Where the River Meets Us

Where the River Meets Us runs from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October, a new festival that takes over the riverside and neighbourhood spots across Norwich. The whole thing is built on the idea that the city was founded on its rivers — 'We are here because the rivers are here' — and the Wensum is the one at the heart of it. It's the river that carried the Caen stone from Normandy to build Norwich Cathedral and Norwich Castle, and its banks still hold Cow Tower, part of the city's medieval defences.

Beyond the history, there's a bit of nature to get your head around: the Wensum is one of the world's rare chalk rivers, a habitat found in only around 200 places globally, 85% of them in England. Its upstream reaches were designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1993, and its lower reaches lie within the Broads National Park. The festival is put on with partners including Norfolk Wildlife Trust, The Broads Authority, National Centre for Writing, Norwich Tales and Trails, 185 Drayton Road, Shoot Film Norwich and Just Shoot Film Photolab, with artwork by local illustrator Trish Fried Rice inspired by riverbank life, native wildlife and vintage travel posters.

The programme is spread across the city. Naturalist Nick Acheson gives a talk, Discover the Hidden World of Norwich's Chalk Rivers, at City Hall. Folk on the Water is a waterside performance by the Norwich duo Lassie, playing from a canoe. For the younger ones, there are Riverbank Storytelling sessions with the Wensum Rat Riders in Wensum Park, aimed at ages 4 to 8. And Film Trail: The River Remembers is a 45-minute riverside trail featuring archive films.

It's not all in one place — the events run across the riverside and neighbourhood locations including Wensum Park, Dragon Hall, The Lion's Den, City Hall, Riverside Walk and Sweet Briar Marshes. Every event is free, so you can pick and choose what you fancy across the six days.