Going with the flow

Clare Balding explores the sights and sounds of Britain's rivers

Having covered Wimbledon, the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024, Clare Balding takes a break from presenting sport to explore life along the banks of some of the most fascinating rivers in Britain.

In the six-part series Tales from the Riverbank, she meets the people who live and work on the riverside, finds out about the wildlife that calls these rivers home, visits places of historic interest, and samples some local delicacies.

'Britain is home to some of the most spectacular rivers in the world. Each one with a character of its own, says Balding, 54. I'm on a journey to discover six of the most iconic.

Here, we take a look at what's in store...

EPISODE ONE: RIVER SEVERN

Balding's adventure begins on the longest river in the country, which flows 220 miles from the Cambrian mountains of Wales to the shores of the Severn estuary. She takes the helm of a narrowboat, enjoys a spot of birdwatching and reluctantly samples eels. 'This vast river surprised and fascinated me at every stretch,' she says.