{"id":585874,"date":"2026-08-07T10:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T10:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/585874\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T10:10:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T10:10:10","slug":"how-to-explore-britain-and-irelands-most-beautiful-rivers-on-foot-bike-or-boat-readers-travel-tips-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/585874\/","title":{"rendered":"How to explore Britain and Ireland\u2019s most beautiful rivers on foot, bike or boat: readers\u2019 travel tips | Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Bolton Abbey and the Yorkshire Dales from the Wharfe<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Last summer, I enjoyed a six-mile walk along the fast-flowing River Wharfe from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey, with calming vistas of the Yorkshire Dales every step of the way. I set out at Ilkley\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/bradforddistrictparks.org\/park\/riverside-gardens-ilkley\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Riverside Gardens<\/a> on the south bank, near the remains of a Roman fort. Trace the path to the ancient stone bridge and along to the picturesque village of Addingham with its Low Mill weir and views of late bronze age or early iron age <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenorthernantiquarian.org\/2008\/09\/28\/castleberg-nesfield\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Castleberg fort<\/a>. Simply carry on hugging the riverbank to the splendid remains of 12th-century monastery of <a href=\"https:\/\/boltonabbey.com\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bolton Abbey<\/a>, situated in wonderful woods and parkland.<br \/>Helen<\/p>\n<p>ProfileReaders&#8217; tips: send a tip for a chance to win a \u00a3200 voucher for a Coolstays breakShow<\/p>\n<p> Guardian Travel readers&#8217; tips<\/p>\n<p>Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/travel\/series\/readers-travel-tips\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">readers&#8217; tips homepage<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Thank you for your feedback.<\/p>\n<p>Cruising the Bure in the Norfolk BroadsThe ruins of St Benet\u2019s Abbey.  Photograph: John Duckett\/Alamy<\/p>\n<p>The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2017\/nov\/01\/reader-information-on-affiliate-links\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A week cruising along the River Bure in Norfolk from Acle to Coltishall is an unforgettable experience. With a speed limit of 5mph, life is slow, and there is plenty of time to enjoy the ever-changing landscape and wildlife. Numerous stopping places give access to nature reserves, quintessentially English villages such as Belaugh, the romantic ruins of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.norfarchtrust.org.uk\/project\/st-benets-abbey\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">St Benet\u2019s Abbey<\/a>, as well as riverside pubs and the Broads themselves. Not to forget \u201cthe world\u2019s largest village store\u201d, Roys of Wroxham \u2013 an essential port of call to restock supplies before the atmospheric last stretch to Coltishall with its cafes and shops. Boats can be hired from several locations and are easy to handle \u2013 no experience needed.<br \/>John<\/p>\n<p>Wildlife in the city on Coventry\u2019s River SoweHerons are a common sight on British rivers. Photograph: FLPA\/Alamy<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">For a peaceful walk close to Coventry city centre, try the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coventryrocks.co.uk\/things-to-do\/sowe-valley-footpath\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sowe Valley Footpath<\/a>. This 8\u00bd-mile riverside trail runs from Hawkesbury Junction to Whitley Grove Wood, following the River Sowe \u2013 a tributary of the Avon \u2013 through woodland, waterways and urban landscapes. Look out for herons, moorhens and other wildlife along the way. I love that it shows how nature can be found in unexpected places. <br \/>Deborah Dixon<\/p>\n<p>Edinburgh\u2019s sublime Water of LeithThe Water of Leith runs through Dean Village. Photograph: Jui-Chi Chan\/Alamy<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.waterofleith.org.uk\/walkway\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Water of Leith Walkway<\/a> is a 13-mile riverside journey through Edinburgh from Balerno to Leith, lovingly cared for by the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. A good introduction is to walk from Roseburn (a mile west of Princes Street) downstream to Stockbridge. It\u2019s about two miles and will take roughly 45 minutes through Dean Village and passing St Bernard\u2019s Well. If you\u2019re lucky, you might see a kingfisher. <br \/>Keith Cumming<\/p>\n<p>From the Midlands to the Fens and the sea along the WellandThe River Welland between Market Deeping and Crowland. Photograph: Tim Scrivener\/Alamy<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">I create my own long-distance walks using the Ordnance Survey app. My favourite was a five-day walk following the 65-mile long River Welland from source to sea. Starting at Sibbertoft, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire, I walked the Rutland-Northamptonshire border past <a href=\"https:\/\/rockinghamcastle.com\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rockingham Castle<\/a> near Corby, through Stamford and the poet John Clare\u2019s birthplace at Helpston. The route then headed out into the fens, stopping at the ruined medieval abbey at Crowland and the elegant canal-side town of Spalding. The final day was spent slowly watching the Boston Stump (St Botolph\u2019s church) grow larger as I walked to where the river met the sea.<br \/>Alex<\/p>\n<p>Cruisng down the Shannon, Ireland\u2019s \u2018Mississippi Delta\u2019The Shannon at Banagher harbour, County Offaly. Photograph: Image Broker\/Alamy<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Shannon Harbour in the Irish Midlands marks the spot where the Grand Canal meets Ireland\u2019s River Shannon. As children we often walked the canal, stopping in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/McIntyres-Pub\/100063782612313\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">McIntyre\u2019s pub<\/a> for Irish tapas (Tayto crisps). But the biggest treat was when my father\u2019s childhood friend would take us in his boat from Shannon Harbour to the Shannon proper. The landscape changes utterly. On a warm day it feels like leaving rural Ireland and going down the Mississippi Delta. On a wet day you can\u2019t see the other side. But McIntyre\u2019s will be open when you get back, whatever the weather.<br \/>Eve<\/p>\n<p><a data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" href=\"#EmailSignup-skip-link-19\" class=\"dcr-76akua\">skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter | Twice a week<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-vf9hps\">Sign up to The Traveller<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1r7my33\">Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786097410_171_500.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-xiq31o\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"EmailSignup-skip-link-19\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"after newsletter promotion\" role=\"note\" class=\"dcr-76akua\">after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n<p>Roman ruins along York\u2019s OuseWalking the Ouse is a great way of exploring York.  Photograph: Andrew Briggs\/Alamy<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">North Yorkshire\u2019s River Ouse takes you on a gorgeous walk through York and beyond. You can start by crossing Scarborough Bridge before strolling down Dame Judi Dench Walk, then meander past Roman and medieval ruins at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkmuseumgardens.org.uk\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Museum Gardens<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/perkypeacock.co.uk\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Perky Peacock<\/a> cafe in a medieval tower on the riverside is a highlight. You can follow the river down to Rowntree Park and Millennium Bridge. Just beware of the cobbles and some step-only access along the way.<br \/>Mary<\/p>\n<p>Waterfalls on the Tees in County DurhamKayakers tackle Low Force. Photograph: Malkin Photography\/Alamy<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The River Tees crashes over High Force waterfall amid dramatic moorland before bubbling over Low Force downstream. Park at Bowlees and cross the Tees at Low Force on the historic Wynch suspension bridge, built in the 1830s (it replaced Britain\u2019s first suspension bridge, built by lead miners in 1741). It\u2019s a good place to stop and watch kayakers tackle Low Force. Continue upstream through the moorland to the roar of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisisdurham.com\/things-to-do\/high-force-waterfall-p26441\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">High Force<\/a>. After all that fresh air, finish with cake at <a href=\"https:\/\/northpennines.org.uk\/bowlees-visitor-centre\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bowlees visitor centre<\/a>, bliss!<br \/>Hannah S<\/p>\n<p>Winning tip: along the Ouse through the South DownsThe River Ouse near Lewes, East Sussex. Photograph: Lemanieh\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Following the River Ouse (one of five British Ouses) to the sea is great fun, on foot or bike. I usually start near Horsham in West Sussex, and track the <a href=\"https:\/\/ldwa.org.uk\/ldp\/members\/show_path.php?path_name=Sussex+Ouse+Valley+Way\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ouse Valley Way<\/a> which passes through South Downs. This route lets you cross rolling fields and wander through woodland paths and you can even pause at the beautiful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/visit\/sussex\/nymans\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nymans<\/a>, an extraordinary garden owned by the National Trust. The river walk goes under a 37-arch Victorian railway viaduct near Balcombe and leads to the historic town of Lewes in East Sussex, where you can have a break at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.johnharveytavern.co.uk\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">John Harvey Tavern<\/a> and watch the waters flow past. The final part is an easy stretch of flat riverside walking as you the coast comes into sight, leading into Newhaven. <br \/>Peter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bolton Abbey and the Yorkshire Dales from the Wharfe Last summer, I enjoyed a six-mile walk along the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":585875,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[42,43,40,38,41,39],"class_list":["post-585874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=585874"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585874\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/585875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=585874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=585874"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=585874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}