Helpful Info & FAQ’s

• We ask that you arrive promptly for you booked time slot.
• We will check you in against our booking system. Please ensure you have watched our online guidance videos.
• Our crew member will offer guidance on which size bouancy aid will fit you and/or your family.
• You will then be led to our rear dock where your craft will be waiting.

There are no restrictions for unpowered craft. You must respect other river users, moored vessels and not enter private property.

Not all locks are manned downstream, please bear this in mind. The safest way to navigate the locks is to portage.

Please let us know as soon as you can, we will do our best to accommodate you. If however you are booked on a trip, these run on strict timings. We will if numbers permit try and put you on the next available time slotWe ask that you turn up at your alloted time slot, not before, ready to go.

Tips for being ready to go:

• parking is limited in Lechlade. So please allow ample time for this.
• have refreshments and snacks for your time on the river. There is a small Londis in Lechlade where you can buy basics.
• have sun protection
• It may seem obvious, but have been to the toilet. The public toilets are now open on the High Street and the Riverside Pub opens at 12 noon.

We supply the craft, paddles & dry bags if needed. Items you should consider bringing are:

• Drinks
• Picnic or snacks
• Weather appropriate clothing (DO NOT WEAR JEANS!)
• Sun cream
• Mobile phone

This will depend entirely on the craft you choose and your fitness level. Around 2 miles per hour is a good guide, but some will be faster and some slower. Remember to allow time to enjoy the river, by stopping for snacks or a drink. There is so much wildlife to see! Paddling upstream will always be slower, so bear this in mind when planning your day.

Our site is not wholly suitable for wheelchair users, due to the narrow doors at the rear. Our pontoon to access the pedals is on a slope. We have had non able bodied people access the majority of our craft. Please contact us before hand.

More Information can be found here

Yes! We very much welcome your four leggers on all our craft, as long as their owners are well behaved. We must stress however that you must be in control of your kayak/canoe/rowing boat/pedalo at all times, as well as your dog. You do this at your OWN risk.

We will be cleaning equipment after each use. High traffic areas and surfaces will also be cleaned regularily.

Unfortunately, we have no toilets in our building. The Riverside Pub has toilets to use for its paying customers. The public toilets are clean and are a short walk from us on the High Street. We ask that you allow time before your hire slot should nature call!

We share the car park with The Riverside Pub. There is limited number of spaces and can be very busy at weekends and peak season. There is a pay and display machine next to the pub entrance. This is suitable for short stays. Full day hire charges can be expensive.

Alternatively there is the Market Place or the High street in Lechlade. For day trips or multi day trips we suggest using the Riverside Park Car Park which is located on the other side of the river and a short walk back over the bridge to us.

Bridge House Campsite also has longer stay parking available if you are camping there. On occasion, if space they can offer parking to non camping guests. Please contact them direct.

Please allow plenty of time to park your vehicle, so that you arrive at your allowed time slot.

Weather and River Conditions

Hire on the booked day is subject to safe river and weather conditions. Cotswold Canoe Hire cannot allow customers to paddle in YELLOW or RED board conditions as determined by the Environment Agency due to safety and insurance restrictions. Nor can they paddle if lightning storms are forecast.

If Cotswold Canoe Hire deems it necessary to postpone your hire for safety reasons, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer alternative dates. If no suitable date can be arranged, we will issue a full refund. However, we are not responsible for any additional costs or losses incurred due to the cancellation.

Customer cancellations

*More than 14 days before the hire date: Full refund minus a £10 administration fee per craft.

*Within 14 days of the hire date: 50% of the hire cost will be charged.

*Within 28 hours of the hire start time: No refund will be given, and the full cost will be charged.

Arrival & Punctuality

Please arrive at your designated start time, date and location for your hire. We recommend ARRIVING AT LEAST 15 MINUTES EARLY. Please allow time for parking and toilets.If you arrive after your start time, without notice, we will do our best to accommodate, but your booking may be cancelled without a refund.

Late Return

We aim to be flexible and understand delays happen, however late return of you craft  over 15  minute grace period without prior notice, will incur a late arrival fees as follows:

15-30 minutes 25% of hourly rate
30-60 minutes 50% of hourly rate
60 minutes + full additional hourly rate