A river runs through Langport – and now a revitalizing waterside project has turned this once-quiet town into a bustling day-trip hotspot. A new documentary showcases how decades of decline gave way to a vibrant revival that brings visitors, boosts local businesses, and rekindles civic pride.
The short film chronicles the Langport River Project, featuring insights from former council leader Val Saunders and Ray Alexander of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA). This partnership opened up 7.6 miles of navigable waterways for trail boats and paddle craft between Bow Bridge and Huish Bridge, centered around Cocklemoor meadow.
Since the project’s completion five years ago, the area has attracted approximately 250,000 visitors annually, sparking the growth of new cafés, shops, and services. Val Saunders notes, “Langport has blossomed into a café culture hub, with vibrant high streets and a renewed sense of community pride.”
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Led by Langport Town Council and the IWA, the project emphasized enhancing the visitor experience over large-scale engineering. Improvements include restored pathways, pontoons, canoe steps, accessible fishing platforms, picnic areas, seating, and informative signage at Cocklemoor. Huish Bridge boasts a renewed slipway, community space, and a new car park. Bow Bridge features a cycle hire service, while a rowing club operates from Huish Bridge.
Sustainability is a key theme, with solar-powered lighting, recycled plastic furniture, e-bike charging stations, outdoor exercise equipment, willow bird hides, and a biodiversity monitoring program integrated throughout the area. Langport Town Council acquired both Cocklemoor and Huish Bridge slipway from the Environment Agency to facilitate the scheme. Funding of nearly £300,000 was sourced from European grants, local authorities, and the Canoe Foundation.
Local filmmaker Gordon McKerrow produced the documentary, which premiered on September 16 as a tribute to the volunteers whose dedication brought the project to life. Ray Alexander praised the initiative: “Langport’s story proves that even modest projects can profoundly enhance an area’s waterways and surrounding environment.”
Today, the Upper River Parrett offers opportunities for walking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, cycling, and boating. The community-owned boat, The Duchess of Cocklemoor, provides pre-booked volunteer-led trips. Plans are underway to expand walking paths, cycle routes, parking facilities, and to secure a permanent mooring for the boat. Town clerk Gerard Tucker expressed gratitude to the IWA and highlighted community hopes for easier river access: “We look forward to a mooring for The Duchess of Cocklemoor to welcome even more visitors to enjoy Langport’s river.”
The navigable waterway network now spans from Oath Lock sluice gates upstream to Thorney Mills half lock, also encompassing sections of the River Yeo and River Isle—with no major dredging or lock repairs needed.