Ross-on-Wye

The small (but perfectly formed) market town of Ross-on-Wye is a perfect spot from where to start your River Wye canoeing adventure. 

Ross-on-Wye promotes itself as “the birthplace of British tourism”. In 1745, the rector, Dr John Egerton, started taking friends on boat trips down the valley from his rectory at Ross. The Wye Valley’s attraction was its river scenery, its precipitous landscapes, and its castles and abbeys, which were accessible to seekers of the “Picturesque”. In 1782, William Gilpin’s book “Observations on the River Wye” was published, the first illustrated tour guide to be published in Britain. Once it was published, demand grew so much that by 1808 there were eight boats making regular excursions down the Wye, most of them hired from inns in Ross and Monmouth. By 1850 more than 20 visitors had published their own accounts of the Wye Tour, and the area was established as a tourist area.

We are want to canoe?, a family-run business operating out of nearby Hay-on-Wye. We are the number one choice for River Wye canoe hire and are fully-equipped to set you and your family or friends up with all you need to fully explore the Wye Valley in the most memorable way.

Below you’ll find all of our Ross-on-Wye canoe hire trips (and what you can expect along the way) along with information about where to stay if you’re on a multiple-day excursion. We will provide you with everything you need (except for sandwiches and cake). Any questions? Just give us a call – we’re a veritable fountain of useful local info: