York rivers trail

Explore, take part and learn

The York rivers trail is designed to be explored in your own way - whether that’s a short visit, a longer walk, or returning to different places over time.

A small group of people standing on a riverside path, talking together, while one person points ahead and another holds printed materials.

Collect a York rivers trail sticker

When you’ve explored part of the York rivers trail, you can collect a sticker to mark your visit.

Pick one up from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre when you’ve completed one or more stops along the trail.

If you take part in the digital talk to the river experience, you can also unlock digital stickers along the way. You can collect both.

Join us along the trail

York rivers trail is more than a walk. It is an opportunity to explore the connections between rivers, nature, communities and climate resilience through a growing programme of walks, workshops, exhibitions and events.

This autumn, as part of York Environment Festival, York Walking Festival and York 50+ Festival, join us for a series of activities inspired by “The rivers and us”, exploring how York's rivers have shaped the city, support wildlife and continue to play an important role in our future.

Whether you are interested in history, nature, creativity, wellbeing or climate resilience, there are opportunities for all ages to discover York's rivers in new ways, share ideas and help shape the future of the trail.

Activities in August 2026

Date	Event	Location	Audience
20 August	The rivers and us: York Flood Defences Walking Tour - Take a closer look at many of the defences in the city, implemented by the York Flood Alleviation Scheme following severe flooding in 2015.	North Street Gardens	All (age 12+ years)
21 August	York Book of River Beasts with York's Hidden History at Tang Hall Explore - Explore York’s rivers, their wildlife and how they’ve changed over time, then use creative writing and art to invent marvellous creatures.	Acomb Explore	Families age 6+ years
24 August	The rivers and us: York Flood Defences Walking Tour - Take a closer look at many of the defences in the city, implemented by the York Flood Alleviation Scheme following severe flooding in 2015.	North Street Gardens	All (age 12+ years)
27 August	The rivers and us: Rivers2U mobile classroom at Homestead Park - The York rivers trail partner, Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, will bring their mobile classroom giving an opportunity to explore rivers, wildlife and habitats: the water cycle and techniques used to slow the flow of water and reduce flooding.	Homestead Park	Families age 5+ years
29 August	The rivers and us: Tracing the river through time - A hands-on workshop exploring the history of our rivers and the many ways they have shaped people's lives over time. Through drawing, mark-making, and visual storytelling, you will create images inspired by the rivers.	Patch @ The Bonding Warehouse	All

Activities in Ocotber 2026

Date	Event	Location	Audience
3 October, 10am to midday	York rivers trail: Stories, nature and resilience along the river - Explore nature, biodiversity and climate resilience on the York rivers trail. Share ideas to help shape its future.	North Street Gardens	All
4 to 29 October	York rivers trail: The rivers and us - Exhibition exploring York's rivers through photography, stories and creative responses inspired by nature, place and community.	City Screen, 13-17 Coney St, York YO1 9QL	All
13 October, 6.30pm to 8pm	Water and us: simple actions for healthier rivers - Discover simple actions that can help support York's rivers, biodiversity and climate resilience for future generations.	CYC West Offices, Hudson Room	All
24 October, 10am to 12pm	Following the Foss - Guided walk along the York rivers trail to the River Foss, exploring heritage, wildlife and the river's role in a resilient city.	Tower Gardens	All
27 October 10am to midday	The rivers and us: stories in motion - Creative family storytelling workshop exploring York's rivers, wildlife and future through imagination, drama and performance. Ages 5+.	Rowntree Park Amphitheatre	5+
27 October 2pm to 4pm	Future voices -Explore York's rivers through storytelling, discussion and performance. Share ideas for a more resilient future. Ages 13+.	Rowntree Park Amphitheatre	13+
28 October, 10 am to midday	Animating the river - Family animation workshop exploring York's rivers, wildlife and biodiversity through creativity and storytelling. Ages 7+..	Homestead Park Pavilion	5+
28 October, 2pm to 4pm	Future frames - Using animation to explore York's rivers, climate resilience and biodiversity, and share your vision for the future. Ages 13+.	Homestead Park Pavilion	13+

The York rivers trail is more than a walk or wheel. Through guided walks and wheels, exhibitions, creative workshops and community events, the trail brings together stories of nature, heritage, wellbeing and climate resilience, helping people explore the relationship between York, its rivers and the wider catchment.

All events are free to attend but booking may be required.

The York rivers trail can be explored at any time - through exhibitions across the city, viewing frames along the river, and interactive digital experiences.

For the latest updates, including dates and locations, please follow City of York Council on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Nextdoor @CityofYorkCouncil

You can also share your view of the river and the trail using #Yorkriverstrail - and see how others are experiencing it.

Keep exploring

Many organisations across York and the wider catchment run events, walks and activities linked to rivers, nature and climate. This is not an exhaustive list, but a starting point for exploring what’s happening across the area.

With thanks to the communities and partners shaping a more resilient York and North Yorkshire. Many thanks to our project partners and content contributors, including (but not limited to):