Glasbury on the River Wye offers several distinct focal points for a stay: the Wye Valley Walk, a canoe route to Hay with set water-level and seasonal conditions, and notable traces of ecclesiastical history. This can help you choose what to focus on. If you mainly want to walk, you’ll find information about route markers and rights of way; for a paddling trip, the water level and time of year are key. The River Wye Activity Centre offers outdoor activities as another focus.
Church tower and church remains
The tower of St Peter’s Church Glasbury is a prominent feature of the surrounding landscape and is particularly noticeable from the Radnorshire side of the River Wye. If you view the village from this side of the river, the tower is a distinctive landmark.
In the village of Glasbury, the remains of a probably medieval church stand on a raised mound in the floodplain on the south bank of the River Wye. The remains probably date from the Middle Ages. If you’re interested in historical sites and their topographic setting, you’ll find here a combination of high ground, river floodplain and the river’s south bank.
Wye Valley Walk: markers and rights of way
Glasbury is a stopping point on the Wye Valley Walk. The route is marked in both directions with circular yellow directional arrows and discs showing leaping salmon. The two types of sign help you recognise the route markers. As markers can change when signs are replaced, check the latest route information before setting out.
The walk runs mostly along official public rights of way. This describes the route’s access framework, not the condition of every section: conditions on the paths can vary. So take both the route markers and the condition of the paths into account when preparing for your walk. The statement about public rights of way applies to most of the walk.
Paddling to Hay: water levels and season
A canoe trip from Glasbury to Hay has two requirements that must both be met: the water level at the Glasbury gauge must be above 0.67 m, and trips are only possible between Good Friday and Michaelmas on 29 September. A suitable water level alone is not enough outside this time window; conversely, the seasonal rule does not remove the water-level threshold. Check the current access conditions before paddling.
The River Wye section from Glasbury to Hay is listed as 8.6 km. When planning your canoe trip, consider this distance alongside—not instead of—the water-level and seasonal conditions.
Outdoor activities at the River Wye Activity Centre
The River Wye Activity Centre has six acres of grounds for outdoor activities such as archery, mountain biking and team building. Unlike the path and river, the focus here is on several activities at one site. Check which activities are available on your dates before booking.
Discover more destinations: Erwood, Llansantffraid, Carno, Clyro, Berriew, Colva, Llangorse, Cwmdu.
For the main travel overview: Powys.
