All aboard for York’s Festival of Ideas as City Cruises leads journey towards York’s river trails launch on River Ouse

One of York attraction staple City Cruises’ boats became home to a new experience last week, as residents, partners and contributors came together on the River Ouse to help shape the York rivers trail.

The event, held as part of the York Festival of Ideas, invited participants onto a City Cruise for a curated journey through the city. From the river itself, attendees experienced stories of nature, heritage and adaptation.

Jack Barton, Marketing Manager at City Cruises York, said:
“We’re proud to have supported this event by welcoming participants on board and providing a different perspective on the River Ouse.

“Experiencing the river from the water offers something unique – it allows people to slow down, take in their surroundings and see the city from a new angle. That made it the perfect setting for an event focused on reflection, connection and shared understanding.”

Designed to help people see York’s rivers differently, the event took attendees down the River Ouse from King’s Staith Landing to explore how York has lived with water over time, giving time to pause, reflect, take in the views and hear from project partners and contributors.

Councillor Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, said:
“York’s rivers have always shaped our city. The York Rivers trail illuminates this history, and explains how natural flood management such as tree planting, hedge laying and mimicking beaver style dams can help slow the flow here in York.

It has been a pleasure to hear directly from everyone involved.”

The York rivers trail has been in development since 2025, working with partners, schools and communities across the catchment. Insights gathered through events like this will continue to shape the trail as it evolves before and beyond its summer 2026 launch.

The Festival of Ideas event is part of a wider programme of engagement activity taking place throughout June, as the trail continues to develop ahead of its summer 2026 launch.

To explore the city’s waterways, book a York Sightseeing Cruise with City Cruises: https://www.cityexperiences.com/york/city-cruises/york-city-cruise/