Friars Meadow, River Stour, Sudbury

A lovely stretch of river next to the large common area at Friars Meadow in Sudbury. Very popular among local SUP and kayak users as well as swimmers. A bit reedy near the edge but fine in the middle - there are a lot of swans but they keep well clear of the humans so just keep still as they pass and they'll just swim on by. A local rowing club meets there a few hours a week.

Park at the Kingfisher Leisure centre car park or the station long stay car park next to it, then take the footpath to the right to a small bridge. Cross the bridge and walk across the field on the other side. Any part of the river where the reeds have been cleared is accessible, but there is a jetty where I have placed the pin, and another about 300m down to the right.

There are two jetties where you can get in, you can touch the bottom about waist deep for an adult around these. You can also get in along the river anywhere you can get to the water! There is also a pillbox type building on the far bank where kids like to jump in.