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The River Wye is 251 kilometres long. It drains a catchment containing a rich and varied landscape spanning the Welsh and English borders. It rises in the uplands of mid Wales, flowing past the towns of Rhayader, Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, entering the Severn Estuary at Chepstow.

The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the River Wye, from Hay to Bigsweir Bridge. Navigation on the tidal Wye, below Bigsweir, is the responsibility of Gloucester Harbour Trustees.

The Wye Navigation Advisory Committee meets in spring and autumn, helping to maintain sustainable recreation and navigation on the River Wye.

For details of the committee and a copy of approved minutes, please email wye-navigation@environment-agency.gov.uk.

River access for boaters

Boaters have confirmed legal access on the River Wye between Hay-on-Wye and Chepstow (where the River Wye enters the Severn Estuary). Upstream of Hay-on-Wye there are a number of negotiated access points.

Access upstream of Hay Bridge

• there is no confirmed legal right of navigation upstream of Hay Bridge
• access to navigate the upper Wye is disputed
• there are 2 arrangements to help facilitate shared access and river use between anglers and paddlers; please refer to the Wye & Usk Foundation website and the Canoe Wye website for further details
• much of the upper Wye isnt recommended for beginners, or boaters who dont have considerable experience of white water; please read the available guides before paddling
• it is recommended that you check and if necessary obtain permission from the owner(s) of the riverbed along your route before you access the river

Access downstream of Hay Bridge

• the public right of navigation doesnt give an absolute right of access to the river bank downstream of Hay Bridge, except in an emergency or to prevent one
• other than at accepted public sites or where there is public access to the river bank, you should get permission from the owner of the riverbank/surrounding land before you launch or land your boat
• any use of the banks must be not only incidental to your navigation, but also reasonable and considerate to the needs of landowners and other users
• permission is needed to camp or picnic on the banks or neighbouring fields

River Wye event calendar 2023

There may be river restrictions around each event.

If you are participating in an event make sure youre aware of the Paddlers Code. This is a guide to using the river without reducing the enjoyment of others or damaging the environment.

Date	Event	Organiser
Sunday 8 January	Winter League Belmont, Tennis courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 22 January	Winter League Belmont, Tennis courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 29 January	Winter League Belmont, Tennis courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 12 February	River Wye Feeder Championships all club waters	Hereford and District Angling Association
Wednesday 15 February	Spring 2 day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Thursday 16 February	Spring 2 day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Saturday 11 March	Division 2/3 Slalom - Symonds Yat Rapids	Wyedean Canoe Club
Sunday 12 March	Division 2/3 Slalom - Symonds Yat Rapids	Wyedean Canoe Club
Saturday 6 May	Division 3/4 Slalom Open Symonds Yat Rapids	Wyedean Canoe Club
Sunday 7 May	Division 3/4 Slalom Open Symonds Yat Rapids	Wyedean Canoe Club
Sunday 14 May	Walk the Wye - Monmouth Show Ground	Rotary Club of Monmouth
Saturday 27 May	Monmouth Regatta - Monmouth Rowing Club	Monmouth Rowing Club
Sunday 28 May	Monmouth Regatta and Sprint Monmouth Rowing Club	Monmouth Rowing Club
Saturday 27 May Sunday 11 June	Big Paddle Clean up various locations on Wye	British Canoeing
Sunday 18 June	Marathon Hasler Race Hereford	Hereford Kayak Club
Friday 23 June	Marathon Hasler Race Hereford	Hereford Kayak Club
Saturday 24 June	Charity Raft Race Holm Lacy Rd to Holm Lacy	Freedom Church Hereford
Friday 30 June	Boating Weekend	Hereford Sea Cadets
Saturday 1 July	Boating Weekend	Hereford Sea Cadets
Sunday 2 July	Boating Weekend	Hereford Sea Cadets
Sunday 16 July	MadDash Raft Race - Hereford	MadSat Raft Team
Tuesday 25 July	Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Monmouth	Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre
Wednesday 26 July	Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Monmouth	Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre
Thursday 27 July	Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Redbrook	Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre
Friday 28 July	Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level - Hay on Wye to Monmouth	Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre
Saturday 12 August	Wye Float River and Music Festival - Hereford rowing club to Greenway Cycle Bridge	Wye Float Committee
Saturday 26 August	Annual Wye Camp Hoarwithy to Ross	PaddlePlus Canoe Club
Sunday 27 August	Annual Wye Camp Lower Lydbrook to Monmouth	PaddlePlus Canoe Club
Saturday 26 August	Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club Regatta	Ross Rowing Club
Sunday 27 August	Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club Regatta	Ross Rowing Club
Monday 28 August	Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club Regatta	Ross Rowing Club
Sunday 3 September	56th Annual Raft Race - Monmouth to Whitebrook	Rotary Club of Monmouth
Sunday 3 September	MadDash 2 Hereford to Hoarwithy	MadSat Raft Team
Sunday 17 September	Wild Wye Swim Kerne to Huntsham Bridge	Severn Area Rescue Association
Sunday 24 September	Monmouth Autumn Head - Monmouth Rowing Club	Monmouth Rowing Club
Sunday 24 September	Joe Burrows Charity Match all club waters	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 8 October	Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 22 October	Winter League Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 29 October	Wye Championship all club waters	Hereford and District Angling Association
Wednesday 1 November	Rivermasters Final Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Sunday 5 November	Bonfire and Fireworks Monmouth Rowing Club	Monmouth Rotary Club
Wednesday 8 November	Hereford 3 Day Festival Belmont, Tennis Courts	Hereford and District Angling Association
Thursday 9 November	Hereford 3 Day Festival Belmont, Tennis  View the original news story Related Articles Scroll Back To Top 📄More Articles Guidance: Information to help boaters on the River WyeTuesday, 9 Aug Guidance: Information to help boaters on the River WyeMonday, 9 Jan Guidance: Information to help boaters on the River WyeThursday, 2 Feb Guidance: Information to help boaters on the River WyeWednesday, 26 Apr Guidance: Information to help boaters on the River WyeWednesday, 21 Jun Comments Scroll Back To Top ✎Write Comment We don't have any comments for this article yet. Why not join in and start a discussion. Write a Comment Scroll Back To Top Your name: Your email: Comments: Post my comment  Sponsored Advert   Ministerial Departmental News   PM's Office, 10 Downing Street   Cabinet Office   Department for Business, Innovation and Skills   Department for Communities and Local Government   Department for Culture, Media and Sport   Department for Education   Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs   Department for International Development   Department for Transport   Department for Work and Pensions   Department of Energy and Climate Change   Department of Health   Foreign and Commonwealth Office   HM Treasury   Home Office   Ministry of Defence   Ministry of Justice   Northern Ireland Office   Scotland Office   Wales Office   See all departments News Calendar Recent Comments  Sponsored Advert   Follow Us on Twitter Tweets by @gov_wire  Latest Government News Press release: LANDMARK CHILDCARE ROLLOUT ON TRACK Guidance: Youth justice services: Midlands Guidance: Handling a Bill in Parliament Guidance: United Kingdom Single Issuing Authority (UKSIA) Cabinet Office v The Information Commissioner and Sheppard (MP): [2024] UKUT 76 (AAC) Transparency data: Business and Property Courts Rolls Building Cause List Transparency data: Royal Courts of Justice Cause List Public Law Project v Information Commissioner: [2024] UKUT 71 (AAC) JA v Disclosure and Barring Service: [2024] UKUT 60 (AAC) Decision: CAC Outcome: GMB & Amazon UK Services Limited (3)    Business Climate Crime Defence Economy Environment Housing Immigration NHS Overseas Schools Tax Transport Work ALL ❯ © 2024 Copyright CliqTo Media Ltd. Registered in England, company number 7575287. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Copyright Notice Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Share This Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below: