Canoe Building Holiday, Wooden Canadian Canoe. Stitch And Glue.

We have been building marine ply canoes since 1993, and offering canoe building instruction since around 1995. It is a wonderfully fulfilling process to build and then launch and paddle your own canoe before strapping it on your car and taking it proudly home. Okoume marine ply is incredibly durable, we have a canoe here which was built in 1973 ( not by me). They are light enough to carry single handed or between 2 of you, and our Birchcanoes Lakota design is stable and fun on the water for a couple, young family or paddled solo. Our workshop is next to a quiet river where you can launch your canoe after you build it.

We also have two home made cabins where guests can stay ( this is an additional cost, but heavily subsidised by me). Ask me about accommodation availability for your chosen dates. This year we still have availability for Spring and Summer 2023, and are already taking bookings for Summer 2024 if you want to plan ahead. The last several years we have been over-subscribed ( lots of people opting to stay in the UK for their holidays due to Covid I think). This year we anticipate it will be quieter.

This is a great activity if you are on your own ( we provide a lot of help with the build along with instruction) or for 2 of you, or for a family or small group. We charge per canoe, so there's no additional cost if you want to bring a friend. The process takes between 3 and 6 days. Most people complete the process in 3 days, and the price here is for the 3 day option. Let me know if you would like to consider the 6 day option, which is especially applicable if you are a family and need the flexibility.

The build does take a little longer if children are involved too! We also offer ( as an optional extra) for you to make paddles, although this only applies if you are here for 6 days: you will be busy enough making your canoe if you are only here for 3 days ( but don't worry, you will easily manage the canoe in 3 days) Feel free to ask me any questions about the process, the canoe, the location ( we are in the Leicestershire countryside, with a couple of acres of grass and woodland in addition to the workshops and cabins. Lots of people book with us each summer for their family holidays, but since everything is home made and rustic, it might suit outdoor types rather than folks who prefer hotels!