Backwaters Adventure Equipment Ltd Whether you want to enjoy a peaceful day on the water with a waterside picnic, or spend a weekend or holiday exporing an area 'off the beaten track' moving between campsites or B&B's; canoe or kayak touring offers a peaceful and environmentally-friendly way to travel.  Canoe Hire and Outfitting Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal offers 50 km of placid water canoe touring, mostly without locks. Touring on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal offers spectacular scenery along with a number of places of historical interest en route. Backwaters hire canoes and kayaks for half-day, full-day or extended tours on the river, starting at Brecon (Terminus) or Gilwern Wharf. Open Canoe Camping. If you want to undertake an extended canoe camping tour, we can supply your canoe with tent, stove/fuel, sleeping mat and bag, and waterproof containers to pack it all in. The following information may help you plan your itinerary. All distances are given by canal from Brecon. It is recommended that you check with the camp site owners/B&B operators before setting off on your trip. Unless you are an experienced canoeist, we recommend that you do not attempt more than 10 miles per day.

Key to Table: Pick-up / Drop-off point. - this is a point at which you may start or finish your journey. We will collect or deliver to these points. Launching/landing point - canoes may be launched or landed here. Unless stated, these are not pick-up/drop-off points. Landing point - canoes may be landed here for access to facilities etc Camping - camp-site beside or within reach of the canal (unless otherwise stated). Inn/Pub etc. Where these are listed, it is normally possible to land to visit the Inn. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANOEISTS The information has been collected to aid our clients in planning a tour on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. Information has been drawn from the operators and from other published sources. We cannot accept responsibility for eany errors and omissions, and recommend that you check details in advance. Note that many of the campsites are very basic, and some need advance booking. Please note that canoes and kayaks are not allowed in locks on this canal, and if your itinerary includes locks, you will need to portage round them. There are special requirements for negotiating the Ashford Tunnel by canoe or kayak. Be aware that larger, motorised craft operate on the canal. There is a public footpath along the length of the canal, but parts of the canal are remote from roads and hire is completely unsupervised. You are responsible for your own safety on the canal. The Monmouthshire & Brecon canal is a BWB managed navigation. Canoeists should be aware of the Waterways Code.

Important Note - Due to scheduled maintenance of the canal during 2008, you may only be able to travel as far as Talybont, or below Abergavenny. Please check before making plans for a longer trip.
Brecon (Terminus). Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point		Car Park, Toilets. Historic Town. Pubs, Hotels, B&B's. Bunkhouse. Museums, Theatre, TIC. Buses to Hereford and Abergavenny (links to British Rail).
Pencelli Wharf. 4.5 miles. Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point		Limited car parking and public slipway. Pub The Royal Oak 01874 665396
Pencelli Castle Camping & Caravan Park. 4.75 miles.		Camp-site with canal access for site users. Tel. 01874 665451
Talybont. 7 miles. Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point		Small car park a short portage from canal.   B&B 07748 051125 Shop/P.O. W.C. Travellers Rest Inn, Pub/Food/B&B with canal access 01874 676233
Gilestone Camping and Caravan Park 7.5 miles.		Camp-site with canal access for site users. Tel. 01874 676236
Ashford Tunnel		Please note that there are special requirements for negotiating the tunnel by canoe or kayak. Portage available over the top of the tunnel.
Llangynidr. 11 miles. Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point		Flight of locks. Limited parking by bottom lock. Pub 'Coach & Horses' 01874 730245. B&B. Shop a short walk away from towpath.
Llangattock Wharf. Bridge 115 15 miles.		Hotel 'Ty Croeso' 01873 810573. Access to road, but no parking. Crickhowell town centre 10-15 minutes walk.
Park Farm, Llangattock.		Farm Camp-site with canal access (book first) Tel 01873 812183.
Gilwern Wharf. 18 miles. Pick-up / Drop-off point (for extended tours only). Launching/landing point		Car Park. Short walk to Garage/Shop. This car park and the adjacent section is extensively used by anglers, with regular fishing competitions being held throughout the year. Dates available from BWB. 2006-2007 - NB extensive building/roadworks beside the canal on the next section.
Gilwern Village. 18.25 miles.		Shops, P.O. pubs, toilets. Car Park 1/4 mile from canal, otherwise parking difficult on road. NB - in 2006-7 the next section runs through extensive road works.
Govilon Wharf. 20 miles.		Shops, P.O. in village. Access from road, limited car parking in village. BWB offices at Wharf. Private moorings.
		Bed & Breakfast. Rectory Cottage. Angela and Bryan Thomas 01495 785712
Goytre Wharf. 27 miles. Launching/landing point		Car Park. Information Centre. Cafe.
Pontymoile Basin. 33 miles. Pick-up / Drop-off point. Launching/landing point		End of navigable section. Car Park, Toilets. Café (seasonal). Shop nearby (garage). Pontypool Town Centre about 15 minutes walk through park.

Fees: Open Canoe. Half-day £25.00, Full-day £35.00 Kayak Half-day £20, Full-day £27.50 Bell boat Prices on application Minimum TOTAL hire fee £35 per day or part of day. Hire fees include paddles and buoyancy aids. Helmets available at no extra cost if required. Waterproof Barrell for kit: £5 per day Tent (2-person): £5 per day. Stove with fuel/crockery/cooking pots etc for 2 people: £3.50 per day. Sleeping bag with mat: £5 per day. Other items, please ask for a quote. NB - while kayaks may be hired on an extended basis, the camping equipment for one person will not fit easily into a kayak, and it is recommended that you include at least one open canoe in your party. Canal Licence Fees. A licence is required for paddling on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal (not applicable to BCU/WCA members). Canoe and Kayak Hire Gift Vouchers Terms and Conditions of Hire Types of Craft Available on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal Open Cockpit Kayak. This type of kayak is used for touring and is suitable for those who want to cover distances without going onto rough water. No capsize drill is needed, as in the event of a capsize you will fall safely out of the kayak. These are ideal for those who want to be ON the water, not in it. Open Canoe. The open canoe is also ideal for those who want to stay dry, but it is a more versatile craft in many ways, and can be taken onto open and white-water with the correct training. With its large carrying capacity this is the craft for exploring well off the beaten track, or for family picnics. Bell-Boat A team boat for ALL which has been used by: primary schools; octogenarians; Scouts/Guides; those with learning difficulties; Olympic class paddlers... Each Bell-Boat is guided by a trained and qualified 'helm' and this unique feature makes it possible for ANYONE to be able to enjoy paddlesport. We could, if you wish, train your teachers/leaders to helm the boats themselves, enabling your school or group to come Bell-boating regularly on a 'hire-only' basis. The Bellboat is an ideal resource both for the outdoor activity section of the PE curriculum and as a platform for fieldwork in geography, biology and ecology.