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Starting at Allington |
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| The other nine locks above Allington may be operated by the skipper or crew using a lock handle with an internal square of One inch or 25-4mm. Please make sure you know lock procedure before using one. | |||
| The Environment agency have a keeper by the lifting bridge at Yalding, Generally between Easter and the end of September, hours are, weekends and public holidays 0900 hrs-1300 hrs then 1400 hrs - 1 hour before sunset. Weekdays are 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs and 0100 hrs to 1500 hrs. | |||
| The lock is operated by Environment agency river-keepers. Between 1st of march and 31st October the lock is manned 3 hours before high tide until 2 hours after, where those hours fall between 0700 hrs to sunset. Or any other day, 3 hours before high tide and 2 hours after, where the hours fall between 0800 hrs and 1600 hrs. The lock may not be used outside these times unless you give 24 hours notice within the above times to the river-keeper. The duty river-keeper may be contacted by telephone during working hours on 01622 752864. | |||
| A key to operate the road barrier and bridge can be bought for the sum of £5 from either the bridge keeper or from the agencies district officer at Leigh. | |||
| In case of emergency phone 01732 838858 office hours and 0800 807060 outside these hours. | |||
| Here is a list of boatyards or marinas you will find on your trip upstream. | |||
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Allington lock - East Farleigh Allington marina 01622 752057 Fords wharf boatyard 01622 752918 Tovil boatyard 01622 686341 ------------------------------------------- East Farleigh - Teston lock Bridge boat service 01622 721973 ------------------------------------------ Teston lock to Yalding lock Bow bridge marina 01622 812802 Medway wharf marina 01622 813927 Hampstead marine 01622 812673 Hampstead leisure 01622 814158 Twyford bridge marina 01622 814378 ------------------------------------------ Yalding lock to Eldridges lock No marinas or boatyards ------------------------------------------ Eldridges lock to Tonbridge Tonbridge waterways 01732 360630 -------------------------------- |
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PLEASE NOTE. 5 KNOTS SPEED LIMIT ON ALL UPSTREAM STRETCHES |
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| Please slow down when passing moored boats, and when passing rowers and users of small craft, where your wash can cause an accident. Watch out for fishermen who will sometimes be hidden by trees/bushes etc. | |||
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What to do on the River Medway |
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| Boating This part of the river attracts many boating enthusiasts, in both powered and unpowered craft, and a host of water-based activities, ranging from canoeing and sculling events to bathtub and plastic duck races! The Maidstone River Festival, held at the end of July, is the high point of recreational activity on the river. |
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| Walking The towpath has been re-established by the Medway River Project as a river walk, running along the length of the river from Allington to Leigh and switching sides from stretch to stretch. The river winds its way through orchards and hop gardens, known as the Garden of England, and a well-maintained and signposted footpath network allows public access from the river farther into the beautiful Kent countryside and beyond. |
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| Natural history
An abundance of wildlife is found along the riverbanks: wild flowers such as
water forget-me-not, comfrey and wild garlic, birds that include the green
woodpecker, kingfisher and nightingale, and many insects including butterflies
and dragonflies. You can fish for nothing in the following stretches without belonging to an angling club, as long as you have a valid rod licence (obtainable from post offices) if aged 12 or over: - upstream from Yalding Sluice, 200m along south bank (except April to
September); |
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| Some angling clubs sell day tickets for fishing on other stretches of the river. Day tickets can be purchased from Tonbridge and District Angling and Fish Preservation Society, 01732 832352. | |||
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http://www.medway-cruiser.co.uk |
