Kent is one of England’s flattest counties, lying between London, the Thames Estuary and the North Sea. It’s a place to go for seaside days out or country walks…not white water rafting. Or is it? The Olympics has given Kent a world-class man-made rafting destination on its doorstep.
If you want to take a Kent white water rafting trip, head to the Lee Valley White Water Centre. It’s just a short hop around the M25 to Hertfordshire. There, you can ride the Olympic white water course in a raft. It might not be wild rafting, but it is a pretty good way to whet your appetite.
Once that appetite is whetted, it’s time to head out in search of some real rivers. For that, you need mountains, the nearest of which are in North Wales. The Snowdonia National Park is the place to head, with several good rafting sites.
The River Dee is a popular choice, with rapids up to class 4. You can travel white water through local villages, over boulders and down waterfalls. The stretch of water that runs into Bala Lake is especially exciting! The lower stretch of the river is good for beginners, with rapids of class 2-3. The River Vrynwy is a good choice for those looking for a challenging, technical ride. It’s possible to paddle for several hours at a time, with fast rapids and steep gorges to negotiate.
A Kent white water rafting trip is easier to arrange than you think! The opening of the Olympic centre means that it is easy to try out rafting. Once you’ve got the bug and honed your skills, you can head for wild water.
Is this open and if the teenagers want to come in December or jan would the water be heated water? I’m assuming this is open air?
Hi Caroline. Yes it is outdoors and no the water is not heated but you will wear a wetsuit which helps. There is more info about Lee Valley in this article: https://adventuresportsholidays.com/london-rafting-adventure-at-lee-valley-rafting-centre/