River Ure

The River Ure winds through North Yorkshire like it's got nowhere to be, and that's rather the point. You won't find a ticket booth or visitor centre - this is a proper river, doing what rivers do, and the walking is free.

From Thirsk, it's a straightforward drive to any number of riverside spots. The river's best experienced on foot, tracing its path through meadows and past stone-built villages that feel like they've been here since the Romans left. Depending on where you access it, you might walk for twenty minutes or three hours - the choice is yours. The water moves gently enough that you can spot trout if you're patient, and in spring the banks erupt with wild garlic.

This is walkers' territory, full stop. Families with young kids will manage shorter stretches, but anyone with proper legs and an interest in Yorkshire's quieter side will find the Ure rewarding. The river connects several market towns, so you can build a proper day out - walk a section, grab lunch, walk another bit.

Stay at Riverside Meadows, just six miles away near Thirsk, and you're positioned nicely for both river walks and exploring the wider countryside. Allow between two and four hours depending on the route you choose. Go in late May or June when the light lingers and the banks are lush, or autumn when the water runs clearer and the crowds thin out entirely.