London River's Week
2026 Photography competition
London Rivers Week photo competition returns for 2026, led by environmental charity Thames21, with vouchers and many great prizes on offer to the photographer who best captures this year’s theme.
London Rivers Week is a week-long annual campaign inspiring the public to celebrate all of London’s rivers and the many projects taking place to protect them.
Flowing Through the City: Celebrating London’s Rivers and Communities
The overarching theme for 2026 is: “Know Your Local River”
Encouraging Londoners to identify, explore and connect with their nearest river.
London Rivers Week is organised by the London Rivers Week Steering Group on behalf of River Partnerships in London (RiPL). As part of the celebrations of London Rivers Week, we are launching a photography competition with the help of our friend London National Park City.
London Rivers Week is coordinated by Thames21, CPRE London, the Environment Agency, London Wildlife Trust, the South East Rivers Trust, the Thames Estuary Partnership, and ZSL.”
Capture London’s waterscapes
Judges will be looking for uplifting images that capture the beauty and variety of the London’s waterscapes, whether that be landscape, wildlife, rivers, canals, a piece of history, places that heal or replenish or people enjoying London’s wet outdoor spaces. We challenge you to grab your camera or phone, explore the watery side of the capital and capture London’s countryside at its very best. We want to see it all! This year we welcome your interpretation of three categories that represent London Rivers Week main theme ‘ Know your local river’, including the below.
Where We Meet the Water (Community and Connection)
Celebrate the many ways people connect with rivers, canals and wetlands. Share portraits, self-portraits or creative images that reflect your relationship with water, from cultural traditions and everyday rituals to personal moments of joy, rest or reflection. There are no rules here, only your vision. All styles and techniques welcome.
Focus: portraiture, self-expression, cultural identity, personal stories, creative and experimental photography, teamwork, hands-on conservation, environmental leadership, positive impact.
Wild by the Water
Showcase the biodiversity and beauty found along rivers, wetlands and canals.
From striking landscapes to small, easily missed details, highlight the wildlife that
depends on healthy waterways.
Focus: birds, pollinators, aquatic life, plants, urban nature, surprising wildlife moments.
The River Thames Through the Seasons
Capture how the river transforms across spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Explore changing light, weather, wildlife, vegetation and community life along the river throughout the year.
Focus: seasonal colours, migrating birds, frost or flooding, summer activity, quiet winter reflections.
prizes
Our overall winner recieved a FUJIFILM X half camera, a £50 M&S Gift Card and everything (except the gift voucher) in the runners-up prize bundle
Prize bundles for two runners up were
- An instax Link WIDE™ printer with film
- A paperback copy of Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
- £25 M&S Gift Card
