car park on RIGHT
On Friday Morning (9am-12 noon), you may park in St Francis School opposite.
Toilets
Retrace route to Pewsey
Past T-junction, at mini roundabout
take RIGHT fork
At War Memorial turn LEFT- Burbage
Follow main Burbage Road
Ignore 1st sign to Wootton Rivers,
go to Milton Lilbourne
Turn LEFT for Wootton Rivers
Follow main route,
under railway bridge bear RIGHT
Over Canal (13.7 miles)
To T-junction turn RIGHT to Wootton Rivers
SINGLE track road into Wootton Rivers
T-junction at Royal Oak Pub turn RIGHT-
Eastern Royal
WOOTTON RIVERS (14.7 miles)
Parking before or after bridge
Over railway bridge bear LEFT -Eastern Royal
Follow main road - VERY NARROW
T-junction turn RIGHT - Eastern Royal
T-junction turn LEFT on to B3087- Burbage
Follow main road to Burbage
At roundabout, straight over- East Grafton/Hungerford A338
To East Grafton, At cross-roads
turn LEFT - Crofton
SINGLE track road
CENTRE OF CROFTON FLIGHT (18.7 miles)
T-junction, turn RIGHT over bridge -
Follow railway line then over railway bridge
CROFTON - follow maim road
Sharp left-hand bend, turn RIGHT.
BOTTOM OF CROFTON FLIGHT (19.2 miles)
Park here, footpath over railway line.Turn right.
Continue along main road to Gt Bedwyn
At T-junction bear LEFT into Gt Bedwyn
Into village, past Church to T-junction
GREAT BEDWYN (20.8 miles)
Turn RIGHT over railway to canal -
limited parking at wharf
Turn LEFT out of car park
to centre of Gt Bedwyn
At '3 Tuns' Pub, turn RIGHT -Little Bedwyn
Follow signs for Little Bedwyn
Do not park on bridge or in village near canal
Turn RIGHT over railway and canal -
signed to Bagshot
Turn LEFT at next junction
(Georgian red brick house/ white portico)
continue along road - canal on left
FROXFIELD FLIGHT (23.0 miles - lock 68)
ample parking & access to all 3 locks
bearing round to LEFT over canal
On over railway bridge to A4,
turn RIGHT - Hungerford
(Toilets on right as you enter the town; closed at night).
To mini roundabout, turn RIGHT - signed Town Centre/ Salisbury
Over canal into High St. Parking on High St
HUNGERFORD LOCK (25.5 miles)
Access is upstream of canal bridge
From Bridge, continue up High St,
pass under railway bridge
From High St, turn LEFT into Park St
On to Hungerford Common- canal on left
T-Junction, bear LEFT - signed Kintbury
Next LEFT - Lower Denford,
Over railway to canal at Dunmill
DUNNMILL LOCK (26.5 miles)
limited parking
Out of Portdown Common to A4 turn RIGHT
Along A4 to right turn for Kintbury,
turn RIGHT
Continue along road to level crossing,
parking in this area:
KINTBURY LOCK (28.8 miles)
Public Toilets for supporters and CREW.
Retrace route from Kintbury to A4
Turn RIGHT onto A4 towards Newbury
Turn RIGHT signed to Marsh, Benham/Hampstead Marshall
Over next cross roads,
Over level crossing:
HAMPSTEAD LOCK (31.2 miles)
upstream of bridge - limited parking
Retrace route from Hampstead Marshall to A4
Turn RIGHT onto A4 and continue to Newbury
1st roundabout -straight over London/M4
2nd roundabout -Follow 'All Traffic'
3rd roundabout -3rd Exit Winchester A34
4th roundabout -Turn RIGHT-Town Centre
mini roundabout -
Turn RIGHT-into Wharf Rd and car parks.
NEWBURY WHARF (34.5 miles)
Toilets for Supporters and Crew.

Newbury to Marlow

NEWBURY WHARF CAR PARK (34.5 miles)
Leave car parks,
turn LEFT at mini roundabout
1st roundabout -
Turn LEFT-'London/ Reading onto A4'
2nd roundabout -Turn RIGHT-'Reading A4'
Follow A4 out of Newbury
Follow A4 thru' Thatcham
(ignore mini roundabout)
Take 2nd exit off next roundabout-
into Pipers Lane (NOT Pipers Way)
To next roundabout 1st exit- Thatcham Stn
OLD MONKEY MARSH LOCK 90 (37.8 miles)
Park on LEFT in Station Car Park.
Access to lock by foot is across level crossing,
turn right along canalside.
Return to roundabout
Turn RIGHT - Pipers Lane-
signed Reading/ A4
Next roundabout-Turn RIGHT on to A4
(COLTHROPE LOCK (38.7 miles)
turn RIGHT
Restricted access back to A4
due to experimental 'No right turn'.
Turn left towards Newbury and
use roundabout to
turn back towards Reading.)
(MIDGHAM LOCK, (39.5 miles)
turn RIGHT at Coach and Horses - limited parking)
Follow A4 to Woolhampton
In Woolhampton, turn RIGHT at Angel Inn
Continue over level crossing and canal - Rowbarge Inn
OLD WOOLHAMPTON LOCK (40.8 miles)
Retrace route to A4, turn RIGHT
Follow A4
Turn RIGHT -signed Aldermaston Stn
Turn Left and carry on -
ALDERMASTON LOCK (42.9 miles)
parking and toilets
at Kennet and Avon Visitors Centre.
Retrace path back to A4
Turn RIGHT on to A4
(UFTON NERVET LOCK (44.6 miles)
turn RIGHT at end of dual carriageway
at Winning Hand for - poor parking)
Continue Along A4
Turn RIGHT at Pub/restaurant (Mulligans)
Over railway bridge
TYLE MILL LOCK (45.2 miles)
over river to Canal at Tyle Mill - good parking
Retrace route from Padworth to A4
Turn RIGHT for A4
Follow A4 to next roundabout,
take 2nd exit- Theale
Straight into Theale past Church
to mini roundabout, turn RIGHT (3rd Exit)
Straight over next 2 small roundabouts,
follow road over railway (straight ahead)
Past Station (on left),
over canal swing bridge
SHEFFIELD LOCK Theale (46.9 miles)
Parking and access to lock 50 yards on
Turn LEFT into ARC entry,
bear LEFT and follow track to canal
Retrace route to roundabouts near station
Straight over both back into Theale.
At High St roundabout, turn RIGHT
At next roundabout, take 2nd exit (RIGHT)
At next roundabout, take 1st exit on to A4
Straight over M4 (Junction 12) roundabout
Follow A4 towards Reading
Continue on A4 -
straight over the next 3 roundabouts
Over next set of traffic lights
to mini-roundabout- straight over
At next set of lights turn RIGHT to Burghfield
Follow road over river and railway bridges
BURGHFIELD LOCK (48.6 miles)
Over canal bridge, park on the left.
Lock is upstream of bridge 450 metres
Retrace steps from Burghfield
to A4, turn RIGHT
Straight across next 5 mini roundabouts-
sign posted A4 /Town Centre
Straight over next set of traffic lights
Down to main roundabout, turn RIGHT- signed 'All Other Routes'
Down onto the Inner Distribution Road
Straight over next set of lights
Queens St Car Park has public Toilets.
Follow signs All other routes/A4Maidenhead
Leave Reading (passing MARSPORT)
Follow A4/Maidenhead
NO ACCESS TO BLAKES LOCK
1st roundabout take 1st exit (A329M)
To next roundabout - 1st exit25m on left,
turn left into car park or on road
DREADNOUGHT REACH (54.0 miles)
Compulsory portage sited 150m upstream
Leave car park turn left along dual carriageway.
To the next roundabout take the 3nd exit.
This will return you the way you came
Back to roundabout at end of A329M
Take 1st exit.
Take slip road back on to roundabout on A4
Take 1st exit - A4
Next roundabout - 3rd exit A4
Next roundabout - 1st exit A4
Over railway bridge to crossroads -
turn LEFT - B446 Sonning
Follow road thru' village to T-junction,
turn LEFT B478 'Thames St'
Follow Road over Thames
SONNING LOCK (55.4 miles)
Very restricted parking; stop only if necessary
To next roundabout- straight over
To next roundabout-
3rd exit (RIGHT) to Henley A4155
Continue on A4155 to outskirts of Henley
Gulf Garage.
Turn RIGHT Mill Lane Over railway bridge
MARSH LOCK (61.1 miles)
1st opening on LEFT to car park.
Exit car park, turn RIGHT
Retrace route from Marsh Lock to A4155,
turn RIGHT.
Straight through Henley Town Centre
follow signs for Marlow A4155.
To mini-roundabout,
turn RIGHT A4155/ Marlow
Continue on A4155 to Hambledon.
In village MILLEND
turn LEFT, signposted car park
Continue down road - car park on LEFT
hand side. Max height 6'8
HAMBLEDON LOCK (64.3 miles)
Access by walking back to A4155,
turn RIGHT and cross road.
Follow footpath signs and
cross gantry over weir to Lock
Retrace route from car park to A4155,
turn LEFT- signed 'Marlow'
Straight into Marlow to War Memorial,
Turn RIGHT- signed 'Bisham'
At end of High St, mini-roundabout
turn LEFT (Prince of Wales Pub)
Take 3rd RIGHT(Fish & Chip shop on Corner) Down to end- parking LIMITED
(If you go to HURLEY LOCK, accept the instructions of parking marshals. There is another canoeing event on at Hurley).
MARLOW LOCK (70.2 miles)
Access via foot path at end of Gardens
On return, continue past entrance to lock,
take first LEFT- 'Lock Rd'
To cross roads,
turn LEFT (Marlow Donkey Pub on corner)
Return to Marlow High St -
mini roundabout turn LEFT
Over Marlow Bridge,
1st LEFT to Cookham Dean / Longridge Scout Camp
Entrance to Longridge (70.7 miles)
on LEFT after Bridge

Marlow to Teddington

LONGRIDGE SCOUT CAMP (70.7 miles)
Exit Longridge, turn LEFT
Follow signs to 'Cookham'
Straight through Cookham,
over level crossing B4447
Across village green to T-junction,
(RIVERSIDE Access (74.3 miles)
turn LEFT for support at Cookham Bridge-
(A4094) Limited Parking. This Bridge is CLOSED to vehicles. Back to T-junction and straight on to 'Maidenhead')
Past car park with toilets on RIGHT
Continue towards Maidenhead.
At point were river runs parallel to road-
car park on RIGHT
BOULTERS WEIR (76.8 miles)
Access is by foot,
leave car park turn RIGHT .110 yards to
bridge over lock, past Hotel and into Park. Go to far end of Park- Portage by weir.
Toilets for Support and CREW, open 24 hours.
Important: before leaving this car park you must decide whether time permits support at BRAY - only suitable for slower crews or with 2 support vehicles
Amereden Caravan Park opposite Old Marsh Lane accept booking over Easter and have good showers and toilets.
Exit car park turn RIGHT
To T-junction/ roundabout, turn LEFT A4
Follow signs to 'Slough'
Over River. Take 1st RIGHT after railway bridge- signed 'Dorney reach'
(For BRAY lock turn RIGHT into 'Old Marsh Lane'
Take next RIGHT into very narrow lane past houses, immediately after sharp RIGHT
hand bend take LEFT turn into private car park.
BRAY LOCK (78.7 miles)
Access from rear of car park
Back to end of 'Old Marsh Lane')
Turn RIGHT over M4 motorway
through Dorney Reach to T-junction
Turn RIGHT onto B3026 to 'Windsor'
(Turning to BOVENEY Lock on right
lock is 10 mins walk:-
exit car park at rear -car park closes 5pm,
turn right along bridle path
left at St Mary Magdelen Chapel)
Continue to Eton, past School
to Traffic Lights,
turn LEFT B3022 -Windsor & Slough
Follows signs for Windsor, B3022
Go to roundabout,
take first exit- 'Windsor'
A332 over Thames
Take slip road to LEFT
down to roundabout
Take first exit signed 'Town Centre'
Straight over 3 sets of Traffic Lights
to roundabout
Take first exit - Datchet
Under old railway bridge to river front
bear RIGHT
(In high water conditions, COMPULSORY PORTAGE for competitors round bridge into lock cut)
Over next set of lights, turn LEFT after BR station into car park behind playing fields.
ROMNEY LOCK (84.6 miles)
Access over footbridge at the left corner of the Pay and Display Car Park,
turn RIGHT to end of road,
through gate on LEFT,
crossing lock, by upstream gate at far end
turn LEFT and follow path along to portage, near weir
Retrace route from ROMNEY Lock
to main road,
turn LEFT Over Thames B3021 into Datchet.
Follow signs for 'Staines & Old Windsor'
Cross Thames once more
following signs - 'Staines & Egham' A308
Turn LEFT after Wheatsheaf Pub-
Church Road for OLD WINDSOR Lock
Follow Church Road to St George's Farm
(Ornamental Railings)
Turn LEFT into Ham Lane.
Go to End of Ham Lane
Parking before footbridge on RIGHT only
(NO VEHICLES ON TOW PATH)
OLD WINDSOR LOCK, (87.8 miles)
walk RIGHT along River 300 metres.Retrace route from Lock to main road
Turn LEFT to mini roundabout
1st exit- 'Staines & Egham' A308
RIVERSIDE ACCESS (89.4 miles)
(By day after 1/2 mile turn LEFT into car park meet crew on bankside.
Toilets at Rear of National Trust Tea Rooms)
(At night, Car Park is shut)
Back onto Road through Park,
or carry on through Park if not stopping
To roundabout, take 2nd exit (straight over)
signed 'Staines town centre'
Straight over mini roundabout
To next roundabout-
1st exit- Staines Town centre / Wraysbury B376
Through Runnymede Park and over Thames
Bear RIGHT into 1-way system , keep right-
signed 'Shepperton' B376
To T-junction
(with Thames Lodge Hotel straight ahead)
turn LEFT -'Shepperton'B376
Continue on B376 to Laleham,
250 yards past Lucan Arms
turn RIGHT into 'Riverway'
Proceed to end where Riverway meets Ryde Rd.
PENTON HOOK LOCK-(93.1 miles)
Access via footpath,
through entry to river front, turn RIGHT
Retrace route from PENTON HOOK
to main road, turn RIGHT
On to next roundabout,
turn RIGHT- 'Shepperton' B376
Take 3rd turning on RIGHT at 'Three Horseshoes'- Ferry Lane
Along river bank past Laleham Caravan Park
Toilets in Council Car Park
continue under M3
CHERTSEY LOCK (95.0 miles)
park along roadside
Continue to T-junction,
turn LEFT to roundabout Take 2nd exit - Shepperton B376
after 3-400 yards turn RIGHT
into concealed road 'Dockett Eddy Lane'
(just after Lee Motors)
Long straight road to river
SHEPPERTON LOCK (97.0 miles)
Follow LEFT bend along one way road
Parking on roadside as available
Toilets for supporters or crew - NEED 10P.
Proceed straight on (downstream direction),
turning sharp LEFT and
follow road up Ferry Lane
to B376 turn RIGHT
Car Park with toilets on the right.
To roundabout,
take 3rd exit- Sunbury B375
To roundabout,
take 3rd exit-'Walton' A244
Over Thames, LEFT-hand lane,
Turn LEFT at lights-
signed 'Hampton Court' A3050
Straight over next set of lights
Toilets on left
Carry on to next roundabout
take 1st exit (LEFT)-
signed to Leisure Centre
Down straight road to mini roundabout
Take 2nd exit (RIGHT)
down rough lane to pub 'The Weir'.
Park car opposite pub
SUNBURY LOCK (100.0 miles)
Access by walking RIGHT
along river bank crossing Footbridge and
continue 100 metres to Rollers
Retrace route from SUNBURY Lock,
turning LEFT back onto A3050
Water Works on both sides of road
MOLESLEY LOCK (103.1 miles)
on LEFT.
EXTREMELY restricted Parking
Access to Lock back along river bank
Continue to Hampton Court Bridge
Turn LEFT over river
To roundabout, 2nd exit (Straight over).
2nd exit over Kingston Bridge for Ham
Follow Kingston 0ne-Way
Turn LEFT onto A307 (Richmond Road)
After 1 mile turn LEFT at traffic lights
by Texaco garage into Dukes Avenue
(becomes Riverside Drive)
Senior Doubles:
TEDDINGTON LOCK (108.0 miles)
Continue to end of housing on the left
Park in roadway.
5 minutes walk
along cycleway signposted Teddington
walk over foot bridge to Lock Island.
Tideway Begins
Juniors, Singles, Veteran/Junior:
THAMES YOUNG MARINERS
(108.4 miles)
Signed on LEFT

Teddington (Ham) to Westminster

For Tideway, use an A-Z or other London map. There are plenty of bridges to see your crew.
Boat speeds are MUCH greater (Assume about 3mph greater on average).
Westminster.
Particularly on the Monday, supporters should use public toilets, (the numbers we can supply are insufficient and the public one won't have been drenched with river water by canoeists)
Excellent public toilets exist on north side of the river either near the Embankment Tube Station or on Westminster Pier (across Westminster Bridge from County Hall) These are open 7:15am to 11pm You may also use Festival Hall, if it is open.
There are public car parks nearby, but no car parking on site
When your crew has landed, make sure they receive their medals and a finish chit
Canoes must be taken out at the steps immediately before Festival Pier, not at County Hall steps.