White Water Rafting Experiences in the UK

Rafts hold up to eight or nine rafters, as well as the instructor.

Not necessarily. If you book individual experiences you will be part of a group to make up a raft. Some venues do require a minimum number of people, so please see each individual rafting venue page for more details.

White water rapids are given a grade between 1 and 6. One is gently flowing water, whilst level six is deemed 'un-runnable'. The lower the number, the less gnarly the waters are!

When you go white water rafting on rivers you are riding the naturally occurring rapids in often stunning scenery. At man-made white water rafting centres the facilities are excellent and you will be riding a course where the flow of water can be controlled to make it as extreme or gentle as you like.

It depends if you just want to ride straight up and down the course, or if you play in the stoppers and waves on the way down. Your experience is usually counted on a time basis, so within that time you might get multiple runs in.

Each venue has its own policy on whether you need to be able to swim to white water raft. Some of the more extreme rapids will require you to be a good swimmer. In other cases, just confidence in the water is sufficient. For all experiences, an on-shore briefing will show you what to do if you fall out of the raft.

Yes, a reasonable level of fitness if required for going white water rafting - and you'll need to paddle whilst you're in the raft too!

Venues supply free of charge or payable locally wetsuits, helmet, buoyancy aid and sometimes wet boots too. You need to bring swimmers to wear under the wetsuit. If it's cold a rash vest of thermal top can be a good idea.

You should wear trainers (preferably lace up ones) that you don't mind getting wet. Some locations include wet boots with their provided kit.

Don't forget to bring a towel and a change of clothes. All our venues have toilet, changing and shower facilities.

This can vary between white water centres, but in general glasses with glass lenses are a no no, but contact lenses, glasses with plastic lenses, or prescription goggles are all OK.

It can be, yes! We have white water rafting centres that offer beginner sessions that are suitable from ages as young as 10 years old. Check each page for full details of their age policies.

Height is not such an issue as weight and chest size. For example, there may be an upper weight limit of around 18 stone and chest size needs to be less than 48". Don't forget to double check restrictions on each supplier page before you book.

White water rafting is an extreme sport. You will definitely get wet and you might fall in the water, but you will have all the necessary safety equipment and your instructor will be onboard the raft with you at all times. Certain man-made centres also have staff stationed on the banks of the run. And of course, before you launch, you will have a full safety briefing.

If you want to fall in, that can definitely be arranged! For many it's all part of the fun. For those who are not so keen, it's worth noting that instructors will tailor the rafting to ride less aggressive waters.

No. Even if you have head or chest mounts, GoPros/cameras are not allowed in the raft with you for safety reasons. Get your on-shore supporters to do the filming for you!

We have got some of the best white water rafting locations in the country for you. There are superb rivers in Scotland and Wales offering varied rapids in wonderful settings. And we have some of the best-equipped man-made white water rafting centres in the UK for you too. Here's where you can go white water rafting -

• Nottingham
• Wales - Cardiff
• Hertfordshire
• Stockton on Tees
• Scotland - Glasgow

Natural rapids:

• North Wales - Llangollen
• North Wales - Bala
• Scotland - Fort Augustus
• Scotland - Perthshire
• Peak District