Eastern Cleddau
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INCIDENT REPORT |
Nearby Paddling: The Bitches, Nyfer, Gwaun, Eastern and Western Cleddau and Pembroke River
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Map: |
158 Tenby and surrounding area |
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Grade: |
II |
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Length: |
20 km |
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Access: |
A478 Tenby to Cardigan road |
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Notes: |
The weir at Canasten is dangerous in flood. Trees and occasional low wires. |
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Quality: |
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The rolling hills and valleys overlooked by the Preseli Range are some of the most beautiful in Wales. Both Cleddau are superb touring rivers. The wildlife is outstanding and the estuaries breathtaking. The river is best done in the week or so after floods have dropped.
Llangwm Ford to Landshipping
20 km grade II
Turning off the A40(T) (Carmarthen to Haverfordwest) on the A478 Cardigan road, the village of Llandissilo is reached. The third turning off left leads down to the ford at Llangwm where access may be had GR106224. The gauge at the bridge is at one and a half to two foot at a near perfect level.
The river tinkles along at around grade II, with the occasional small drop and wave. A few of the bridges have wires slung from them so keep the eyes peeled. Just after the railway bridge, the Afon Syfynwy enters from the right to swell proceedings.
Llawhaden is a convenient place to stop for lunch or to shorten the trip if desired. There is a beautiful church and remains of a castle here for the more cultured of paddlers. Just below the main Canasten bridge is Canasten pumping station and weir. Although easy, this can produce a nasty stopper in flood. Both portage routes are slightly tricky so take your choice. A few boulder shoots take the paddler to the Black Pool Mill. The river becomes tidal and visions of Colditz spring to mind as you sit dwarfed by the austere disused mill. Black Pool Mill is aptly named as you gaze into the swirls, trying to penetrate its mysterious depths.
It is well worth avoiding low tide as the estuary is shallow over the next kilometre but it is difficult to find more flourishing wildlife than on the journey to Landshipping. If the Lord of the Manor, or whoever he is, isn’t blasting willy nilly with his shotgun, then you’ll never beat the tranquillity of drifting into the setting sun and the slipway just below the Stanley Arms pub, GR012117 - wonderful!
The Tidal Cleddau (Eastern)
Tidal distance 7.5 km
Canaston GR066151 to Picton Point GR003117.
The Cleddau combines with others to form the Daugleddau Estuary below Picton Point. Limited access is available at Canaston Bridge and more difficult access, particularly at low tide, is possible at Picton Point. The slip at Landshipping Quay, and the one at Black Tar, Llangwm, can be used by canoes.