Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding sees the popular presenter check out some of Britain’s most famous rivers.
On her travels, the much-loved presenter meets the people who live and work on each river and its banks, encounters the amazing wildlife that call it home and visits some fascinating places while taking in picture-postcard views and stunning countryside along the way to bring us a unique perspective of the UK’s waterways.
"There is something truly magical about life on the water and I am looking forward to meeting the people, exploring the landscape and seeing the wildlife that thrives on the banks of our glorious rivers,” says Clare. “‘Britain is home to some of the most spectacular rivers in the world. Each one with a character of its own. I’m on a journey to discover six of our most iconic. I can’t think of a better way to spend my summer than telling tales from the riverbank."
Here’s all you need to know about Tales From The Riverbank on Channel 5…
Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding release date
Tales from the Riverbank with Clare Balding is a six-part series which airs on Channel 5 from Thursday 13 February at 8pm. Catch up on streaming service My5.
Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding – Episode Guide
Tales From The Riverbank sees Clare Balding explore Britain’s rivers, stopping off at famous landmarks and sampling plenty of local delicacies. She’ll take a closer look at the wildlife that calls the river home and meet the people who have made the waterways part of their lives.
EPISODE ONE: RIVER SEVERN
Clare's adventure begins on the longest river in the country, which flows 220 miles from a brook in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales to the shores of the Severn Estuary. However, she starts her journey by joining the river in the historic Shropshire town of Shrewsbury. Along the way she visits: Blists Hill Victorian Town, a recreation of a riverside town in Ironbridge, near Telford; nervously takes over at the helm of a narrowboat; visits the eerie site of abandoned ships and boats; enjoys a spot of birdwatching; and samples some eels, albeit reluctantly.
"It’s Britain’s longest river and arguably it’s most important," says Clare. "From a brook flowing through the Welsh Cambrian mountains along a course of 220 miles to Bristol it covers a lot of ground. This vast river has surprised and fascinated me at every stretch," says Balding. "It has been quite the adventure to sail the Severn!"
EPISODE TWO: RIVER DART
In Devon, the presenter explores this river from sea to source as she follows its 50-mile course in reverse from the prehistoric landscape south coast of the county to the craggy wilds of Dartmoor National Park. Along the way, she visits Greenway House, the holiday home of crime writer Agatha Christie, and at one point along the river finds herself lost for words.
"It felt so remote," says Clare. "That’s where I was in awe of a relatively small river and the power that it has. It was beautiful, haunting and entrancing."
EPISODE THREE: RIVER THAMES
Britain’s most famous river stretches more than 200 miles from Gloucestershire to Essex and Balding follows its course from its humble beginning and beyond as it meanders through beautiful countryside, which is teeming with wildlife, and passes grand estates and inspiring landscapes along the way.
"You can see how something huge and influential can grow from a tiny trickle," says Clare. "I love that feeling of increasing power and the way in which it then connects to the sea. All of the towns it flows through, are therefore dependent on it and created because of it."
EPISODE FOUR: RIVER WHARFE
When Balding explores this stretch of water which runs through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, she finds herself in James Herriot country where the vet and All Creatures Great and Small author lived and worked. On the agenda is a serenade by a brass band and a visit to the stunning Bolton Abbey Estate which is home to a perilous section of water known as the Strid where a deadly combination of underwater rocks and fast currents have led the Wharfe to being dubbed Britain’s most dangerous river.
"I’d probably say this was my favourite river," says Clare. "I asked for it to be included in the series. It's so beautiful."
EPISODE FIVE: RIVER WYE
Criss-crossing the border between England and Wales, this river winds its way more than 150 miles from the mountain Mid-wales to the Severn Estuary. As Balding follows its course, her journey includes the magnificent Tintern Abbey, the stunning village of Symonds Yat, the riverside city of Hereford and, her final stop, the quaint Welsh town of Hay on Wye.
"There are times when I got quite emotional because I just thought this is so special and I'm so lucky to get this chance," says Clare. "I’m also learning along the way."
EPISODE SIX: RIVER TYNE
The final leg of Balding’s adventures take her on the northernmost part of her journey as she explores this mighty river. Beginning in the vibrant and modern city of Newcastle, her journey takes her past beautiful towns and villages, remarkable roman ruins and riverside retreats, before she heads into Northumberland towards its source. Among the highlights is kayaking on the Tyne.
"I’ve been up to Newcastle since filming, and from the railway bridge I thought, I’ve kayaked there!" says Clare. "It has been one of the most joyful, uplifting, interesting experiences."
Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding – is there a trailer?
No, but if one is released by Channel 5 we’ll post it on this page for you to watch.
Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding – All about the presenter
Clare Balding is one of Britain’s best-loved TV presenters and covers everything from sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Olympics to big state occasions, such as the Coronation, jubilees and royal weddings. She also presents Crufts, the Boat Race, The Grand National and BBC Sports Personality of the Year and has had cameos in Dream Horse, The Missing Crown Jewels, W1A, Watson and Oliver and Dark Money. Clare is currently on Celebrity Gogglebox with her wife Alice Arnold and in summer 2023 presented a new Channel 5 show Live: Lost Dogs With Clare Balding.
Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding – Q&A with the presenter
Here, Clare reveals all about her travels in Tales From The Riverbank…
What made you want to explore some of Britain’s most famous rivers?
“I've spent a lot of time walking the country, but actually very rarely have I followed one river from source to sea - or in reverse - and it was really gorgeous to do that, to understand how much the rivers mean in people's lives. It really was a lovely series to make, I enjoyed it so much.”
Why do you think rivers hold such a fascination for people?
“You can witness how something huge and influential can grow from a tiny trickle. If you look at where the Thames rises in a field in Gloucestershire, it starts as a dribble and then it becomes one of the major rivers of the world and the best known. I love that feeling of increasing power and the way in which it then connects to the sea. All of the towns it flows through, are therefore dependent on it and created because of it. It’s a different way of looking at the world. They are the veins and arteries that keep our world alive.”
Which river was your most favourite to explore?
“I’d say probably the River Wharfe was my favourite. I asked for it to be included in the series. There’s this bit called The Strid where you come to this amazing section with moss covered stones. The river gets quite narrow there so there's quite a dramatic rush of water. It's so beautiful. There are times when I got quite emotional because I just thought this is so special and I'm so lucky to get this chance. I’m also learning along the way. “
Can you tell us about some of the amazing wildlife you discovered?
“On the Thames, I got to pick up a cygnet and weigh it, and put it back in the river. That was really lovely. I also saw a kingfisher just dart by in a flash of blue. Beautiful.”
What do you think life is like for people who live near rivers?
“I think there is a relaxed nature and a kind of enjoyment of life. People go at a different pace, they go with the flow. You can't move that quickly if you're on a narrowboat. You are going at the pace of the river. I have often thought that I would like to live by a river and then, during the course of filming the series, it became an absolute necessity. So that's what I'm going to do!”
Do you think being by a river is good for your health and wellbeing, then?
“It is healing. It offers a sort of spiritual restoration. I think spending time near a river or on the river would help in so many ways. We have a huge network of rivers, streams, canals and lakes in parks that are all free to access. I think we should promote them as a restorative therapy for the mind and body.”
What would your perfect weekend by the river include?
“I would take a little boat out and just potter along. I don’t need my heart rate to rise, I don’t need thrills, I just want to be on the river and go with the flow…”
Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding – the presenter's fun facts!
- Covering 220 miles, the River Severn is the UK's longest river.
- The River Dart’s name is most likely derived from an ancient word for ‘oak.’
- The River Thames is the UK’s busiest inland waterway.
- The River Wharfe has been dubbed Britain’s most dangerous river as the section known as the Strid has a deadly combination of fast currents and underwater rocks.
- The Tyne is the only river in England where salmon stocks are not in serious decline.
- The River Wye is regarded as the birthplace of British tourism having hosted the first organised tour in Britain in the 1800s.
