West Cumbria Rivers Trust Launches ‘Watery Walks’
A festive journey through art, nature and community
Family enjoying an adventurous Watery Walk
This December, West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT) is delighted to unwrap 'Watery Walks', a series of ten scenic and immersive trails that celebrate the rich river landscapes of West Cumbria. With downloadable maps, engaging activities, and enchanting art, each walk promises a festive treat for explorers of all ages. The 'Watery Walks' series is designed to encourage locals and visitors alike to rediscover the beauty, history, and wildlife of the region’s waterways, fostering a deeper connection with their natural environment and is funded by Cumberland Council and UK Government.
This unique project weaves together nature, art, and storytelling, showcasing temporary and permanent riverside art installations and featuring exclusive recordings and support from the internationally renowned author Robert Macfarlane.
Unveiling the Trails: A Seasonal Adventure
The 'Watery Walks' series includes ten carefully curated trails along some of the most captivating rivers in West Cumbria including the Irt, St John’s Beck, the Cocker, the Derwent and the Ehen. Two walks will be revealed each week throughout December as part of a special Christmas-themed release, with the final four walks being revealed during Christmas week to ensure the entire series is available by Boxing Day. Families can pick the perfect trail for a festive riverside stroll, making the most of the season's natural beauty.
Art Trails with Community Spirit
Among the Watery Walks, one standout trail features a permanent art installation south of Egremont on land owned by Lord Egremont, the Trust’s Patron. Along this permissive footpath by the River Ehen, three striking River Totems will be installed, designed in collaboration with Florence Arts Centre and by Kendal-based artist Daniel Weatheritt. Weatheritt worked closely with local schoolchildren and community members to bring their ideas to life.
Another trail features temporary art installations debuting at a Riverside Christmas Event on Saturday 14 December in Workington. Visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant displays, try the 2km Watery Walk along the River Derwent at Curwen Park and Mill Field, and enjoy festive crafting activities inspired by the riverbank’s flora and fauna. Created by artist Anne Waggot Knott during workshops at Moorclose Community Centre, the installations illustrate themes such as migratory patterns, growth, and resilience. They reflect the river’s ecology and highlight the wellbeing lessons we can learn from riverside species.
The project highlights local talent, with all artists and suppliers based in Cumbria.
Digitally Guided Adventures
All walks in the series are digitally accessible, featuring downloadable walk instructions and beautifully illustrated maps created by talented Cumbrian artists and designers. These maps are more than just guides; they include helpful tips, ideas for activities, fascinating wildlife facts, insights into river behaviour, and information about the vital work of the Trust. Three of the walks are accompanied by podcasts to enrich the walking experience, recorded and edited by Cumbrian-based journalist Tom Speight.
One highlight is the Cockermouth walk, inspired by the poet Wordsworth’s connections to the town. The accompanying podcast features exclusive readings from acclaimed writer Robert Macfarlane, including two of his wildlife poems from The Lost Words, created in collaboration with the artist Jackie Morris. Macfarlane, a supporter of the 'Watery Walks' project, is currently working on his next book, Is a River Alive, set to be released on 1 May. The podcast also includes poetry curated by Cumbrian-based artist Anja Phoenix from community workshops with local school children, blending traditional literary inspiration with contemporary voices.
A Message from the Director
Jodie Mills, Director of West Cumbria Rivers Trust, expressed her excitement for the project:
“This project is all about reconnecting people with their natural environment, educating them on what makes a river thrive, and addressing the challenges our rivers and wildlife face. Our goal is to foster a life long love of our watery worlds so that our rivers offer more to our communities and, in turn, inspire people to become advocates for their protection. We hope to inspire everyone in our county to explore the beautiful watery worlds we have. We’re so thrilled to have been able to employ Cumbrian-based artists on this project.”
Support and Gratitude
The Trust extends its heartfelt thanks to Lord and Lady Egremont, as well as other landowners who have supported the project, including The National Trust, the National Park, and Cumberland Council. A special thank you goes to the project’s funders, Cumberland Council and UK Government.
Join West Cumbria Rivers Trust this December to celebrate 'Watery Walks', and enjoy a series of delightful walking adventures that promise to be the perfect festive gift for nature lovers.
Photocall Opportunity
Join us for a photocall opportunity on Fri 6 December:
9:30am - Walk from Egremont's Bookwell Primary School with local school children and artist Daniel Weatheritt to unveil the River Totems along the banks of the River Ehen. While we await final planning permission for the complete installation, we will showcase one totem in place for a special visual moment to capture the creative spirit of the project.
12:00pm - Official launch at Florence Art Centre with drinks reception, nibbles, and children’s goody bags to take away.