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Closed until 28 Mar 2025
Cotswold Canoe Hire
Cotswold Canoe Hire
5
Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 28, 2025
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About
We are an Independent Family run business with 30 Years experience in Kayak and Canoeing. We have a wide range of craft from Rowing Boats to Kayaks and Canoes both family friendly or individual. Being based right on the River Thames you can get straight on . We are happy to advise on trip suitability . We also have a Minibus and trailer to provide full logistics support (currently unavailable). Have a look at our website or Facebook page for full list of prices and availability.
Lechlade, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
204 reviews
Excellent
199
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
RosieC
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We chose a pedallo....a pink flamingo called Bingo! This was a really fun way to explore the beautiful upper reaches of the River Thames and we had the added bonus of seeing newly hatched moorhen chicks....little black bundles of fluff.
One of our group has mobility problems and the friendly person hiring out the boats was really good at helping him safely into the peddalo for a lovely river adventure.
We live nearby, and had visitors to entertain. This was a really good way to do it. We had lunch at the Riverside Pub before our river trip. Top tip: if you want tea and cake after your river trip, be aware that the adjacent Tea Chest closes at 4.00pm.
One of our group has mobility problems and the friendly person hiring out the boats was really good at helping him safely into the peddalo for a lovely river adventure.
We live nearby, and had visitors to entertain. This was a really good way to do it. We had lunch at the Riverside Pub before our river trip. Top tip: if you want tea and cake after your river trip, be aware that the adjacent Tea Chest closes at 4.00pm.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear you had fun with Bingo.
The Tea Chest does amazing tea and cake, so best to fill up before getting on the water.
Written 28 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa SW
5 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We spent a idyllic morning on the Thames in Canadian Canoes and Kayaks. We were really well looked after by the team at Cotswold Canoe Hire (when we booked the wrong date they moved it with ease and then went above and beyond to help us and our water-loving dog out on the day), the stretch of water we canoed on was beautiful and it was really great value for money. The whole experience was brilliant.
Written 4 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear you were really happy with the service and you enjoyed your time on the river.
We hope to see you all, especially your four beggar again!
Written 6 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
1402chrish
34 contributions
Aug 2020
We're a family of four and hired a pair of Canadian Kayaks for four hours. We had a fabulous time! The staff were super friendly, helpful and professional with very good Covid safety measures in place. The River Thames here is gentle and easy to paddle - including upstream on the way out. The route is really interesting too - not just straight and wide, but lots of twists and turns, with some narrower sections and never overly deep. Canoes and accessories in very good condition and we were supplied a dry bag to keep valuables safe, which was very handy. My only tip would be that, if you can face a 5 minute walk along the road, you'll save yourself a few quid on parking as the next one along is much cheaper (the Riverside car park nearest to the launch site is £12 for anything over 4 hours, which is quite steep). All round, a terrific family experience and we'll be back next summer.
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Chris for that great review highlighting what makes our experience different from the rest.
The upper stretch of the Thames is really wonderful and its hard to believe its the same river as in London and surrounding area.
Its good to hear our COVID safety measures are working and you and your family felt safe getting back on the water.
Look forward to seeing you again next year.
Written 8 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jason W
3 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
A fantastic trip arranged by a brilliant company. When we arrived, we were taken straight through to our Kayak, given our kit, supported into the Kayak (Covid securely) and we were in the river all within 5-10 minutes.
We were advised to head upstream, which took us past some lovely scenery, through a range of wide and tight sections of river, nine of which required any significant experience to navigate. Spotted a huge range of wildlife, including some wayward Cormorants.
We managed to travel about 5km upstream (just short of Hannington Wick) before turning around and heading back. We stopped at a cleaning in the bank beside a walking path for some lunch and then continued back. Completing the 10km trip, including a break, about 15 minutes short of the 4 hours.
Highly recommend the trip and Cotswold Canoe Hire for the helpful and friendly service. Looking forward to visiting again in the summer.
We were advised to head upstream, which took us past some lovely scenery, through a range of wide and tight sections of river, nine of which required any significant experience to navigate. Spotted a huge range of wildlife, including some wayward Cormorants.
We managed to travel about 5km upstream (just short of Hannington Wick) before turning around and heading back. We stopped at a cleaning in the bank beside a walking path for some lunch and then continued back. Completing the 10km trip, including a break, about 15 minutes short of the 4 hours.
Highly recommend the trip and Cotswold Canoe Hire for the helpful and friendly service. Looking forward to visiting again in the summer.
Written 24 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a great review Jason. Thank you.
The 4 hours works really well to enjoy the tranquility and wildlife further upstream on The Thames, along with some picnic time.
We hope to see you again soon. Please contact us direct for a welcome back discount.
Written 28 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stuart Campbell
Tandragee, UK8 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We had a great day here on Saturday-4 hours on a double kayak for just over £40 including all equipment and a dry bag which we thought was pretty generous compared to prices you see elsewhere. The paddle was easy and suitable for all abilities. It was a lot more interesting than the standard kayaking around a lake too. Very friendly staff and overall a very good day out.
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Stuart for the review highlighting what a great location we are.
Its good to hear you found it value for money especially in these strange times.
We hope to see you again next season.
Written 8 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Raphan S
1 contribution
Sept 2022
Fantastic experience, staff were friendly, advice and help excellent, equipment in good order, no fuss just great service.
We canoed Castle Eaton to Lechlade, tangled weeds, reeds, limboing under low boughs, narrow channels, shallows, awesome canoeing, beats the populated Henley / Marlow stretch of the Thames we've done previously, and no locks !
Six miles of tranquil, wildlife filled, fun and adventure. Saw more herons and kingfishers than I could count, and the odd hissing swan with signets. Brilliant, definitely coming again.
We canoed Castle Eaton to Lechlade, tangled weeds, reeds, limboing under low boughs, narrow channels, shallows, awesome canoeing, beats the populated Henley / Marlow stretch of the Thames we've done previously, and no locks !
Six miles of tranquil, wildlife filled, fun and adventure. Saw more herons and kingfishers than I could count, and the odd hissing swan with signets. Brilliant, definitely coming again.
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a wonderful review. Truely captures our Castle Eaton to Lechlade trip. We are so pleased to hear you had great service and paddle on the river with us.
We hope to see you gain, but cant promise Mr Hissy the Swan won't be there!
Written 5 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lauren d
Swindon, UK7 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Pay & pay session on a Wednesday was a fab idea! We hired a 3 person open canoe for myself, partner & 9 year old for a great first time experience! We were welcomed by a lovely women at reception who offered us our life jackets & got us set up in the canoe. Chatting through out & told us the time to be back. We had great fun gliding down the river, seeing the locals & checking out the lovely boats. When coming in to finish our experience another lovely women & her son greeted us with such positive energy, they were great! Chatting through out & letting us know what else is on offer. We throughly enjoyed our experience, our canoe was perfect for our family. We will be back for sure! Thanks guys.
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review for us.
Great to read you had super time with us on the river.
We hope to see you again.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Niall H
4 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
We were a party of 7. We hired 2 tandem kayaks an open Canadian and a single kayak. We were a mixed bunch of ages and experience. We had an afternoon session of 3 hrs and went upstream for 2 and back for 1 hour. A lovely nice summer's afternoon paddle.
The crew at Cotswold Canoe Hire are very friendly, helpful and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking of an outdoor activity either local or visiting the area.
Until the next time ....'happy paddling'
The crew at Cotswold Canoe Hire are very friendly, helpful and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking of an outdoor activity either local or visiting the area.
Until the next time ....'happy paddling'
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niall, Thanks for the great review.
We work hard t make sure everything is easy to get you on the water and make it as enjoyable as possible. Of course the location and river helps!
We hope to see you all again!
Written 18 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jack Holmes
1 contribution
Jun 2021
Had a great experience with Cotswold Canoe Hire. This part of the Thames is beautiful and there are lots of nice villages and pubs just off it. We did a one way canoe down to Radcot, mooring up near Kelmscott for a pub lunch and finishing off at Ye Old Swan in Radcot. Edith and her team were incredibly accommodating at late notice and picked up the canoes at Radcot so we didn't have to canoe back upstream. Would highly recommend!
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad we got you all sorted Jack at short notice and made your weekend away.
The upper stretch of the Thames really is wonderful.
We hope you will visit us again.
Written 12 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark P
Oxford, UK7 contributions
Aug 2021
We are local to the company so can say that using a Canadian Canoe on our local river is a superb thing to do. 3 hours is perfect for children, its not easy navigating the river in summer with the weeds and trees so the advice to look at the videos the night before is sound. Equipment is excellent too.
Our only niggle is the attitude of the young staff on our arrival. It was 9 am, they arrived to open up but no acknowledgement to those groups waiting at all was given. No Good Morning or we should be ready in a few minutes. Instead after five minutes a sign was put outside saying wait here and they disappeared inside again. It wasn't until one of the customers stuck their head in the door and asked if we should come in that we had action. Booking in was very systemized, it wasn't friendly.
So, a great day out but the young staff need to do a charm school session or at least be more enthusiastic to the customers.
Our only niggle is the attitude of the young staff on our arrival. It was 9 am, they arrived to open up but no acknowledgement to those groups waiting at all was given. No Good Morning or we should be ready in a few minutes. Instead after five minutes a sign was put outside saying wait here and they disappeared inside again. It wasn't until one of the customers stuck their head in the door and asked if we should come in that we had action. Booking in was very systemized, it wasn't friendly.
So, a great day out but the young staff need to do a charm school session or at least be more enthusiastic to the customers.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI Mark
Great to hear you found the session on the river enjoyable but sorry to hear the crew member on the day didn't act as their normal friendly self.
We pride ourself on our service and equipment as many reviews and past customers have commented so this is sad to read.
We hope that the next time you visit you will see the usual service.
Written 29 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beccy
Swindon, United Kingdom
Can me and my husband take our 6 & 8 year old on a Canadian canoe?
Written 7 May 2021
HI, Our Canadian Canoes have three seats. Children sit in the middle seat which is smaller. Because of this two small children can sit side by side. We would normally say up to Age 6/7.
Written 12 May 2021
Yes you can hire rowing boats, as for price I’m unsure as it depends on how long you hire them for, I’d recommend giving them a call as they are more than happy to answer an queries over the phone.
Written 15 August 2018
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