The Spooks of Regents Canal: Little Venice to Camden Market
A London city route boasting the ghosts of London’ s historic past. This Regents Canal route offers views of the misty Regents Park, takes you past the growls of werewolves that live in London Zoo and into Camden Market for a toffee apple treat.
Starting at the Towpath off Blomfield Road in Little Venice, this 4.6-mile route should take you between one and a half to three hours, depending on your paddling speed and how many stops you make along the way. Paddling until you reach Camden Market before turning around and heading back to the starting point
Beware, along this route, you’ ll encounter the entrance to the darkness of Maida Hill Tunnel. You must contact the Canal and River Trust in advance if you wish to paddle through the tunnel. Failure to do so may result in creepy creatures that dwell inside the tunnel chasing you away! If you don’ t have permission to paddle through, you’ ll need to portage 249m over it.
Discover more about this route here: https:// www. instagram. com / p / DBO2m1Ktkib /?
River Ouse in the haunted city of York
Did you know York is the most haunted city in the UK? This 4.5-mile route will take you through the heart of York as you discover its history and iconic sites.
From the city’ s Roman roots to medieval castles, there is so much to see from the water. As the most haunted city in the UK, you’ re sure to have many ghostly encounters.
Launch from Rowntree Park, you’ ll paddle north along the River Ouse and into the city. You’ ll soon pass under the ornate, Gothic-style Skeldergate Bridge, with Tower Gardens opening up on your right.
Once you pass Ouse Bridge, King’ s Staith is on your right- home to York’ s original ghost walks and the King’ s Arms, known as the city’ s most frequently flooded pub.
Discover more about this route here: https:// www. instagram. com / reel / DMLTMEIMlz9 /?
Discover and plan your own spooky trail
Nothing is stopping you from planning a spooky paddle on your local route, either. Why not look further into some local folklore and spooky goings on near your usual haunts and make it a paddle to remember?
Plan a fancy dress paddle
The classic plan is a fancy dress paddle. Remember not to wear something too heavy or floaty as you don’ t want to cause a hazard … but face paints, werewolf gloves, your paddle turned into a broomstick … You know the sort of thing! Psst, don’ t forget the weather at this time of year. If you’ re not sure what to wear and how to layer up, check our guide on the next page for tips on what to wear paddling in autumn.
Join or organise a spooky paddle clean-up
If witches and skeletons don’ t scare you, then the amount of litter that ends up in the rivers, canals, and lakes where we paddle will. Instead of collecting treats this Halloween, why not collect some litter from your local waterway? Grab a trickor-treat bag and head to the waters to see what horrors you can save from the water. Check out our guide with top tips on how to organise your spooky clean up: https:// gopaddling. info / blog / tips-andadvice / general-paddling / how-to-organise-a-riverclean-up-with-your-friends /. paddleuk. org. uk Whatever you plan on doing this Halloween, make it one to remember. If you take any spooky paddling pics, we’ d love to see them! Tag us using @ paddluk on Instagram and Facebook.
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