UK River Expeditions

The beautiful River Wye (Welsh: Afon Gwy) is the fifth longest river in the UK and for part of its length forms a section of the border between England and Wales. It is an important conservation and recreational waterway with its source starting in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon. It flows through or past several towns and villages including Rhayader, Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Symonds Yat, Monmouth and Tintern, meeting the Severn Estuary just below Chepstow.

The Wye itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the most important rivers in the UK for nature conservation. The Wye is a popular river with canoeists due to the relatively slow flowing water making it ideal for novices, although the Symonds Yat Rapids are more challenging, albeit rather short in length.

Fact file: Length, 185 miles (297kms) from source to sea. Grade 1/2 between Glasbury to Chepstow.

Our Trips: We can run Canoe or Kayak Touring Expeditions along the Wye from Builth Wells to Tintern, particularly scenic touring trips for adults and simply a first class touring river for any DofE Award group. This is a beautiful touring river and we can't praise its scenic beauty enough.

The River Severn (Welsh: Afon Hafren) is the longest river in Great Britain and is the greatest river in terms of 'water flow' in England and Wales. It too (along with the Wye) raises in Plynlimon near Llanidloes, Powys. It then flows through Shropshire, Worcester, Gloucestershire to enter the sea in the vast estuary that bears its name, near Chepstow. On its long journey the Severn passes through Newtown, Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Ironbridge, Bridgenorth, Bewdley, Stourport, Worcester, Tewksbury and Gloucester.

Fact file:Length,220 miles (354 kms) from source to sea. Grade 1/2 with one short section of Grade 3 just below Ironbridge. There are also weirs and locks.

Our Trips: We can run Canoe or Kayak Touring Expeditions along the Severn from Abermule (near Welshpool) to Tewksbury. This is a classic touring river that passes through the historic border counties of England and Wales. Due to the volume of the Severn this is a particularly reliable summer touring river for DofE Award groups.

The River Thames is the second longest river in the UK and the longest river entirely in England. It rises at Thames Head in Gloucester and flows into the North Sea at the Thames Estuary. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river also flows through several other towns and cities, including Oxford, Reading and Windsor, before reaching London.

The Thames has a special historic significance as it flows through London where the river is tidal with a rise and fall of 7metres (23ft). The catchment area of the Thames covers a large part of South Eastern and Western England and the river is fed by over 20 tributaries. The river contains over 80 islands, and having both seawater and freshwater stretches, it supports a variety of wildlife.

Fact fileLength,215 miles (346 kms) from source to sea. Grade 1 with weirs and locks.

Our Trips: We can run Canoe or Kayak Touring Expeditions along the Thames from Lechlade to Windsor. The Thames is very underrated but we assure you it is a beautiful and historic touring river that passes through the heartland of the home counties. Your journey will take you past beautifully kept locks, through Oxford, Henley, past Windsor Castle and much, much more. This is a great touring river for the tourist, the adult recreational group or the youth group alike.