Tales from the Riverbank with Clare Balding

In this programme, presenter Clare Balding narrates the histories, myths and cultural significance of Britain’s most celebrated rivers. Her journey commences on the Severn, the nation’s longest waterway, where she begins to explore the river’s enduring influence on the landscape and communities.

The Severn is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls within the genre of factual programming, offering viewers a concise look at one of the United Kingdom’s most recognised waterways. The series title itself signals that the focus will be on Britain’s river systems, with this particular instalment centring on the Severn. In this episode, presenter Clare Balding takes on the role of storyteller, guiding the audience through the narratives that surround the nation’s most iconic rivers. Her narration forms the backbone of the show, linking together the cultural and natural significance of these waterways. The episode’s structure is built around her voice, which introduces each river’s unique character and place in British life. The journey that Balding embarks upon begins on the Severn, the longest river in the country. By starting at the source of the nation’s lengthiest watercourse, the programme sets the tone for an exploration that is both geographical and historical, even though the emphasis remains on the river’s identity as a defining feature of the landscape. The focus on the Severn provides a natural entry point for the series’ broader aim of celebrating Britain’s river heritage. Overall, the episode offers a straightforward yet engaging account of the Severn, using Clare Balding’s narration to bring the river’s story to life for viewers who are interested in the country’s most celebrated waterways.