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River Adur

The River Adur is tidal inland to a point beyond Henfield and has a right of navigation from the estuary to Shermanbury.

Map showing the navigable River Adur

Facts & Stats

14.4 miles

(23.2km)

The length of the River Adur that is navigable.

0 locks

Previously…

There had been two locks connecting the Baybridge Canal to the Adur however these are now derelict.

From Henfield to Shermanbury

The Baybridge Canal connected the western branch of the River Adur at Bines Bridge through two locks to West Grinstead but is now derelict. There were also locks on the eastern branch that enabled navigation beyond Henfield. The river cannot be navigated at low tide and care must be taken at other times because of the strong tidal flow. 

The former Southwick Canal now forms part of Shoreham Harbour.

 

[The photo shows a rural section of the River Adur  –  by Roy Sutton]

 

Shoreham Slipway

IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch has long supported plans of Shoreham Slipway Group to build a slipway for trailable boats into the River Adur at Shoreham, but these efforts have been repeatedly frustrated by the Environment Agency and private developers in the area.

 

[The photo shows the River Adur in Shoreham  –  by Alan Markham]

Waterway notes

Maximum boat sizes

(At high water spring tides to the confluence of the eastern and western branches)

  • Height: 5′ 6″ (1.7 metres)
  • Draught: 3′ (0.9 metres)

Navigation Authority

Shoreham Port Authority (lower river).

The Environment Agency effectively controls the upper river.

Branch

Kent and East Sussex

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