• Boating is not recommended for non-swimmers. Please use boats responsibly

• Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult

• Week-day customers may find boat mooring unattended upon their return. It could also occur at the weekend. If this is likely to cause a problem please discuss with a cashier/boatman. If you have a mobile phone and are in difficulty please ring – the number is 01206 242521

• The stability and manoeuvrability of boats is dependent on weight distribution. DO NOT HAVE ALL YOUR HEAVY PASSENGERS UP ONE END OR TO ONE SIDE. If you wish to change positions, do it in shallow water or near the bank.

• The depth of the river can change rapidly from inches to very deep water. It is advisable therefore than children and non swimmers bring life jackets or some form of buoyancy aid.

• There is a small weir on the opposite bank to Mill Race prior to the first bend (Chappel Direction) The river board have placed a narrow board across the bottom but we would advise customers to keep away from it.

• The River Colne is navigable from mill race to the outskirts of Chappel. It is very peaceful and an area of natural beauty. Upstream you could find yourself completely alone and if you had an difficulties we may not realise for several hours as it is not unusual for our boats to be hired for 3 hours. Please think about this if you have a health problem. Leave a mobile number if this is the case.

• Wildlife on the River – Water rats and Voles, dragonflies and various water insects, mallards, coots, moorhens, occasional divers, kingfishers if you are lucky, reed warblers and swans. The swans are used to people in boats but please be quiet when passing them and allow space for them.  Cattle and sheep graze the meadows bordering the river.

• Trees & River Plants – The river is skirted on both sides by trees and are various ages. Some overhang the river quite considerably and you will have to crouch down to avoid the lower branches. We cannot guarantee that all the branches of the older trees are firmly attached, so beware of boating on windy days. The river vegetation is maintained by the River Authority, not by Mill Race. Later in the year water plants may make rowing awkward. We report excess water plants to the River Authority, but are not allowed to remove them ourselves.

Bon Voyage!