As the United Kingdrom slowly comes out of Covid-19, I ventured out on Saturday July 18 to the first of many Summer staycation events, to kayak on the River Nene in Oundle, Northamptonshire.

Nene Extreme Adventures is an outdoors activity business centre based at Oundle Wharf, Oundle. It is here we rented one single, and one double kayak for a three hour self tour, at a cost of £10 per person, per hour. Provided with life jackets, the staff set up your kayak, and assist you with launching from their pontoon.

Our party of five adults (two had their own stand up paddle boards) followed the river East, past some pretty viaducts, then headed down the river in a South East direction towards Ashton Lock.

Our three hour self-tour ended with a few drinks at the Tap and Kitchen, a waterside Restaurant and Bar at Oundle Wharf. This was our first visit to a public eating place since Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were lifted. The Tap and Kitchen have plentiful and well spaced outdoor seating where you can enjoy the local Nene Valley beers, and watch other kayakers and paddle boarders start and end their river adventures.

The kayak trip was scenic as we passed under viaducts, swans and their cygnets, and one lone sheep peering at us from under a bridge. We kayaked as far as the Ashton Lock where you cannot kayak any further unless you carry the kayaks over the bridge. This can easily be done, but we decided this was the perfect spot for lunch. Just be wary of the canal boats coming through the lock.

Renting kayaks from Nene Extreme Adventures is a fantastic staycation UK idea, and Oundle Wharf completes a great day out for both adults and children.