Mini-Raft Hire

Pre-booking is essential – Book online or call us direct

Mini-raft hire
Mini raft hire
Mini raft hire in the Gorge

7 mile route (up to 4 hours)

Your mini-raft hire starts in Coalport, part of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. You have up to 4 hours to paddle down river with an average time taken being 2½ to 3½ hours.  This gives you time to enjoy the beautiful Shropshire countryside and enjoy a floating picnic along the way. 

Each mini-raft holds between 2-5 people with a minimum of 2 adults per raft. Our mini-rafts are the number one choice for families with children due to their stability on the water and especially popular with groups.

After parking in Bridgnorth our minibus will pick you up and transport you to the start of your trip. This way you can then paddle back to your vehicle for a hassle-free experience.

In addition to enjoying a river trip you can also enjoy a breakfast at The Brewery Inn in Coalport beforehand on our first trip of the day. After parking in Coalport, your table will be waiting for you at The Brewery Inn where you can spend an hour enjoying your freshly cooked breakfast. (Please note that the canoe/kayak hire price does not include the cost of breakfast). You can bring small well behaved dogs however you will need to sit on the outside terrace.  At the end of your trip we will transport you back to your vehicle.

Please dress for the weather on the day with sensible footwear you don’t mind getting wet (no flip flops or wellies).

Your mini-raft hire finishes in Severn Park so after your trip why not take a stroll into Bridgnorth for a drink or bite to eat.

We welcome children from the age of 4 and over.

Free Mini bus trip

Prefer to meet us in Coalport, Ironbridge Gorge?

If you’re staying in the local area and would prefer to meet us in Coalport please give us a call to book.

With this option you can park your vehicle in Coalport and meet us at the start of the trip. At the end of your trip you’ll finish in Severn Park, Bridgnorth and we will transport you back to Coalport in our free minibus shuttle.

You may have to wait for your transport back, depending on other customers, but there are pubs and cafes within walking distance of the park where you can grab a drink or bite to eat while you wait.

To book this option please call direct as spaces may be limited.

Full details of where to meet will be sent to you prior to your trip.

Mini raft trips to Bridgnorth

Where to Meet

Breakfast club – Park in Coalport at 8.50am ready for breakfast at The Brewery Inn. We will send you details of parking prior to your trip. We will transport you back to your vehicle at the end of your trip.

For the 10am and 11am trips please park in the Severn Park car park (WV15 5AF) which costs £5.50 for full day parking where our staff will pick you up. 

We have other customers being transported in our free shuttles so the minibus will leave on time. Please arrive early otherwise we will have to leave without you with no refund or reschedule given. 

We don’t charge extra booking fees so what you see is what you pay!

Don’t fret if your preferred date appears sold out, as we may have extra availability, so please call us if you have any questions. Join us for an unforgettable experience on the water—book now!

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Breakfast Club

THE PUB IS CURRENTLY CLOSED WHILST IT IS UNDERGOING  RENOVATIONS SO WE ARE NOT TAKING BOOKINGS FOR THE 9AM BREAKFAST CLUB AT THIS TIME

After parking your vehicle in Coalport where you trip starts, you can enjoy a tasty breakfast at The Brewery Inn before your river trip.

Run by Fiona and her friendly team, treat yourself to a scrumptious breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients. From hearty cooked breakfasts to lighter options, there is something to satisfy every taste, including vegetarian and vegan choices. 

After savouring your meal, take a short stroll to the river, just a minutes walk away, where your journey begins at 10.05am.

At the end of your trip in Bridgnorth’s Severn Park we will transport you back to your vehicle, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience.

Menus are shown below but may be subject to change at short notice so if you have any questions regarding food please contact the pub direct beforehand.

Click on the menus below to enlarge.

brewery inn front
Brewery menu p1
Brewery menu p2
brewery inn front
Brewery menu p1
Brewery menu p2

Please note that due to other customers who require transport there may be a wait at the end of your trip before heading back. We will send you full details of where to park in Coalport prior to your trip. 

The boat hire price does not included the cost of breakfast. You do not need to pre-order food but we will reserve you a table. 

You can also bring small well behaved dogs on our mini-raft hire, however you will need to sit outside on the pubs terrace which overlooks the river.

Please also be aware that you cannot consume alcohol before your river trip.

Please read the notes below before making a mini-raft hire booking

See the full guidelines, rules and regulations below.

We require a minimum of 2 adults per mini-raft.

We recommend you bring a towel and change of clothing for the end of your trip in the event that you get wet.

A few days prior to your trip date we will email you with all the necessary information you need.  Our minibus will leave on time from Severn Park in Bridgnorth. If you arrive late we will have to leave without you with no refund or reschedule given. We recommend you arrive early to pay for parking and sort your bags. 

The parking machines do not accept cash. You will need to make payment with a debit card or online via the app.

Children from the age of 4 onwards are welcome.

PLEASE NOTE: As a security deposit for our mini-raft hire services, we require a photo ID for each booking, i.e driving licence or passport.  A staff member will safely keep this for the duration of the hire period. However, should you fail to bring the required documents on the day we reserve the right to cancel your booking with no refund given.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before making a booking.

You can only book online from 1st April to 30th September.  During our low season (October to March) please call us direct.

Call (01952) 427150        Email shropshirerafttours@icloud.com

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for all the answers you need.

If your chosen date and time is showing sold out please call us as we may have some extra availability

Health and Safety Guidelines, Rules and Regulations

The safety and enjoyment of your trip depend on both river and weather on your chosen trip day. We do not allow any trips to proceed when severe conditions are occurring or expected. Furthermore, heavy rainfall over the days leading up to your trip date affects the river levels, especially rainfall over the Welsh mountains some two days before departure. Subsequently we will offer you an alternative date if we are unable to run your trip due to circumstances beyond our control.

If you have any questions about your mini-raft hire, equipment or the River Severn please do not hesitate to ask.

Furthermore, if your party have any health issues, please discuss this with us first and make us aware of these conditions. As a consequence of certain health issues we may discourage you from taking part in the event. Anyone with a history of epilepsy should also avoid participating in this activity.

Please note that the maximum weight per mini-raft is 70 stone. We do not allow children under the age of 4 years in the mini-raft. An adult must accompany any child under 10 years on a one to one basis. The minimum hire age is 18 years old and an adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18.

It is important to note that participants must have the ability to swim a minimum of 25 metres.  In the circumstances, an adult who can swim must accompany anyone who cannot swim this distance.

Please arrive no later than your allocated launch/transport time. Furthermore, please call us if you are running late. However, if you are late we will have to leave without you due to other customers travelling in our free shuttle. In this instance we will have to cancel your trip with no refund or reschedule given.​

You must wear your buoyancy aids at all times whilst you are rafting. If you remove your buoyancy aids whilst off the river for any reason please do not use them as seats, throw them on the ground or in the bottom of the boat. Please place them in the dry bag supplied to keep them clean. Buoyancy aids which come back particularly dirty or covered in mud will incur a £10 surcharge cleaning fee each.

Do not stand up in the mini rafts whilst on the river and take care when getting out. When you leave the river take all your belongings, buoyancy aids and paddles as these are your responsibility and we will charge you in full if they are lost or stolen.

You cannot smoke whilst wearing your buoyancy aid or sitting/standing in the mini-raft.

Most importantly, please note that you cannot consume alcohol prior to your trip. If you are found under the influence of alcohol or any other substances we will not allow you to take part in the event. In addition we will not provide a refund or reschedule in the event of cancellation.  Furthermore, you cannot take alcohol on the river and we have the right to confiscate it until you return. If you refuse to relinquish alcohol we will cancel the trip with no refund or reschedule given.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they have the correct clothing and are fit enough to complete any trip comfortably. The route will take 2½-3½ hours to paddle even in low summer river levels but we allow up to 4 hours.  With this in mind, if you exceed the 4 hour time we reserve the right to make a surcharge of £25 per extra hour, per boat, overrunning the time limit. In the event that you are not able to return to the end of the trip and you require a member of staff to retrieve you and/or your boat(s) (dependent on where you are located on the river) there will be a £100 retrieval charge.

You can bring your dog, however do not leash them in the mini-raft and please advise us in advance.

There is no safety cover on the river however you can contact us. Call: 01952 427150. For the most part, mobile phone coverage on the river is minimal for a lot of the major networks. However you can contact us on WhatsApp on 07497 086936.

What to wear and spare equipment: Loose clothing, i.e. t-shirts, shorts, leggings and trainers (NOT wellington boots, flip flops or jeans).  Please dress appropriately and wear sunscreen as the sun reflecting off the water can increase your chance of heat stroke and sunburn. Furthermore the weather conditions can also change very quickly on your journey so please bring a raincoat. In addition, we also recommend you bring a change of clothes and towel for the end of your trip.

Do bring: A drink, chocolate bar, snack/picnic and sun tan lotion. Especially important is a waterproof mobile phone.

Do not bring: Expensive jewellery, watches, cameras/video cameras if not waterproof as we cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any of your effects.

Please do not leave rubbish on the river banks or drop it in the river. Bring it back with you and we will dispose of it.

Before making a booking, please review our full terms and conditions.