In 1991 the then British Canoe Union, and local paddlers, purchased the land on the Dart to secure a location where paddlers could safely access and egress the river.
This short strip of woodland alongside Holne Weir continues to provide a popular access point for paddlers enjoying the 'Dart Loop'.
Maintenance and upkeep of the site is managed by a volunteer steering group made up of representatives of different user groups and also local people.
Donations towards the upkeep are sought annually from clubs and individuals to pay for essential work.
The site at Holne Bridge is accessible to those wanting to gain access to the river for paddling. We also welcome wild swimmers to enjoy the space responsibly. The Dart Angling Association owns the fishing rights.
Holne Weir is known for sea trout and therefore undue disturbance and noise should be avoided. All users are asked to respect the angling interests using the site and share the space. Any incidents should be reported via the PaddleUK incident reporting page linked here.
The following code of conduct applies to all users of the site:
- No bbqs or fires are allowed on our site
- No picnics or sunbathing and all litter must be taken home
- The pool must be left undisturbed an hour before dusk to respect angling interests
- On leaving the site, lock up and scramble the code
- Follow the safety information and signs around our site
- All equipment must be checked, cleaned and dried before use to stop the spread of invasive species.
- All users must agree to follow the Paddlers' Code. Visit here to read the code.
Access to the site is protected by combination lock. Please complete the form below to register your details and access the code for the combination lock. Note by registering you are agreeing to the code of conduct outlined above.
Register To Receive Lock Code
A great deal of work by volunteers has gone into maintaining the site for both people and nature. In recent years, willow planting along the bank has been undertaken to help alleviate erosion. Please take care not to damage any saplings.
Planting of native hedge species along the roadside has also been done, both to provide a screen from the road and also improve habitat. Please do not access the site, from the road, from anywhere other than through the main gate.
Paddle UK is committed to protecting the environment, particularly when it comes to tackling Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). As a paddler, you may come in contact with these harmful species when moving between different watercourses with your craft.
Because of this, you have a vital part to play in stopping the spread of damaging plant and animal species by following the Check, Clean, Dry Steps:
- CHECK Check your craft, equipment and clothing for living organisms. Remove anything you find and leave it at the site.
- CLEAN Clean everything thoroughly as soon as you can, paying attention to the inside of your craft and areas that are damp and hard to access. Use hot water if possible.
- DRY Drain water from every part of your craft and dry with a sponge or towel before leaving the site. Dry everything thoroughly for as long as possible. Some invasive plants and animals can survive for two weeks in damp conditions.