Canoeing

Canoeing was based either at the Leander or down at the Sump. Memory is that it wasn't too well organised or supervised - essentially get out on the water, with life jackets, and paddle for an hour or two. It made an excellent alternative to the boredom of cricket or the misery of cross-country.

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21.3 miles - Walton Bridge (B 5016)
In 1834 a toll bridge J replaced the ferry here.. In 1900 it was made free L. A Bailey bridge replaced it in 1947, and the present structure was built in 1974. In 1322 Edward II crossed the Trent here on his way to outflank the Earl of Lancaster at the battle of Burton Bridge.
22.8 miles - Drakelow power station inlet right.
23.1 miles - Footbridge
23.4 miles - Branston left
23.5 miles - Toad hole left
23.8 miles - Island. Pass left
24 miles - Drakelow power station outlet right
24.7 miles - Railway bridge
25.5 miles - Ferry bridge 1889
This suspension foot bridge replaced a 14th century ferry. It continues as a 1/4 mile viaduct over the floodplain between Stapenhill and Burton.
25.6 miles - St Peter’s Bridge 1985 A5189
The limit of the Upper Trent Navigation. This part of the river navigation fell into disuse with the opening of the Trent and Mersey Canal in 1777
For the next three miles the river breaks into a series of streams which criss-cross the floodplain.
The first side stream leaves the river left immediately after St Peter’s bridge. It is canoeable and rejoins the left hand channel above Burton Bridge forming Andressy island. Andressy footbridge 1884 which joins Andressy island to the town was built by the Allsopps of Allsopp's brewery. St Modwen's church (1720) on the left bank was built on the site of Burton Abbey, where bulk brewing started here.

26.3 miles - River divides round large island.

Follow either channel. Both have weirs on them but the portage past the left channel weir at Burton bridge was much easier in 2004 than that past the right channel weir at Burton Flour Mill. Things may change when the mill has been renovated. I'll be updating.

Left channel
26.3 miles Side stream from St Peter’s bridge joins left.
26.5 miles - Diagonal weir guards left channel
It extends from the left bank through Burton bridge to a building, which was once one of Burton’s early breweries.
Remain right to rejoin right channel just beyond the bridge. Or portage left. Land just above weir by red lifebelt holder and launch 10 yards below the weir over low wall. It is not possible to portage this weir at the right end after passing through the bridge.
26.5 miles - Burton Bridge
Shallows below
27 miles - Footbridge
27.3 miles - Pipe bridge
27.6 miles - new footbridge
28.1 miles - Rejoin other channel

Right channel
26.5 miles - The 32 arch Burton Bridge 1964.
Site of an assault on Burton in 1643, for which King Charles knighted Thomas Tydesley. It carried trams until 1930.
27.3 miles - Footbridge
Followed immediately by weir left. Portage either end.
This is tough in summer. Dense reeds make landing on the right (mill) end of the weir difficult, and nettles and brambles obstruct the left route. Anyway this is what you do.

Either land left in the trees just above the weir alongside some old brick foundations. Portage through trees and launch down steep bank below weir. Or paddle between the weir and The Sump pub right, to land on the left of the old mill stream just before the disused Burton Flour Mill (built in 1714, being renovated in 2004). Portage in front of the mill and launch down steep bank 20 yards beyond the mill.
27.5 miles - Pipe crosses river.
28.1 miles - Other channel rejoins left.