Half-day hire starts and ends at our base, Reading Marine Services Boatyard.

Duration

4 hours

About

Thames Canoe Hire rent out a fleet of Canoes and Kayaks from our base on the Thames at Tilehurst, Reading. All boats have river licences and are rented out with paddles and buoyancy aids.

Half day hire starts and ends at our base, Reading Marine Services Boatyard. Mapledurham and Caversham are within easy reach with time to stop along the way.

Upon arrival at our base at at Reading Marine Services Boatyard, our staff will give you a full safety briefing and get you kitted out with buoyancy aids, paddles and dry bags before helping you on to your boats to start your trip.

Important All under 18 must be accompanied by an Adult 18+, ratio 1 over 18s to 2 under 18s.

We suggest the following destinations for you half day hire up to 4 hours

Mapledurham Upstream is peaceful unless there is a train passing-by! There’s lots to look out for: Appletree Eyot and Poplar Island as well as the wildlife including red kites, herons, kingfishers and muntjac deer. If you are really lucky, you might spot an otter. Also, watch out for the letter box on the railway embankment. Just before Mapledurham Lock you will come across a small beach area called Purley Beach, a great place to stop and have a paddle or picnic. There is a small café, the Mad Duck, just in land if you have forgotten your picnic.

Caversham: Downstream, you will see where the local rowing club is based and where the swans congregate, you might even see a rare black swan. Thames River Cruises have trip and party boats for charter from here. After passing under Caversham bridge, you’ll come across Salter Steamers who operate a scheduled summer service up and down the river. After going around Fry’s Island, you’ll come across the modern foot bridge before arriving at the Park where you’ll often find an ice cream van for refreshment. If a hot drink is what you need, why not see if the tea barge is moored up after the Reading Bridge before arriving at Caversham Lock?