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Canoeing from Glasbury to Chepstow - A personal itinerary
The river Wye, on the England/Wales border, is one of the least spoiled large rivers in the United Kingdom.
In the 17th century an Act of Parliament removed riparian owners rights and confirmed it as a "free and open" navigation up to Hay and it became an important waterway in the early industrial era. Weirs of various degrees of permanence were built to allow large barges to pass and the river must have been fairly polluted. However with the development of canals and railways the commercial traffic disappeared and the river naturally cleansed itself. Over the last century fishermen have pushed to reduce pollution, followed more recently by a new constituency, canoeists. The following is a guide to finding camp sites and access for launching along the main canoeing stretch from Glasbury to Chepstow. Compiled from various sources and a river trip in August 2001.
It seemed pretty clean when I first canoed it as a child in about 1970, and was still so when I last did so in August 2001. If anything the smell from the sewage farm below Hereford was less than usual, but the river was high, so it may not have been a fair test. I will be reporting regularly on coliform counts and levels of particulates in future iGreen issues. I predict that with increasing numbers of canoeists caring about the river, it will get steadily even better.
From here to Hay access is disputed but the current informal agreement is for canoeing between 10 am and 4pm, leaving the morning and evening for the fishermen. The normal launching point is on the left bank just above the bridge. A fee of 50p per canoe is payable to the post office. At present, summer 2001, this access point is closed due to foot and mouth but Wye valley canoes on the right bank just below the bridge are friendly have an easy launch site and did not charge us. Camp site: Mr G. H. Thomas. Brooklyn. Glasbury. Tel 01497 847673.
Super camp site on the right bank mid-way between Glasbury and Hay. Look out for a fallen tree marking the landing spot, which is by a tiny stream in the middle of a wood and otherwise easily missed. Tel. 01497 847371
Good public access on right bank 50 yards below the bridge. The campsite has no river access but is about 300 yds from the left bank below the bridge. Mr & Mrs Davies. Tel 01497 820780
Land a few yards before the bridge on the left. £1 per canoe. Also camping. Mr Huxtable. Tel 01497 831669
¼ mile downstream of toll bridge. Landing and informal camping. Tel. 01497 831223 No charge so long as you patronise the pub.
The first sharp left hand bend below Whitney. This camp site on the right bank is normally open all year, but now (Summer 2001) closed for foot and mouth. Mrs S. Mason. Tel 01497 831373
Camp site normally open all year but now closed for foot and mouth. Mr D. Price. The Weston, Bredwardine. Tel 01981 500396
Launching/landing point below bridge on left but ask permission first from Prue Cartwright 01981 500229
Land on right bank as you round the bend towards Monnington falls. Look out for a posh house and a STRICTLY PRIVATE sign. Byecross is the next stretch of land. As soon as you see the Monnington falls island in front of you, land right. The campsite is located in an orchard so it is open despite foot and mouth. Tap only. Mr T. Dale. Byecross Farm. Tel 01981 500284
Land left to inspect
Half a mile below the falls on the right bank. Campsite temporarily closed for foot and mouth. Mr J. Price, New Court Farm. Tel 01981 500349. Pub.
NOTE Unless you are prepared to camp on an island or to use the Hereford Racecourse site, which is well back from the river, the next campsite is 20 miles downstream at Holme Lacey.
Free landing and launching on left bank 200yds below pumping station. No permission required but narrow road with no parking space.
Land on right below the old road bridge. This is a public park with plenty of pay and display car parks. No permission required to land or launch but the nearest camping is at Hereford Race Course two miles from the river on the other side of town. Open April to September. Tel 01432 272634
Good landing point in the small orchard 100 yards below the bridge on left bank. It is for those using the camp-site, but the owners are very friendly so long as you ask nicely. Lucksall Caravan site has camping and all the showers, shops etc., anyone could want. They even do a special deal for canoeists. Open Easter to October. Tel 01432 870213
Normally there are two campsites here. However Mrs Roberts at Tresseck farm (Tel 01432 840235) who is normally open all year is closed (Sept 2001) because of foot and mouth restrictions. There are two alternatives. Either try Mr Jenkins 400 yds below the bridge on the left but phone first 01432 840223. Or land on the right immediately below the bridge. It’s rather steep. Walk ¼ mile into Hoarwithy and ask at the pub. At present they are delighted to let you camp for nothing so long as you drink their beer!
Canoe centre with access on left bank just above rapid. Looks like you should be able to camp but I’ve never tried.
The main landing point is on the left bank below the Hope and Anchor pub but this is a public park and you can’t camp there. There is a campsite ¼ mile upstream from the new road bridge on the right bank. Mr and Mrs Brewer. Open April to October. Tel 01989 563900. I’m not sure about access from the river. It may be closed for foot and mouth. You can also usually camp at the rowing club ¼ mile below the new road bridge on the left bank but do ask first. They’ll make a small charge if they remember what it is! The final option in Ross is to land on the right bank at the pub just below the old Wilton bridge. The pub will let you camp on their lawn for free if you are a patron. If you find that a bit exposed and ask nicely the hotel next door will sometimes let you camp on their more secluded grass.
Excellent Pick-up / Drop-off point and picnic site ¼ mile below bridge on left bank. Don’t try landing at the bridge. W.C. Pub. Honesty box.
Pick-up / Drop-off point, picnic site and car park on left bank just above the rapids. W.C. Pub. Honesty box.
Camp site/Youth Hostel. March to October. Tel 01594 86030. Limited facilities for camping and relatively expensive. In my experience not terribly friendly to non-members, but perhaps I was unlucky.
Pick-up/Drop-off point (fee). Pub. W.C. Camp/Caravan Site. March to October. Tel 01600 890883
Good launching/landing point on left bank before the Saracens head ferry, at Wyedean canoe centre. Also camping. Mr and Mrs Howells 01600 890129. Pubs B&B's Hotel, WC
Excellent Pick-up / Drop-off point adjacent to the rowing club. Car park. Camp site on bank of river Monnow at Monnow Bridge. 01600 714004.
Land on left bank just upstream of bridge. Beyond here the river is tidal and muddy. Experts only.
No landing
Landing point. Car park (fee). Camp site 2 miles from river: Mrs M. Cracknell, Beeches Farm, Tel 01291 689257
Compiled by Jim Thornton Sep 2001. This is now out of date. Click here for the latest itinerary information.
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