A family of layered lanthanide (Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) hydroxide nanowires (NWs) has been synthesized via a hydrothermal route. These NWs are ∼8 nm in diameter and a few micrometres in length. The obtained Eu- and Gd-based layered hydroxide NWs consist of layered structure with two interlayer spacings. The effects of hydrothermal temperature and time on the transition of the layered structure were investigated. Photoluminescence of the Eu-based layered hydroxide NWs was also studied. These layered lanthanide hydroxide NWs combine the advantages of lanthanide and layered hydroxides, which will expand the inorganic layered materials and can be expected to be used as building blocks for further fabrication of functional nanostructures.