Cotswold Canoe Hire
Hire a canoe, kayak or paddleboard for a self-guided outing on the Thames around Lechlade. The pace is yours, but river conditions and operator instructions matter; book the right craft and route for your group before arriving.
Opening hours
During school holidays, generally daily 9:30am–5pm; other hire and Thursday evening sessions depend on booking and weather.
Location: Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire
Lechlade is a good place to meet the Thames while it still feels like a country river. Cotswold Canoe Hire runs from Park End Wharf and offers canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, rowing boats and shorter pedalo sessions. For a modest first paddle, stay close to the Lechlade base; for a longer outing, choose a named route and make sure everyone in the group is comfortable with its locks, distance and return arrangements.
The Lechlade-to-Radcot trip is described as a three-to-four-hour paddle through St John’s, Buscot and Grafton locks, sharing the river with motor boats. The more adventurous Castle Eaton-to-Lechlade option is narrower and more rural, with overhanging trees. Those are different days on the water, not interchangeable products. Families can also ask about the operator’s coached sessions.
River level and weather can change plans, and the operator’s safety advice covers buoyancy aids and what to do at locks. Book with the actual route in mind and confirm the meeting point, collection arrangements and age suitability. The business lists daily 9:30am–5pm opening during school holidays, with other sessions by arrangement.