Paddle, Explore, Unwind

Canoe the Wye with Wye Valley Canoes

Canoe Hire on the River Wye

Discover the beauty of the River Wye with canoe trips to suit every adventurer. Choose a relaxed half-day paddle, a full-day journey through stunning scenery, or a multi-day escape with riverside camping. Perfect for families, friends, and groups looking to explore one of Britain’s most picturesque waterways.

canoe hire on the river wye?

Wye Valley Canoes, est. 1968, are specialists in canoe hire and kayak hire on the River Wye. We were one of the first companies to launch boats on the River Wye, and each year we help new generations of paddlers get away from it all for a couple of hours or a couple of days on one of the UK’s most-loved stretches of water.

Based in Glasbury, just outside Hay-on-Wye, we offer Half Day and Full Day canoe trips as well as tailor-made Multiple Day canoeing expeditions.

Whether you are a complete novice looking for a fun, family day out, or an experienced paddler looking to take on the full 100 miles of the River Wye, our experienced team will get you set up and on the water and pick you up at the other end, so all you have to worry about is who’s in charge of steering the boat.

River Wye Interactive Map

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1/2 Day Canoe Hire – Glasbury to Hay-on-Wye

Discover the beauty of the River Wye on our popular half-day canoeing trip. Experience thrilling twists, gentle rapids, and enchanting wildlife as you paddle along. Our journey starts at the Wye Valley Canoes Centre, in the picturesque village of Glasbury. Starting from our private launch you get to explore the most beautiful section of the upper Wye, ending in the renowned town of books Hay-on-Wye. Prepare for a refreshing adventure that will leave you with lasting memories.

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1 Day Trip – Glasbury to Whitney-on-Wye

Embark on a captivating full-day canoeing adventure along the majestic River Wye. Starting at our private launch from the Wye Valley Canoe centre in Glasbury, you’ll navigate through the famous town of books, Hay-on-Wye. Enjoy a delightful lunch break before continuing your journey into the English countryside, concluding at Whitney-on-Wye. Rest and rejuvenate at a charming riverside pub, as we arrange your comfortable return. Immerse yourself in nature, bask in the sun, and let us take care of the rest.

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2 Day Trip – Glasbury to Preston-on-Wye

Day 1

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Embark on a day 1 of your canoeing adventure along the majestic River Wye. Starting at our private launch from the Wye Valley Canoe centre in Glasbury, you’ll navigate through the famous town of books, Hay-on-Wye. Enjoy a delightful lunch break before continuing your journey into the English countryside, concluding at Whitney-on-Wye. Rest and rejuvenate at the charming riverside pub, The Boat Inn or Locksters Pool is perfect setting for a wild camping experience.

Day 2

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Day 2 begins in Whitney-on-Wye, immersing you deeper into enchanting Herefordshire countryside, surrounded by lush orchards. Paddle onward to the charming Bredwardine, a perfect summer spot with a tranquil swimming spot, and conclude your voyage in idyllic Preston-on-Wye at Byecross Farm Campsite. We will arrange your collection and return to your cars in Glasbury.

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3 Day Canoe Hire – Glasbury to Hereford

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

On the third day of your adventure, prepare to conquer the 11-mile stretch leading you into the heart of historic Hereford city. The pace of the river slows down, providing you with ample time to savour the picturesque surroundings. At the Rowing Club, our dedicated team will ensure a comfortable return to your starting point in Glasbury.

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4 Day Trip – Glasbury to Hoarwithy

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

On the third day of your adventure, prepare to conquer the 11-mile stretch leading you into the heart of historic Hereford city. The pace of the river slows down, providing you with ample time to savour the picturesque surroundings. Finish at the edge of Hereford City centre, setting up camp at Hereford Rowing Club.

Day 4

Your final day would take you 16 miles downstream from Hereford to Hoarwithy. Pass by the small village of Holme Lacey, well know for its abundance of cider-apple and perry-pear trees. Your trip will conclude at at Tresseck Campsite where we will pickup and return you to your start point in Glasbury.

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5 Day Trip – Glasbury to Ross-on-Wye

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

On the third day of your adventure, prepare to conquer the 11-mile stretch leading you into the heart of historic Hereford city. The pace of the river slows down, providing you with ample time to savour the picturesque surroundings. Finish at the edge of Hereford City centre, setting up camp at Hereford Rowing Club.

Day 4

Fullday 16 miles downstream from Hereford to Hoarwithy. Pass by the small village of Holme Lacey, well know for its abundance of cider-apple and perry-pear trees. Your trip will conclude at at Tresseck Campsite.

Day 5

An 11 mile paddle starting at Hoarwithy, a village known for the beautiful St Catherine Church, and finishing at The Hope & Anchor in Ross-on-Wye.

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Wye Valley Bunkhouse Guests Receive 10% Off Canoe Hire

Schools

Canoe Experiences for Schools

No two schools are the same, and neither are their students. That's why we offer a diverse range of canoeing adventures that can be tailored to suit different age groups and abilities.

Safety First

We understand that safety is the foremost concern for schools planning outdoor activities. Rest assured, Wye Valley Canoes is an AALA licensed company, ensuring the highest safety standards. Our experienced and knowledgeable guides are well-equipped with the highest of qualifications to lead students through an enjoyable and secure journey, leaving no room for worries.

Integrating Outdoor Education with the Curriculum

The Wye Valley offers a treasure trove of educational opportunities that seamlessly integrate with various subjects in your school’s curriculum. Imagine a geography lesson brought to life as students observe the river’s meandering course, learning moments that leave a lasting impact on students and reinforce classroom teachings.

Tailor-Made Experiences

We understand that each school has unique objectives and learning outcomes. That’s why we are open to customising our adventures to suit your specific requirements. Whether it’s aligning the trip with your curriculum or focusing on team-building and leadership skills, we are here to collaborate with your educators and create a bespoke experience for your students.

Download our School Brochure

Customer Reviews

At Wye Valley Canoes, we take great pride in being a small, family-run business dedicated to providing exceptional experiences. Our commitment to going the extra mile for our customers shines through in our reviews, where we proudly hold a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. We're thrilled to see that our dedication to service and the beautiful Wye Valley have left our customers with unforgettable memories. We invite you to discover the magic of the river with us and become a part of our ever-growing family of happy adventurers.

Martin Erhardt

Fantastic 35 mile (multi-day) paddle to Hereford at the beginning of June 2026. Impressed by the high quality of Josh's equipment. Keep in mind that the largest dry bags (big enough to hold duffel bags) are probably fine for keeping out rain, but not completely water-tight if they end up in the river. Pre-trip communication and instructions were excellent, as was arranging pickup on the last day. We were fortunate that the river was relatively high, though there were still a few spots where we needed to walk the canoe due to shallow water. This section of the Wye has a lot of character -- be ready for calm stretches of easy paddling, but also twists and turns, swift current, fun rapids, and more than a few sub-surface obstructions (rocks, tree roots & limbs), so stay alert. Even an apparently gently flowing river is much stronger than mere humans. When the wind gets up, steering can get difficult, so make sure both paddlers know their strokes and can work together to stay on course. Prior canoe experience is recommended. We averaged 3.5 miles/hour. Much of this stretch of river is relatively shallow, so recovery is fairly straightforward in the event of swamping or capsizing. It's also very rural -- we saw no other boaters until we got to Hereford, and few people on land either. Note that boat landings along the way are often small and difficult to paddle back to if missed, so pay attention to the map and prepare to land well in advance. The landing at the Weir Garden National Trust site is small and on the outside of a bend in the river with swift water, before you get to the Garden itself. It's essentially a crevice in the left bank at the bottom of a stairway between the river and the garden. It's a challenging place to land, and more challenging still to stay landed in high water, so if you attempt it, position the canoe well in advance, have a plan to quickly secure the canoe to shore, and be prepared to get wet. All told, an excellent trip and I highly recommend Wye Valley Canoes.

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Jen Carlyle

Lovely afternoon paddling! A beautiful stretch of the river, friendly staff and the convenience of being driven back to the start point. Would recommend l!

Henrica Österman

Really good and useful information in advance. Due to heavy rain, during the previous days, we couldn’t paddle on the Wye River. We we’re given the option to re-schedule or paddle down a beautiful canal, some miles away, which we fortunately did. We had a marvellous time on the canal.

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Canoe the Wye with Wye Valley Canoes

Canoe Hire on the River Wye