There is little more grounding than walking along a river. Scientists have shown that spending time near bodies of water, particularly while exercising, can boost your overall health and mood. In this episode of Waterlands, Megan McCubbin takes us on a journey to a remote and secret river in rural Wales followed by a city centre river in Cardiff.

Three different river walkers explain why they do it and how it has changed their life. First up, television presenter (and president of WWT) Kate Humble shares her very special walk home with her trusty companion Teg, from the source of the River Wye to where it joins the River Severn near her home. 

The writer, Helia Phoenix takes us on a guided meditation and shares her story of ADHD breakdown, diagnosis and recovery, explaining how mindful walking along the River Taff, helped her access the simple beauty all around -  the colour of the wall or the sudden crash-landing of a duck onto water. 

And Li An Phoa of Drinkable Rivers has been walking for the last ten years for another reason – to bring awareness to her cause, to kick-start a coalition of the willing around each river that she visits, and because she made a promise to the Rupert River in Canada, to do all she could to return to a world with drinkable rivers.

Featuring: Kate Humble, Helia Phoenix and Li An Phoa. Presented by Megan McCubbin

If this episode has inspired you to take action for wetlands or discover more about our rivers, visit wwt.org.uk.

Waterlands is brought to you by WWT. It’s an 18Sixty production, produced by Ellie Richold, mixed by Melvin Rickarby and original music by Noah Bloom.