British, hand-crafted,
traditionally styled
Canadian canoes
From family days out to solo trips, long-distance touring and whitewater adventures, Campbell canoes are designed to be confidently capable across a wide range of uses.
Find the right canoe for you
Some Campbell canoes are ready to go, others are built exactly to you — either way, it starts with a few quick questions. Jason reads your answers personally, then picks up the conversation with you by phone, WhatsApp, a video call, or at the workshop.
- 01Ask away — there's no such thing as a silly question
- 02No hard sales — if a Campbell isn't right for you, Jason will say so
- 03The chat guides you in real time, but every answer is read personally by Jason — this isn't a bot
Meet Jason, the team (and Nova)
Every plank of ash is inspected by hand before it becomes a gunwale, a seat or a yoke, and every canoe is hand-oiled to last a lifetime. Get in touch and you'll be talking to Jason directly.
Once your build is under way, the team sends photos as it takes shape — so you're part of the process, not just waiting for a delivery. Visit Hertford and you'll meet Jason and Nova the workshop dog, with a chance to try a demo canoe on the river.
Workshop visits are by appointment — tell us what suits and we'll get it booked in.
Made to order, one conversation at a time
Every canoe is built around the person paddling it, so the process starts with a conversation rather than a checkout. Here's what that looks like, from first message to first paddle.
Tell us how you'll paddle
Five quick questions, or a call or WhatsApp if you'd rather. We suggest a size and finish to start from.
Talk it through with Jason
Phone, WhatsApp or a live video walkaround, where he shows you every detail and answers anything you like.
See it for yourself
Visit the Hertford workshop by appointment, look at the demo canoes and try one on the river outside. No obligation.
We build yours
Your size, spec, seating layout and hull colour. Most canoes are ready in 4 to 5 weeks, and we'll keep you posted along the way.
Collect or arrange delivery
Most people collect from Hertford. If you can't, we'll agree a sensible delivery option.
Choose your length, spec, colour, seating configuration, accessories — even personalised graphics
Both lengths paddle solo — 16ft is about how much you carry. S7 and S5 differ in finish and feel, not capability.
Every curve has a reason
Native American and early Canadian builders spent hundreds of years refining hull shapes for real water. A Campbell canoe keeps the higher, curved bow and stern and the flowing lines of those original hulls, softened for how and where we paddle today.
So why are so many modern canoes flat? Because flat is cheaper to make and stacks better for transport and display. Those compromises benefit production and retail, not the paddler.
The result is a canoe that feels calm, capable and reassuring — solo, loaded with family and kit, on long-distance tours or running moving water.
Which shape suits me?
The two historic canoe designs that inspired the shape of every Campbell hull.
The details that make it a Campbell
It's easy to miss at first glance — customers often tell us afterwards how much they hadn't noticed until it was pointed out. Every Campbell carries the same care in the details you won't see as the ones everyone comments on at the water's edge.
Hand-picked English ash
Gunwales, decks, yoke, seats and handles. Only timber that passes Jason's own inspection for grain and strength goes in.
Triple-coated hardwax oil
Soaks into the grain rather than sitting on top like varnish, so it doesn't crack at the first knock.
Webbing, painter ropes and deck netting
The matching webbing, grips, ropes and netting that give a Campbell its finished look on the water.
A2 stainless throughout
Every screw, bolt and fixing. Nothing to rust, nothing to replace.
The higher, curved bow and stern
The classic Canadian profile, kept because it still gives lift, control and predictability on real water.
Your colour, your seating
Standard hull colours or almost any RAL shade. Decided with Jason before the build starts.
Watch a Campbell Canoe being made
Every plank of ash is hand-picked at the timber yard, then shaped, fitted and triple-oiled in the Hertford workshop. From the first cut to the final finish, this is what goes into every Campbell canoe.
To last a lifetime, to live your life
"Beautifully crafted, sits comfortably in the water, extremely stable and cuts through the water amazingly. Got lots of comments throughout my trip."
Richard Parry, Liverpool"Thank you so much, Jason, for keeping me posted every step of the process. I am the happiest and most stylish paddler out there."
Miranda Canestro"I was able to try both canoes on the river right outside Jason's workshop. It was a pleasure to meet Jason, and his dog Nova."
Mark Coventry"Ordered the S7.16 for family trips and it hasn't disappointed once. The finish is stunning and Jason talked us through every option."
Sarah Whitfield, Oxford"Bought direct instead of going through a retailer and it made a real difference — no pressure, straight answers, and a canoe built exactly to spec."
Tom FieldingFrom the workshop, out on the water, and customer stories
[ GALLERY — auto-synced from Instagram ]
The common questions we get
Can I see or try a canoe before I commit?
Yes. Visit the Hertford workshop by appointment, look at the demo canoes and try one on the river outside — no obligation to buy. Too far away? We'll do a live video walkaround instead.
How long does a canoe take to build?
Most canoes are ready in 4 to 5 weeks, though spring and summer get busier. Once we know your model and spec, we'll give you a precise date.
What makes a Campbell different?
Traditionally styled Canadian hulls, hand-crafted in small batches in Hertford, and sold direct — so no retail mark-up and a straight line to the person who actually builds your canoe.
Can I choose the colour and seating?
Yes — standard hull colours or almost any RAL shade, plus single, double or triple seating. All decided with Jason before the build starts.
Ready to talk canoes?
Answer Jason's five questions, or skip straight to a conversation.
