Liverpool University Canoe Club

Well, the Lake district is very close to Liverpool (1.hr30 to the close bits, 2hr.30 to the far bits). And its huge. And it has plenty of white water and lots of rain. Hooray!By the way, if a trip is called The Lakes Trip it might be on a lake……but it is more likely to be on white water in the lake district. Sometimes, e.g. freshers trip, its both.

For the lake district, its hard to write a section on “where we go” because there is an endless variety of possible trips there. So this page is just intended for jotting down combinations that have worked for us so far.

The main recommendation is, BUY THE “White Water Lake District Book” – it has very clear descriptions of all rivers in the area and around, including grades, start and stop points, suitable levels for each river and very handy area summaries. BUY IT NOW!

Day Trips

Its obviously possible to get to the Lake district and back in a day, so consider the following (not an exhaustive list – did I mention, buy the book?)

As should be obvious, the inclusion of a river in this list does not mean it will always be suitable – always consider river levels, weather conditions, your group abilities etc just as you always would: Just cos this list says “Suitable for Freshers” doesn’t mean it will be suitable for freshers in spate conditions, use your head.

• Brathay (Near end of the lakes, suitable for beginner trips)
• Rathay (ditto)
• Eden – there are at least two rivers called Eden. Both those are very nice. The nearer one is very good for beginners as it has good grade II+ rapids with wave trains and minimal consequences, look out for carvings of faces in the cliff wall of river bank, miss out the weir at the end. But check the book for dates as there is an access agreement on this river.
• Crake – good improvers depending on level. Slightly further away. Access agreement / dates apply.
• Leven – avoid the BCU dates, as there is a charge on those days
• Kent and Lune – harder, both include III+/IV graded rapids
• Harder becks – many possibilites, including Sprint, Troutbeck.

Places we sometimes stay

Conniston old hall campsite recommended by Will. Right on the waters edge! Perfect for get out of the tent and into the water. Good for freshers trip when we might play games on the lake. Walking distance to pub.

Village hall Sparks Bridge This has mattresses in a hall, with a small kitchen and a social room. There is a good pub in the village. The village is right at the get-out of the Crake river, so this is a very convenient place to stay for the Crake and Leven.

The brownie hut At the very top of the lake district, very good value brownie hut, handy for the Eden and other North rivers. Has many bunk beds, a kitchen, heating (take £1 coins for the heater), walking distance to the pub.

WHERE is the brownie hut?

nw of penrith. M6 Jn 41 B5305 NW signed Sebergham / Wigton. At or just b4 Sebergham, turn right, signed Churchtown. Tiny lane, curves left. Churchtown brownie hut end of lane opposite church.

DETAILS

Cost approx £3.50 per person per night + heating. Bunk beds, heating, showers, kitchen, big communal room. 18 bunks + a few z-beds + lots of mattresses. Quite a bit cosier than the university hut. Rented out by a lady from the church, called Poppy. Some of her family are kayakers. If you are organising this trip and need her phone number, get in touch with Helen.