Capernwray
Capernwray Diving Centre is a privately-held UK inland dive site in a former Lake District quarry, offering recreational and technical diving, swimming, equipment hire and repair, retail, restaurant, and conference services to divers, swim members, and visiting groups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersCarnforth, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Capernwray does
Capernwray Diving Centre is a privately-held, single-site inland diving venue operated from a flooded former quarry on the edge of the Lake District in the United Kingdom. The business provides freshwater recreational and technical diving access, swimming facilities, and ancillary hospitality services. Its core proposition centers on a curated collection of submerged attractions — including a WWII Podsnap minesweeper, a 1943 Wessex Dragonfly helicopter, the African Queen and Gypsy Moth replicas, an underwater cave system, and two world-famous six-foot sturgeons — deployed across depth profiles ranging from shallow novice platforms to a 20m sump for technical divers. The site holds an official designation as having the second cleanest recreational bathing water in the UK, which underpins its reputation for visibility and water quality.
The company monetizes through a diversified set of revenue streams. Primary revenue comes from diving day passes (£29 walk-up, £25 online) and memberships (£20 per dive), supplemented by swimming day passes (£14 walk-up, £12 online) and 2-year memberships (£40). Ancillary streams include equipment hire (full dry-suit kit at £70/day, semi-dry at £60/day), a retail shop stocking brands such as Aqualung, Apeks, Cressi-Sub, and Suunto, dry-suit repair and IDEST cylinder testing services, the on-site Porthole Restaurant and bar, and a 30-delegate conference room available for hire. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, relying on walk-ins, online booking via Typeform, and word-of-mouth within the UK diving community. The company holds Aqualung Gold Centre status — the manufacturer's highest dealer tier — and maintains demo partnerships with Santi (dry suits) and Shearwater Research (dive computers).
The business is led by Managing Director Carol Hack (with prior RAF and financial advisory experience) and Director/Operations Manager Chris Collingwood, an ex-RNLI helm who personally designed the underwater layout and arranged the sinking of the site's wrecks and features. Technical diving instruction is anchored by PADI Master Instructor and TecRec Trimix Instructor Guido Quelina. No total headcount, revenue, or ownership-structure disclosures are available; the company shows no evidence of outside investors, subsidiaries, or digital platform technology.
Capernwray firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Capernwray
- Legal name
- Capernwray Diving Centre
- Website
- https://dive-site.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Capernwray Diving Centre is a privately-held UK inland dive site in a former Lake District quarry, offering recreational and technical diving, swimming, equipment hire and repair, retail, restaurant, and conference services to divers, swim members, and visiting groups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Capernwray industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Inland Dive Centre
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses) (THAJAJAD), Hot Springs, Lagoons & Water-Based Wellness (Thermal Pools, Floating Spas) (THAJAJAN), Diving & Snorkeling Retail (Scuba Gear) (CRAMAIAF)
Keywords
Where Capernwray is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carnforth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Capernwray business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Diving Day Passes and Membership: Revenue from diving entry fees. Day passes are priced at £29 (discounted to £25 when booked online). Annual memberships are available providing discounted entry rates for members at £20 per dive.
- Swimming Entry and Membership: Revenue from swimming access fees. Day passes are £14 (£12 when booked online). Members pay £8 per entry. Two-year membership available for £40.
- Equipment Rental: Comprehensive gear hire services including full diving套装 (dry: £70/day, semi-dry: £60/day), individual items (cylinders, regulators, BCDs, suits, weights, torches, etc.). All equipment maintained to highest standards and serviced by on-site IDEST centre.
- Gear Repair Services: Dry suit repair services including leak testing (£20), leak repair (£15 per leak), latex neck replacement (£70), Si Tech system installations. On-site IDEST cylinder testing station operated by Chris Collingwood.
- On-site Shop Sales: Retail shop selling complete range of diving gear from manufacturers including Apeks, Cressi-Sub, Oceanic, Aqua Lung, Mares, Suunto, and dive wear from Fourth Element, Patagonia. Also stocks adventure wear and accessories.
- Restaurant and Bar: Porthole Restaurant provides hot and cold food, fully licensed bar with draught real ale and lager, soft drinks, spirits, and specialty coffee. Serves both divers and non-diving visitors. Opening hours match dive centre hours.
- Conference and Event Hire: Conference room available for hire, seating up to 30 delegates in boardroom or lecture layout. Offers tea/coffee service and buffet lunch. Used for weddings, conferences, Christmas parties, and night dives. Rental by hour or daily delegate rate available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Diving Day Pass - Non-members |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Diving Entry - Members |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Swimming Day Pass - Non-members |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Swimming Entry - Members |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Swimming Membership |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Gear Package - Dry Suit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Gear Package - Semi-Dry |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Gear Items |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dry Suit Repair Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Conference Room Hire |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Capernwray product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Capernwray operates an inland freshwater dive site built in a former quarry on the edge of the Lake District, UK, offering recreational and technical diving access, swimming facilities, diving equipment rental and repair, a retail dive shop, the Porthole Restaurant and bar, and conference/event hire. Day passes and multi-year memberships provide access to underwater attractions including submerged wrecks, a helicopter, a cave system, training platforms, and marine life such as sturgeons.
Product overview
Capernwray is an inland diving centre located on the edge of the Lake District, UK, offering a unified recreation venue that combines diving and swimming facilities with supporting services. The core offerings are diving services (day passes and 2-year memberships providing access to an inland quarry with underwater wrecks, training platforms, and a cave) and swimming facilities. These are supported by ancillary services including a shop selling diving equipment from brands like Aqua Lung, Apeks, and Cressi-Sub; gear hire (full kits and individual items); gear repair (dry suit maintenance); a product demo program for Santi dry suits and Shearwater computers; the Porthole Restaurant; and conference facilities for hire.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Diving Services Access to an inland freshwater quarry dive site for recreational and technical divers. Includes day passes (£29, or £25 online) and 2-year memberships (£20 per dive for members), with access to underwater wrecks, a cave, training platforms, and varied marine life.
- Swimming Facilities Swimming access at the quarry venue for individuals and families, with day passes (£14, or £12 online) and 2-year memberships (£40) providing member rates of £8 per entry. Non-diving visitors can watch diving activity from the water's edge.
- Gear Hire Equipment rental including full diving kits (dry suit package £70/day, semi-dry £60/day) and individual items such as cylinders, regulators, BCDs, suits, masks, fins, torches and weights, maintained to high standards and serviced by an on-site IDEST testing centre.
- Gear Repair Services Dry suit repair services including leak testing (£20), leak repair (£15 per leak), latex neck replacement (£70), and Si Tech ring system installations (£140–£160), plus IDEST cylinder testing operated on-site.
- The Diving Centre Shop On-site retail shop stocking diving gear from manufacturers including Apeks, Cressi-Sub, Oceanic, Aqua Lung, Mares, Suunto and Dive Rite, plus dive wear from Fourth Element, Body Glove and Patagonia, with expert staff advice.
- Porthole Restaurant and Bar On-site restaurant and fully licensed bar serving hot and cold food, draught real ale and lager, spirits, soft drinks and specialty coffee to divers and non-diving visitors, with opening hours matching the dive centre.
- Conference and Event Hire Meeting room rental seating up to 30 delegates in boardroom or lecture layout, with panoramic views across the quarry, tea/coffee service and optional buffet lunch; available for corporate meetings, weddings, Christmas parties and night dives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Second cleanest recreational bathing water in the UK
Companies that use Capernwray
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Capernwray technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Capernwray partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AqualungcoreCapernwray is an Aqualung Gold Centre, representing the highest level of dealer status. This designates them as an authorized Aqualung retailer offering the most comprehensive services including top-tier facilities, full range of Aqualung scuba diving gear, and extended activity options.
- Santi DivingminorSanti dry suits are available for product demonstrations at Capernwray for members. Members can try Santi dry suits designed for comfort and durability in cold water conditions, free of charge, with guidance from staff.
- Shearwater ResearchminorShearwater dive computers are available for demonstration at Capernwray, allowing members to experience advanced features suitable for both recreational and technical diving before purchase.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Capernwray competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Santi Diving: Premium dry suit manufacturer with an established partnership at Capernwray for product demos. Comparable as an ecosystem participant in the UK dry-suit diving retail channel.
- Shearwater Research: Technical/recreational dive computer manufacturer partnering with Capernwray for product demos. Comparable as an equipment vendor enabling the technical/recreational diving content at the site.
Direct peers
- Blue Lagoon Outdoor Pursuits (formerly Blue Lagoon Diving Centre): Welsh inland dive centre providing diving, training, and outdoor activities. Operates with a similar model of freshwater diving plus ancillary leisure offerings.
- Gildenburgh Water: Cambridgeshire freshwater dive site offering recreational diving, training, and club facilities. Comparable to Capernwray as a UK inland dive centre serving club and recreational divers.
- National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC): Large inland dive site in the UK offering recreational and technical diving, training platforms, equipment retail, and on-site accommodation. Direct competitor to Capernwray in the UK inland dive market.
- Wraysbury Diving Centre: London-area inland dive centre offering recreational diving, courses, and equipment sales. Direct comparable to Capernwray for UK freshwater diving and diver training.
- Stoney Cove: UK inland dive centre offering recreational diving, training, and equipment services in a flooded quarry. Comparable to Capernwray as a UK freshwater dive destination with retail, hire, and instructional offerings.
- Vobster Quay: UK inland dive centre in Somerset providing diving, training, equipment retail, and on-site accommodation. Comparable freshwater venue competing for the same UK diver and diver-trainee customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Center Parcs UK: UK multi-activity short-break resort offering water-based activities, family leisure, and event hire. Comparable as a broader UK leisure destination operator that competes for family and corporate day-trip spend.
Emerging players
- Go Ape: UK outdoor adventure activity operator with multiple sites. Comparable as a UK destination leisure activity venue serving families and corporate groups, though with different core activities (aerial/climbing vs. diving).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Capernwray social profiles
Digital presenceCapernwray financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Capernwray leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Capernwray funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Capernwray M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Capernwray
What does Capernwray do?
Capernwray operates an inland freshwater dive site built in a former quarry on the edge of the Lake District, UK, offering recreational and technical diving access, swimming facilities, diving equipment rental and repair, a retail dive shop, the Porthole Restaurant and bar, and conference/event hire. Day passes and multi-year memberships provide access to underwater attractions including submerged wrecks, a helicopter, a cave system, training platforms, and marine life such as sturgeons.
Is Capernwray a public or private company?
Capernwray is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Capernwray founded?
Capernwray was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Capernwray based?
Capernwray is headquartered in Carnforth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Capernwray make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Diving Day Passes and Membership is the primary driver. The others are swimming Entry and Membership, equipment Rental, gear Repair Services, on-site Shop Sales, restaurant and Bar and conference and Event Hire.
Who are Capernwray's main competitors?
Others on record are Santi Diving and Shearwater Research. Direct peers are Blue Lagoon Outdoor Pursuits (formerly Blue Lagoon Diving Centre), Gildenburgh Water, National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC), Wraysbury Diving Centre, Stoney Cove and Vobster Quay. Center Parcs UK is listed as a broad incumbent. Go Ape is listed as an emerging player.
Does Capernwray have an API?
No public API is recorded for Capernwray.
What industry is Capernwray in?
Capernwray's product category is Inland Dive Centre. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAIAA, Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications), with a secondary code of THAJAJAD, Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses).