There’s something magical about walking beside a chalk stream in summer. Sunlight flickers through the trees. You hear the soft sound of flowing water. Dragonflies dance in the air. It’s nature at its best.
One of the finest examples of these rare streams is the River Ver.
This summer, we’re inviting you to discover the Ver Valley Trail. It’s a peaceful walking route that takes you through beautiful countryside and one of the UK’s rare chalk stream landscapes.
Whether you love long hikes or just enjoy a gentle weekend stroll, the Ver Valley Trail is the perfect place to relax, enjoy the view, and connect with nature.
But walking here isn’t just good for you, it helps protect something truly special.
Why the River Ver matters
The River Ver is a chalk stream. That makes it globally rare. There are only around 200 chalk streams in the world, and most of them are here in England.
Like many rivers, the Ver is under pressure from multiple sources. But instead of turning away from these issues, we believe it’s important to face them, one step at a time.
When you walk the Ver Valley Trail, you’re helping more people see just how important this river is. You’re showing that it’s worth protecting.
Walk the Eco-Friendly way
You can enjoy your river walk and help the environment at the same time. Here’s how:
1. Bring a reusable water bottle
Keep hydrated and cut down on plastic waste.
2. Stick to marked paths
Protect the plants and animals that live near the river.
3. Take your litter home
Food waste can harm wildlife. Leave nothing behind.
4. Keep dogs out of the river
The Ver is fragile. Only let dogs paddle where signs say it’s okay.
5. Report invasive species
If you spot something unusual, like Himalayan balsam or floating pennywort, you can report it through Inns Mapper.
6. Share the beauty!
Snap a photo and tag @AffinityWater with #TheStreamExperience – we’d love to see your view of the Ver.
What we’re doing to help the Ver
At Affinity Water, we've done and continue to do a lot to support the Ver’s recovery:
We’ve restored over a kilometre of the Ver at places like Hedges Farm and Friars Wash. We improved the flow, added gravel and plants, and kept livestock away from the river. We’ve also carried out tree work to let more natural light reach the river, helping plants and wildlife thrive.
Before
After
We’ve teamed up with the Ver Valley Society to remove invasive plants such as Himalayan Balsam and add wildflowers, trees, and natural features to help wildlife.
Our Water in the Landscape Fund helps farmers and landowners add natural solutions that protect the river and local water sources.
At Verulamium Park, we worked with the Environment Agency to build wetlands. These areas manage floods and improve biodiversity.
We’re taking less water from the River Ver catchment than ever before, and have reduced abstraction by over 28 million litres of water a day since 1990. By upgrading our infrastructure and improving how we manage demand, we’re leaving more water in the local environment.
These are just some of the projects we’ve delivered. And there’s more to come.
Walk it, love it, share it
So this summer, grab your walking shoes, pack a picnic in a reusable box, and head to the River Ver.
It’s a walk full of wildlife, history, and hope.
Share your photos with us by tagging @AffinityWater and using #TheStreamExperience. Whether it’s a peaceful view, a family day out, or a glimpse of local wildlife – we’d love to see it.
Because once you’ve walked beside the River Ver, you’ll understand why it’s worth protecting.
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