Big Severn Adventure offers
Love2Stay guests
River Severn Canoe Experience
A full day journey from Shrewsbury to Ironbridge down one of the most memorable sections of the River Severn.
Created in partnership with Love2Stay, this experience gives guests the opportunity to explore a carefully chosen stage of the larger Big Severn Adventure journey at their own pace, with transport, logistics and equipment all handled for you.
£85 per person · advance booking required
A proper day out on the river
This is not about rushing from A to B. It is about spending the day properly out on the river, travelling through changing scenery, relaxing into the pace of the water, and finishing beneath the famous Ironbridge.
Whether you are looking for a highlight activity during your stay, a memorable family day out, or simply a different way to experience Shropshire, this is one of the best ways to spend a day on the river.
Who this experience is for
- Couples
- Families with older children
- Friends
- First-time paddlers
- Guests looking for a relaxed outdoor day
The journey
Shrewsbury to Ironbridge
Your day begins with a morning transfer from Love2Stay to the launch point in Shrewsbury.
After a full introduction, safety briefing and route overview, you set off downstream on a relaxed self-guided journey towards Ironbridge.
The route was chosen because it gives a real sense of how the River Severn changes as you travel downstream.
Morning transfer from Love2Stay to the launch point in Shrewsbury.
Travel downstream at your own pace with time for breaks, lunch and riverside stops.
The day finishes in Ironbridge, where return transport is arranged back to Love2Stay.
What the day feels like
You begin by leaving Shrewsbury and its riverside suburbs behind. The river loops out and back in at first before finally releasing you into nature on a southwards path and towards one of the most iconic sections of the Severn.
There is plenty of time to stop, take breaks, enjoy lunch along the riverbank, and simply enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
Once you leave the town behind, the river quickly begins to feel far more remote and immersive.
Wildlife and quiet water
It is common to spot kingfishers, herons, cormorants and birds of prey along the route, while otters, mink and deer are all occasionally seen from the water as well.
A relaxed, self-guided day
The logistics are handled for you so you can simply settle into the rhythm of the river and enjoy the journey.
More than just a paddle
Built around the journey itself
The River Severn Canoe Experience has been built around the journey itself.
The day is designed to feel relaxed and unhurried from start to finish.
You are not tied to a guided group, strict timetable or rushed schedule.
The experience draws heavily from the larger Big Severn Adventure journeys, where the journey itself is just as important as the paddling.
What is included
Equipment
- Canoe and paddling equipment
- Buoyancy aids
- Waterproof barrel for personal items
Logistics
- Morning transfer from Love2Stay
- Return transport from Ironbridge
- Flexible self-guided experience
Support
- Safety briefing and route overview
- Full introduction before departure
- Approachable route for first-time paddlers
Flexible options
A full route, with room to adjust
The standard route follows the full Shrewsbury to Ironbridge journey.
For guests wanting a shorter and more relaxed day on the water, alternative launch options may sometimes be available.
Guests wishing to stay longer in Ironbridge after the trip may also be able to arrange a later return transfer in advance.
Part of the bigger river journey
The River Severn Canoe Experience is inspired by the larger multi-day Big Severn Adventure journeys which travel much further along the river.
For many guests, the day becomes the moment they begin to understand what makes travelling the River Severn so special.
No previous canoeing experience is needed
A full briefing is provided before departure and the route has been chosen to create an enjoyable and approachable day on the water.
Booking
Love2Stay Guest Experience
£85 per person
Bookings are available on selected dates through the summer season.
Guests staying at Love2Stay can reserve spaces in advance before arriving on site. Advance booking is required due to limited days & spaces.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your River Severn Canoe Experience.
Do I need previous canoeing experience?
No prior canoeing experience is needed. Most guests are complete beginners. It helps if one person in your pair has done a little paddling before, but it is not essential.
We host your launch with a full safety and paddle briefing before you head off onto the river.
How long is the experience?
This is a full-day river experience. Most groups spend around 6–8 hours on the water.
We do not work to a fixed finish time and prefer to keep the day flexible so you can enjoy the journey at your own pace.
Collection from Love2Stay is normally around 9am, with return transport usually around 6pm depending on conditions and group pace.
What should I bring with me?
Dress for the weather. On British summer days, a rain jacket, hat and sun cream are usually enough to cover most eventualities. You will also have a dry barrel to store your belongings in during the day.
You should bring drinking water and a lunch. There are plenty of lovely riverside spots to stop and relax along the route.
Snacks are always a welcome reward during the day as well.
Is the experience suitable for children?
Yes. The minimum age is 12 years old.
Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and are treated as a full participant for equipment, transport and safety purposes.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We paddle in most weather conditions, provided it is safe to do so.
River levels are usually more important than rain itself. If conditions become unsafe due to weather or river levels, we will contact you as early as possible to discuss options.
Will there be a guide on the water?
No. This is a hosted self-guided canoe experience.
You will receive a full briefing, route guide and safety information before departure, and we track all boats throughout the day. The route itself is then paddled independently at your own pace.
Where do we meet and what happens with transport?
Collection is from the front barrier at Love2Stay at 9am on the morning of your experience.
We transport you to the river launch point and collect you again at the end of the journey before returning you to Love2Stay.
What if we fall in?
It is one of the most common worries, but genuine capsizes are rare.
We use stable open canoes and keep a sensible loading plan so the boats sit low and steady in the water.
If a capsize does happen, you fall out beside the canoe rather than underneath it. Your buoyancy aid keeps you afloat while you take a breath, gather yourself and move to the bank.
Your equipment is packed into dry barrels and we explain exactly what to do during the safety briefing so that, if the worst does happen, it feels more like a simple drill than a drama.
Online bookings close at 6 pm the day before your trip.
Travelling as a larger group?
If you have 4 or more participants, get in touch and we may be able to arrange a bespoke canoe experience during your stay at Love2Stay.
Questions?
If you have any questions before booking, please get in touch.
WhatsApp: 07977 925406
Email: info@bigsevernadventure.co.uk
Phone: 01743 624648