This area covers the River Thames from the tidal limit at Teddington Lock down to Lower Hope Point, a few miles east of Gravesend.
Most visiting paddlers will come for the opportunity to paddle into central London. However, other trips are possible and this stretch of water is home to at least two active sea kayaking clubs.
Tilbury: High water is 50 minutes before high water at London Bridge
Greenwich Pier: High water is 15 minutes before high water at London Bridge
Westminster: High water is 12 minutes after high water at London Bridge
Chelsea: High water is 20 minutes after high water at London Bridge Low water is an hour after low water at London Bridge.
Putney: High water is 30 minutes after high water at London Bridge
Hammersmith: High water is 38 minutes after high water at London Bridge Low water is 2 hours after low water at London Bridge.
Chiswick: High water is 49 minutes after high water at London Bridge Low water is 2 and a half hours after low water at London Bridge.
Richmond Lock: High water is 1 hours after high water at London Bridge Low water is 3 and a quarter hours after low water at London Bridge. It is possible to pass through the barrage 2 hours either side of high water - at other times, portage around the lock.
London Bridge*: London Bridge is a standard port.
Chelsea Bridge*: High water is 15 minutes after high water at London Bridge
Kew Bridge*: High water is 50 minutes after high water at London Bridge
Woolwich*: High water is 25 minutes before high water at London Bridge
Thames, Gravesend Reach: The east going stream begins at 20 minutes before high water at London Bridge. The west going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes after high water at London Bridge. The east going stream reaches a speed of 2.7 knots at springs. The west going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.
Eddy at Broadness: An eddy forms to the south west of the point on the in-going stream.
Thames, Long Reach by Purfleet: The south-east going stream begins at at high water at London Bridge. The north-west going stream begins at 6 hours and 15 minutes after high water at London Bridge. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.
Thames, Halfway Reach: By Dagenham Motor Works: The east south-east going stream begins at at high water at London Bridge. The west north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 50 minutes before high water at London Bridge. The east south-east going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The west north-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.
London Bridge: The east south-east going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at London Bridge. The west north-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 20 minutes before high water at London Bridge. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs.
The Port of London Authority imposes a range of regulations on this stretch of water which must be understood and followed by kayakers - including an obligation to contact London VTS (VHF channel 14) if paddling in some areas. The website includes much useful information including a code of practise and a map, which are worth studying carefully. Despite being somewhat sheltered, the combination of fast tidal streams and lots of river traffic make this a potentially hazardous place to paddle.
London VTS*: London VTS, the port authority for the tidal Thames, can be contacted on VHF channel 14 or 0203 2607711. Paddlers are advised to contact London VTS if paddling below Wandsworth Bridge. Paddlers must contact London VTS before paddling between Chelsea Bridge and Cherry Garden Pier (Central London) or paddling in the dark below Wandsworth Bridge.
Gravesend: (TQ 653 744) g Long slipway by Gravesend Rowing Club, large car park 250 m south.
Greenhithe: (TQ 588 752) g Slipway at the end of Pier Road. The road is narrow. Parking 150 m south off Eagles Road. There is a height restriction, but roadside parking also available.
North Woolwich: (TQ 438 798) g Slipway at the end of Barge House Road. Limited roadside parking.
Poplar Rowing Club: (TQ 383 783) g Slipway. Roadside parking nearby, restricted Monday to Friday.
Shadwell, Prospect of Whitby: (TQ 353 805) g A small passage to the right of the Prospect of Whitby pub leads to the Pelican Stairs down to the river. On street parking nearby, with restrictions Monday to Friday. Tower Hamlets Canoe Club is just downriver from here, but a gate blocks access to the river at their launch site.
Putney, boathouses: (TQ 237 761) g Parking along the Embankment - restricted to residents Monday to Friday. Other options, with varying restrictions, on nearby streets. Put in on the hard in front of the rowing clubs near the end of Festing Road.
Richmond, Ham House: (TQ 170 732) g The Ham Street car park (to the west of Ham House) is near a slipway into the river.
Barnes Bridge*: (TQ 214 765) g Free parking is available along Riverside drive and The Promenade to the north of here. Close to Barnes Bridge, The Promenade turns slightly west to go round some boathouses, with a layby (loading only) on the east side. A path from this layby gives access to the slipway and steps in front of some rowing clubs. Access at all states of the tide.
St. Mary' Church, Battersea*: (TQ 268 768) g Slipway leading down to beach at low water. Small adjacent parking area run by a parking app.
Greenland Dock*: (TQ 367 791) g Steps lead down from the riverside just south of the ferry pier. Awkward at high water, as the bottom of the steps will be covered and impractical due to mud at low water - use 3 hours either side of high water only. Parking along Rope Street which runs west from here.
Millwall Dock slipway*: (TQ 371 791) g Large slipway. There is a floating barrier, but a flattened section can be paddled over with some effort. Parking restrictions 08:30-17:30 Mon-Fri. e.g. to the south along Westferry Road.
Newcastle Drawdock*: (TQ 386 785) g Public slipway. Parking restrictions 08:30-17:30 Mon-Fri, e.g. just to the south along Saunders Ness road.
Folly House Beach*: (TQ 385 793) g Slipway leads down to a shingle beach. Possible to drop boats close by. Parking available on Manchester Road, the main road to the west, restrictions 08:30-17:30 Mon-Fri.
Erith Causeway*: (TQ 515 782) g A long public slipway leads out into the river, permitting access at all states of the tide. Parking opposite the point where a lane leads down to here from the main road.
Eel Pie Island Bridge*: (TQ 164 732) g Access to river by bridge. Parking restricted Monday-Saturday.
By Eel Pie Island, Swan Slipway*: (TQ 165 733) g Slipway into river. Restricted parking Monday-Saturday. Pay & display parking 'York House Car Park' just to the north.
Petersham Draw Dock*: (TQ 178 735) g Slipway into river. The lane down to the slipways widens sufficiently to allow parking near its end.
Richmond Bridge Draw Dock*: (TQ 177 745) g Old slipway just to the east of the south end of Richmond Bridge. Limited parking, restricted Monday-Friday.
Isleworth Draw Dock*: (TQ 168 760) g Slipway into river. This area dries at low tide, may require walk across shingle and some mud to reach river. Parking at top of slipway and along road, but can be busy.
Kew Bridge*: (TQ 190 779) g Chelsea Kayak Club are located under the north end of Kew Bridge. Access to river via slipway on east side of bridge. Limited parking to west side of bridge.
Strand on the Green*: (TQ 197 775) g Slipway into river. Limited parking on busy road, restricted Monday-Friday.
The Ship*: (TQ 204 761) g Slipway onto shingle foreshore, can be coated with slippy mud. Parking adjacent to river - can be busy with pub customers.
Lonsdale Road*: (TQ 217 767) g Ramp provides access to the foreshore - carry across shingle and possibly mud at low tide. Short stay parking place to drop boats. Parking may be possible on roadside to north or south.
Chiswick slipway and causeway*: (TQ 216 778) g Slipway provides river access, long slipway providing access throughout tidal range. Roadside parking restricted Monday-Friday.
Hurlingham*: (TQ 253 755) g Slipway off corner of road. Roadside parking to the east, restrictions unknown.
Putney, Clubhouse slipway*: (TQ 239 759) g Away from the rowing clubs and opposite a nice cafe is a slipway, with parking nearby, restricted Monday-Saturday. The roadside parking floods on a spring high water, leaving very slippery mud behind.