The right way to discover Britain and Ireland’s most stunning rivers on foot, bike or boat: readers’ journey suggestions | Travel

Bolton Abbey and the Yorkshire Dales from the Wharfe

Last summer season, I loved a six-mile stroll alongside the fast-flowing River Wharfe from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey, with calming vistas of the Yorkshire Dales each step of the way in which. I set out at Ilkley’s Riverside Gardens on the south financial institution, close to the stays of a Roman fort. Trace the trail to the traditional stone bridge and alongside to the picturesque village of Addingham with its Low Mill weir and views of late bronze age or early iron age Castleberg fort. Simply keep on hugging the riverbank to the sumptuous stays of Twelfth-century monastery of Bolton Abbey, located in great woods and parkland.
Helen

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Guardian Travel readers’ suggestions

Every week we ask our readers for suggestions from their travels. A number of suggestions will probably be featured on-line and will seem in print. To enter the newest competitors go to the readers’ suggestions homepage

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Cruising the Bure within the Norfolk Broads

Per week cruising alongside the River Bure in Norfolk from Acle to Coltishall is an unforgettable expertise. With a pace restrict of 5mph, life is sluggish, and there’s loads of time to benefit from the ever-changing panorama and wildlife. Numerous stopping locations give entry to nature reserves, quintessentially English villages resembling Belaugh, the romantic ruins of St Benet’s Abbey, in addition to riverside pubs and the Broads themselves. Not to overlook “the world’s largest village store”, Roys of Wroxham – a necessary port of name to restock provides earlier than the atmospheric final stretch to Coltishall with its cafes and retailers. Boats will be employed from a number of areas and are simple to deal with – no expertise wanted.
John

Wildlife within the metropolis on Coventry’s River Sowe

For a peaceable stroll near Coventry metropolis centre, attempt the Sowe Valley Footpath. This 8½-mile riverside path runs from Hawkesbury Junction to Whitley Grove Wood, following the River Sowe – a tributary of the Avon – by means of woodland, waterways and concrete landscapes. Look out for herons, moorhens and different wildlife alongside the way in which. I really like that it exhibits how nature will be present in surprising locations.
Deborah Dixon

Edinburgh’s elegant Water of Leith

The Water of Leith Walkway is a 13-mile riverside journey by means of Edinburgh from Balerno to Leith, lovingly cared for by the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. A superb introduction is to stroll from Roseburn (a mile west of Princes Street) downstream to Stockbridge. It’s about two miles and can take roughly 45 minutes by means of Dean Village and passing St Bernard’s Well. If you’re fortunate, you may see a kingfisher.
Keith Cumming

From the Midlands to the Fens and the ocean alongside the Welland

I create my very own long-distance walks utilizing the Ordnance Survey app. My favorite was a five-day stroll following the 65-mile lengthy River Welland from supply to sea. Starting at Sibbertoft, close to Market Harborough in Leicestershire, I walked the Rutland-Northamptonshire border previous Rockingham Castle close to Corby, by means of Stamford and the poet John Clare’s birthplace at Helpston. The route then headed out into the fens, stopping on the ruined medieval abbey at Crowland and the elegant canal-side city of Spalding. The closing day was spent slowly watching the Boston Stump (St Botolph’s church) develop bigger as I walked to the place the river met the ocean.
Alex

Cruisng down the Shannon, Ireland’s ‘Mississippi Delta’

Shannon Harbour within the Irish Midlands marks the spot the place the Grand Canal meets Ireland’s River Shannon. As kids we frequently walked the canal, stopping in McIntyre’s pub for Irish tapas (Tayto crisps). But the most important deal with was when my father’s childhood buddy would take us in his boat from Shannon Harbour to the Shannon correct. The panorama adjustments totally. On a heat day it appears like leaving rural Ireland and taking place the Mississippi Delta. On a moist day you’ll be able to’t see the opposite facet. But McIntyre’s will probably be open if you get again, regardless of the climate.
Eve

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Roman ruins alongside York’s Ouse

North Yorkshire’s River Ouse takes you on a beautiful stroll by means of York and past. You can begin by crossing Scarborough Bridge earlier than strolling down Dame Judi Dench Walk, then meander previous Roman and medieval ruins on the Museum Gardens. The Perky Peacock cafe in a medieval tower on the riverside is a spotlight. You can comply with the river right down to Rowntree Park and Millennium Bridge. Just watch out for the cobbles and a few step-only entry alongside the way in which.
Mary

Waterfalls on the Tees in County Durham

The River Tees crashes over High Force waterfall amid dramatic moorland earlier than effervescent over Low Force downstream. Park at Bowlees and cross the Tees at Low Force on the historic Wynch suspension bridge, constructed within the 1830s (it changed Britain’s first suspension bridge, constructed by lead miners in 1741). It’s a great place to cease and watch kayakers sort out Low Force. Continue upstream by means of the moorland to the roar of High Force. After all that recent air, end with cake at Bowlees visitor centre, bliss!
Hannah S

Winning tip: alongside the Ouse by means of the South Downs

Following the River Ouse (certainly one of 5 British Ouses) to the ocean is nice enjoyable, on foot or bike. I often begin close to Horsham in West Sussex, and monitor the Ouse Valley Way which passes by means of South Downs. This route allows you to cross rolling fields and wander by means of woodland paths and you may even pause on the stunning Nymans, a unprecedented backyard owned by the National Trust. The river stroll goes below a 37-arch Victorian railway viaduct close to Balcombe and results in the historic city of Lewes in East Sussex, the place you’ll be able to have a break on the John Harvey Tavern and watch the waters move previous. The closing half is a simple stretch of flat riverside strolling as you the coast comes into sight, main into Newhaven.
Peter