Description
Paddle • Camp • Reconnect with Nature
Escape the ordinary and join us for a weekend where canoeing meets bushcraft and wellness. Paddle through beautiful countryside along the River Great Ouse, wild camp in our private riverside woodland, and experience the perfect balance of adventure, learning and calm.
This is your chance to unplug, reconnect, and discover the joy of life outdoors, complete with fire-lighting, wild cooking, and our new wood-fired sauna tent and cold-water swim for the ultimate wellness experience.
Join our experienced instructors for a weekend blending canoeing, bushcraft and outdoor wellbeing in a relaxed, friendly environment.
What’s Included
• Professional guides and qualified coaches
• All paddling equipment (craft, paddles, buoyancy aids)
• Dry bag for personal kit
• Access to our private wild woodland campsite
• Bushcraft sessions – fire-lighting, tracking, shelter building
• Use of wood-fired sauna tent and optional cold-water dip
• Campfire cooking with evening meal, breakfast, and lunch provided
• Drinking water and cooking equipment
• Great company and plenty of laughs
Optional Extras
• Waterproofs or wetsuit hire
• Drysuit hire
• Tipi tent hire
• Back-support seats (for paddlers needing extra comfort)
Trip Itinerary
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Meet at Cardington Lock at 10:30 am for introductions, kit issue and a short paddle briefing. From here, we’ll set off on a gentle journey down the River Great Ouse, gliding past peaceful countryside, historic bridges and quiet meanders.
Arrive at our secluded woodland base, where we’ll set up camp and dive into the first bushcraft sessions – fire-lighting, shelter building, tracking and foraging.
As evening settles in, enjoy a hearty campfire meal before relaxing in the wood-fired sauna tent beneath the stars. For those keen, take a refreshing cold-water dip in the river – combining heat and cold for a natural wellness reset.
Day 2
Wake to the smell of coffee and breakfast cooked over the fire. After a relaxed morning bushcraft challenge or optional wild swim, we’ll break camp and paddle further downstream, spotting kingfishers, herons and otters along the way.
A shuttle vehicle will return the group to Cardington Lock, arriving back around 3:00 pm – ready to head home refreshed, re-energised, and a little more connected to the wild.
Please note: The itinerary may vary depending on river and weather conditions.
Who It’s For
Perfect for individuals, couples or small groups seeking a mindful outdoor adventure.
No prior experience required – just enthusiasm for nature, paddling and learning something new.
Whether you’re looking to improve your paddling, try bushcraft, or unwind with a sauna and cold-water wellness session, this weekend offers something for everyone.
Booking & Details
• Book online or email us for private group adventures.
• Bring: Tent or hammock, sleeping bag, cutlery, clothing for all weathers, and a packed lunch for Day 1.
• Meeting Point: Cardington Lock, Bedfordshire
• Finish Time: Approx. 3:00 pm on Day 2 (return via shuttle)
• Weather: Trips run in most conditions, with safety assessments for extreme weather.
Why Choose Canoe Trail
• Multi-award-winning, family-run business based in Bedfordshire
• Featured in Lonely Planet’s Top 52 Things to Do in the World
• Exclusive access to a private riverside woodland
• Combines canoeing, bushcraft and wellness in one immersive experience
• Frequent wildlife sightings – otters, kingfishers and herons
• Guided by friendly, qualified professionals who live and breathe the outdoors
Call to Adventure
Ready to swap screens for streams?
Join us on the Canoe & Camp Bushcraft Weekend – where adventure, relaxation and wellbeing come together.