Saddles and Paddles

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Saddles & Paddles offers bike, canoe, kayak & SUP hire for all the family, from Exeter Quay. We are also a fully functioning bike shop for sales, accessories and repairs. Located on Exeter’s historic quayside, we are just a 5 minute walk from the city centre.

We have been approved by Visit England as a “Good to Go” tourism attraction, based on our thorough Covid prevention measures and risk assessments, so you can rest assured that we have taken all the recommended precautions for our customers.

The shop is easy to reach by foot, bike or by public transport. You can park nearby at the Cathedral & Quay car park or use Exeter’s Park & Ride services.

Cycle, canoe, kayak or SUP down the canal, with two pubs en route (Double Locks & Turf Locks).

Range of bikes (inc trailers, child seats & tag-alongs for families, as well as electric bikes) to explore Exeter and the Exe Estuary Trail – a traffic-free leisure route from Exeter to Exmouth & Dawlish.

Use our website to plan your outing, find out prices and to make a booking: http://www.sadpad.com
Try-before-you-buy service, to allow families to go for a test ride before buying bikes or equipment. Get a refund of the hire cost off the purchase price.

Open 7 days a week*, 9am - 6pm (bike hire 09.30am to 5.30pm and boat hire 10am to 5pm). All boat users must be able to swim 25m unaided. Booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment; no advance payment required with the exception of groups.* Closed on Wednesdays in winter from Nov to April.

Please see our Facebook page for our most recent updates and visit our website to learn more about our COVID secure measures to protect our visitors and staff http://www.sadpad.com/we-are-covid-secure.html Please note that whilst social distancing is in place, hire bookings must be booked in advance.

Follow us on Twitter : twitter.com/sadpadexeter and Instagram instagram.com/sadpadexeter
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/saddlesandpaddles

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Opening Times

All Year (1 Jan 2024 - 1 Jan 2025)

* Open 7 days a week*, 9am - 6pm (bike hire 09.30am to 5.30pm and boat hire 10am to 5pm). All boat users must be able to swim 25m unaided. Booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment; no advance payment required with the exception of groups.* Closed on Wednesdays in winter from Nov to April.

Facilities

Accessibility

Assistance Dogs
Designated parking provided for guests with disabilities - There are steps down into the business and is therefore not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs, however they will accommodate all customers as best they can (such as assisting on the doorstep)

Establishment Features

Dog Friendly - Dogs are welcome in the shop and in our canoes!
Toilets - There are public toilets on Exeter Quay just 40 metres from the shop.

Key Features

In town/city centre - We are surrounded by a wide range of independent businesses on Exeter Quay, including cafes, pubs and restaurants.

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Map & Directions

Map Link

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Road Directions

By bike or on foot: The quay is well signed from the city centre; from the High St or the Cathedral, head southwest down South St then use the crossing point to turn into Coombe St. This leads you through the subway to the Quay. By bus: Service G runs regularly from the city to the Quay. The Green Park & Ride bus stops on the other side of the river (Haven Rd), a short walk away. www.journeydevon.info

By train: Exeter St Davids (25mins) or Exeter St Thomas (10mins) are a pleasant walk away, following the river to the quay. From Exeter Central, you can walk or get the bus to us.

By car: Save time and money with Exeter’s quick & convenient Park & Ride services (see details in the bus section).

There is no parking directly on the Quay. Our two closest car parks are the Cathedral & Quay Car Park (Lower Coombe St, EX1 1DX) – directly above the quay, also convenient for the city centre or the Haven Banks Car Park (Michael Browning Way, EX2 8DP) on the other side of the river, which may be more convenient if travelling from the A38 or south of the river.

Disabled parking / Unloading: There are disabled parking bays at the bottom of Quay Hill. If necessary, you can drive right outside the shop to unload / collect people or bikes.

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TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

175 reviews

Excellent
154
Very Good
16
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
2

Recent Reviews:

RoPoPo74
Great service and good fun
25th May 2024
Really enjoyed this. 7 of us (family and friends) went for a paddle in a mixture of kayaks/canoes down the canal to Double Locks pub and back. The communication beforehand and on the day was fab... Read full review
Bobby C
Ridgeback Arcus 3
24th July 2024
Brand new cycle from the best cycle shop in the southwest of England, Harry to my right shop manager and chief mechanic James to my left. The shop did a great job transferring all my assessories and... Read full review
EFTurner
Trip Type:
Friends getaway
Great day out highly recommend
1st Sept 2024
Amazing day out with friends, picked up a large canoe and went with 2 friends to Double Locks and back. Staff were great, really accommodating and helpful. I'm an Exeter local but had never done this... Read full review