Family activities at this year’s Great Stour RiverFest, Canterbury, including duck race and free tours

A festival celebrating one of the county’s longest waterways is back for the third year.

The Great Stour RiverFest will see thousands of visitors flock to the riverbanks in and around Canterbury for guided walks and boat tours.

The festival kicks off with the long-running Canterbury Duck Race, which has been part of the city’s autumn calendar for 25 years.

Countless yellow ducks will be sent floating down the river from Westgate Gardens as part of the free, family-friendly race.

The programme then continues for eight days with events taking place both on and off the water.

The schedule includes nature trails where you can spot the wildlife living near the river; guided walks around Westgate Parks and Hambrook Marshes; and boat tours that take guests past sights such as the Franciscan Gardens, Solly’s Orchard and Abbott’s Mill.

There will also be outdoor taster sessions in activities like yoga, Tai Chi and chalk drawing, along with craft markets and fairs.

The Great Stour RiverFest opens on Sunday, September 21 and will continue until Sunday, September 28. You can find the full festival programme here.

Many of the events are free, but some are ticketed and must be booked online in advance.