The rivers and us: stories from the York rivers trail

York has always been shaped by its rivers.

This event is part of the York Festival of Ideas 2026.

Join us for a curated boat journey to experience the city from the water and discover the York rivers trail, a new project exploring how York has lived with water over time.

Through stories of nature, heritage and adaptation, this experience will introduce how upstream and downstream places are connected, and how flood resilience and natural flood management can support people, wildlife and place.

This is not a formal talk. It is a shared experience, with time to pause, reflect and take in the river, alongside short insights from project partners and contributors.

We will also invite your thoughts, helping to shape how the rivers trail develops.

Event details

• 10.00am - Meet at King’s Staith landing

• 10.15am – Boarding

• 10.30am - Sail

• 11.15am – Disembark at King’s Staith landing

• 11.30am-12.30pm - Optional walking / wheeling tour after disembarkment –(for relevant ticket holders only - the 'Boat + Walking tour' ticket is required to take part in the guided walking/wheeling tour).

The event is for ticket holders only. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate additional participants on the day.

Please dress appropriately for an outdoor experience, including changeable weather. To ensure comfort and well-being of all passengers, smoking and vaping are not permitted. Under 16s should be accompanied by an adult.

Accessibility

The event is free and designed for a general audience. Content is conversational and non-technical.

We will travel on City Cruises’ River Duchess, a vessel adapted for wheelchair users, pushchairs and passengers with restricted mobility. It has level decks throughout and an accessible toilet with a baby-changing unit.

A virtual tour of the boat is available here: https://tour.your360.co.uk/york-city-cruises-river-duchess/

Photography

Please note that a photographer will be present at this event. Photographs may be used for project communications and future promotions of the York rivers trail and partner activity.

We will clearly explain this on the day and will always ask for consent before taking identifiable photographs. If you prefer not to be photographed, this will be fully respected.

Further details about how we handle personal data can be found in our privacy notice: https://www.ousewem.co.uk/terms-conditions/privacy-notice