Tales from the Riverbank

Fly fishing © Rob Jordan/2020VISION

For centuries our local chalk streams have been a source of inspiration for residents and visitors alike. Many have expressed their interactions with the landscape through creativity, while others are still waiting for their stories to be told.

These special places have caught the imagination of Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy, and been immortalised in acclaimed novels like The Water Babies and Watership Down. The unique qualities of the streams have been captured in visual form by artists and cherished in the memories of those who live alongside them.

Tales from the Riverbank is a project dedicated to showcasing and continuing this rich creative tradition through literature, photography, and storytelling. It forms part of the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

About the scheme

Email the team

Stories

What do chalk streams mean to their communities? Find out by reading stirring personal stories from people who have lived, worked, and played around these precious habitats. Or perhaps you have a story to share - get help to preserve your memories in writing or as an oral history.

Learn more

Poetry

In 2024, we asked local young people to write a short poem inspired by the wonderful world of chalk streams. The entries were funny, poignant, and full of vibrant imagery. The 16 winning poems can be enjoyed in a beautifully illustrated anthology, which is free to view online.

Learn more

Literature

In June 2024, our Tales from the Riverbank Literature Festival celebrated how rivers inspire the written word. We were honoured to welcome authors from across the country, as well as nurturing local creativity through writing workshops for children and adults.

Learn more

Photography

In 2021, our Tales from the Riverbank Photography Competition asked Hampshire residents to capture the magic of the Test and Itchen headwaters. The resulting entries were amazingly creative, and show the streams in all their glory.

Learn more