Guided river rafting trips

Holidaymakers, stag and hen groups, school and youth groups, corporate team days and local adventure seekers.

A price per person per trip, with discounts for groups and extra income from private group bookings, corporate days and add-ons such as photos or refreshments.

• Qualified raft guide or river leader with rescue training
• Confident reading and managing groups of beginners
• Good organising and customer service

• Check whether your trips need an adventure activity licence or other safety registration, and what insurers expect
• Check river access rights, which differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and any landowner or dam release arrangements
• Public liability insurance suited to adventure activities, plus employer's liability once you take on guides
• Safety risk is real: set clear procedures, group size limits and weather and water level cut-offs
• Trade is seasonal and weather dependent, so plan cash flow for quiet months

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the number of rafts, safety kit, transport and guide training. Adventure activity insurance is also a cost to check, so get quotes before buying equipment.

Check whether your trips need an adventure activity licence or other safety registration, and what insurers expect. Also check river access rights, which differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus any landowner or dam release arrangements.

You will need to be a qualified raft guide or river leader with rescue training, confident managing groups of beginners, and good at organising and customer service. Set clear procedures, group size limits and weather and water level cut-offs.