Waterside Canoe Club

River Guide

The Get-On here at Ingleby is historically, Well-Used Access area for Canoesists.
The access into the water here is pretty straight forward, after perhaps wading your way through the stinging nettles that have overgrown there the get-on is a simple muddy bank and pretty flat.
Once one and underway, you will realise how wide the RIver Trent is in sections and oerhaps you will notice some of the unhindered views of Aircraft taking off from the nearby East Midlands Airport.
After around 2 miles of classic meandering you will come accross Swarleston Bridge & Causeway. This Bridge & Causeway appears very old when observing it, Infact it is extremely old, The bridge & Causeway have been in situ here since the 13th century and apart from a flood in 1795, resulting in the main river crossing section being rebuilt, it is pretty much as it was built. It was also the site of The Battle Of Swarkestone Bridge in 1643 where Bonny Prince Charles was attempting to make his way south and take the throne, Alas, He was unsuccessful and retreated back to scotland and then abroad. All quite impressive considering it is still utilised by thousands of people a day and modern traffic.
Here the old ford creates turbulants in the water and sometimes makes for a fun playspot in certain levels.
After around half mile from here, Cuttle Brook joins the River Trent on the River Right.
Continue now for 3 miles as the river moves away from Swarkestone and moves along Weston-On-Trent, At places during this strech, you are mere feet from the Canalised section of the Navigation (Trent & Mersey Canal) … Soon you will see The Priest House, the site of an old Mill, the original line of the Mill Race can still be worked out and position of the wheel. The Priest House is now a Top Range Hotel who’s guests often arrive by Helicopter !
Here you can stop for a lunch break on the River Left, directly oppositw The Priest House and if you’re lucky, you may see the prior!
Continue for around 1.5 Miles and you will see the Outfalls from the now demolished Power Station. The water here would have been considerably warmer than the rest of the river, some 25 years ago. Now however, there is a huge M&S Distribution centre on the site.
Another 1.5 miles and you will be passing under the A50 Southern Bypass.
Half mile after this and you will be yet again around 8 feet from the Canalised section of this navigation Where the Clock Warehouse Public House can just be seen on the other side of the hedge rows. You will also see Shardlow Marina here.
Just under 2 miles downstream you will come across the Confluence where The Trent & Mersey Canal & River Derwent both join The River Trent. After Rainfall there is a distinct difference in water colour here, where the Derwent is pushing it’s crystal clear waters into the often more brown looking, river trent – Quite interesting to see !
another half mile will see you having just passed under the Main M1 Motorway Bridge and having a choice whether to shoot the Sawley Weir, Portage it or continue down past Swaley Marina (Half Mile) and Portaging The Lock. The Weir is Okay in Low, Moderate Conditions to the Middle but toward the right is an infamous ledge and some exposed steelwork that folk have come into contact with in the past – So always best to check the conditions out before running.
Just after the marina here the River and Navigation join back up as the River passes udner the Willington Branch Line of the Midland Mainline Railway.
One last mile to go sees you reach Trent Lock. Again Where the River Soar, Erewash & Cranfleet Canals Converge and join The River Trent.
There are plenty of Pubs and Parking at Trent Lock and quite often, an ice cream van frequents the Get-Off, which makes for a nice treat after a long paddle !