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The GuardianAug 7, 2026

How to explore Britain and Ireland’s most beautiful rivers on foot, bike or boat: readers’ travel tips

Our rivers may be running low at the moment, but they still offer an abundance of adventure and nature to explore. Here are your favourites, from the Tees to the Shannon • Tell us about a favourite holiday in the UK – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher Last summer, I enjoyed a six-mile walk along the fast-flowing River Wharfe from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey, with calming vistas of the Yorkshi…

19 things in this story
  • River WellandPlace65-mile river followed from source to sea
  • Elsewhere
  • Dean VillageSuburbEdinburgh, United KingdomIt is bounded by Belford Road to the south and west, Belgrave Crescent Gardens to the north and below the Dean Bridge…
  • River WharfePlaceIlkley, United KingdomSix-mile walk from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey
  • Yorkshire DalesNeighborhoodYorkshire, United KingdomCalming vistas seen from River Wharfe walk
  • Riverside GardensParkIlkley, United KingdomStarting point for walk on River Wharfe's south bank
  • River BurePlaceNorfolk, United KingdomThe Bure rises near Melton Constable, 11 miles (18 km) upstream of Aylsham, which was the original head of navigation.
  • BelaughNeighborhoodNorfolk, United KingdomQuintessentially English village on the River Bure
  • St Benet's AbbeySightNorfolk, United KingdomRomantic ruins accessible from the River Bure
  • Roys of WroxhamMarketWroxham, United KingdomWorld's largest village store for restocking supplies
  • Sowe Valley FootpathTrailCoventry, United Kingdom8½-mile riverside trail near Coventry city centre
  • River SowePlaceCoventry, United KingdomTributary of the Avon, runs through Coventry
  • Water of Leith WalkwayTrailEdinburgh, United Kingdom13-mile riverside journey through Edinburgh
  • Water of Leith Conservation TrustPlaceEdinburgh, United KingdomCares for the Water of Leith Walkway
  • Rockingham CastleSightCorby, United KingdomNear Corby, passed on River Welland walk
  • Boston StumpPlace of worshipBoston, United KingdomSt Botolph's church, grew larger as river met sea
  • Grand CanalPlaceShannon Harbour, IrelandWalked as children, meets River Shannon
  • River ShannonPlaceShannon Harbour, IrelandIrish river, landscape changes utterly
  • McIntyre'sRestaurantShannon Harbour, IrelandPub for Irish tapas, open whatever the weather
  • St Bernard's WellSightEdinburgh, United Kingdom
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