The map of the UK is etched with the spidery lines of thousands of rivers and streams, from the mighty Severn (the longest at 220 miles) to the humble tributaries that start life in our mountains and marshlands, gathering volume as they journey seawards. Man-made waterways, the canals that were the transportation miracle of the 18th century, similarly inform our country's geography, often linking river to river. With all this watery abundance, it's no surprise that over half the UK population lives within five miles of a canal or river.
For some of us, though, that's not quite close enough - we dream of a waterside home. This may mean a house beside the water, such as one of the many homes in the Norfolk Broads, or could simply be a home in a village where a river is the constant backdrop to life. Much of the pollution that formerly blighted them has been cleaned and, today, rivers teem with life, while canal regeneration projects have uncovered scenic towpaths and forgotten views.
The appeal is great. Whether they course through the heart of a village, like the Ure in Hawes, Wensleydale, or flow alongside a market town, like the Wye in Hay on the Welsh border, rivers bring character to any settlement. They reflect the seasons and weather and are bound up with the history of the place, in many cases, lending their name to it, too.

Is a riverside retreat for YOU?

Outdoor activities
Rivers and canals provide ample opportunity for exercise and fun, including boating, canoeing, bird watching, fishing and swimming. In addition, riverbanks and canal towpaths offer miles of traffic-free, picturesque walking.

Romance
From Wind In The Willows to The Mill On The Floss; Constable's paintings of Flatford Mill to Wordsworth's childhood accounts of making 'one long bathing of a summer's day' in a mill race off the Derwent, rivers have snaked their way through our collective imagination for centuries.

Flooding
Some 6.5million homes in Britain are at risk. Insurance premiums for flood-risk houses have soared in recent years and choice of provider may be restricted.

Heritage
As crucial landmarks, rivers have been the site of many historic battles, while their value as a water supply meant that abbeys, castles and market towns were often sited along their banks. They provided power for mills, were an essential transportation network and are peppered with architecture that speaks of our pre- and post-industrial past.

House prices
Scarcity of property near rivers, especially those with moorings, means that hunting or one takes patience, and desirability drives up prices in non-flood-risk areas.

Wildlife
Rivers teem with different species, from insects and fish to illusive otters and endangered voles, elegant herons and diving dippers. Live near one and you can play your part in conservation by reporting sightings of interesting wildlife or growth of invasive plants to your local biological records centre.

Moorings
Some riverside properties come with their own moorings, where you can keep anything from a rowing boat to a cruising pleasure craft or canal boat, depending on location.