This is a tributary of the River Wye. I parked and launched at Lucksall Camp Site and paddled up the Wye for about 1 mile. Here the river Lugg enters from the right bank. This is a much narrower river rather like the Soar where it runs around Loughborough. I canoed upstream for a 1/4 of a mile to just below Mordiford. Here the river splits in 2 with the fast flowing weir stream ahead (too fast to paddle against, I tried!). Entering from the right is the old lock cut with only a trickle of water entering through the remains of the old lock chamber. Therefore my only option to continue on was to portage my canoe up the lock cut until it deepened out just above the old weir (rapids). You can then paddle under the ancient stone Mordiford Bridge and on the left is a grassed area suitable for launching. It links to the main road B4224 via a permissive access path. There is a long lay-by on this road just west of the bridge so parking and launching from Mordiford is possible. I then returned via the weir stream which is now a long series of fast flowing rapids. Best to remove any skegs here, and keep away from many “sweepers” (low hanging branches) on the right hand bank. After the rapids its a leisurely paddle back downstream to Lucksall.
( Lucksall camping and caravan site is ideal for a club canoe trip as its very large and has all facilities)
Text and photos Robert Aspey
Photos by Dave Morris
SBC Paddlers 