A Family Afternoon by the River - Stories, Nature & Wild Things

Sun May 10 2026 at 03:30 pm to 05:30 pm UTC+01:00

Howsham Bridge | York

Kemps Books & Kemps General Store
Publisher/HostKemps Books & Kemps General Store
A Family Afternoon by the River - Stories, Nature & Wild Things
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Join us for a very special afternoon celebrating the beauty of the River Derwent with three wonderful, nature-loving authors.
About this Event


A Family Afternoon by the River

Stories, Nature & Wild Things with Amy-Jane Beer, Sarah Banks & Lucy Lapwing

Howsham Mill YO60 7PA
Sunday 10th May

From 3.30pm (arrival from 3pm)

Join us for a very special afternoon celebrating the beauty of the River Derwent with two wonderful, nature-loving authors.

Amy-Jane Beer will read from her enchanting new children’s picture book A River Running Through You, followed by relaxed, family-friendly nature activities.

Then Amy is joined by Lucy Lapwing, whose debut Love is a Toad has just been published, for a warm and lively conversation about nature, storytelling and a shared love of the wild. There’s local interest too, a chapter devoted to a summer swim on the Derwent with Amy.

Lucy will be familiar to many from BBC Springwatch, where her handmade props and inventive storytelling have become a much-loved feature. She also brings a strong and engaged following from her popular social media presence, where her passion for wildlife and curiosity about the natural world shines through.

Later in the afternoon, we’re delighted to be joined by Sarah Banks, author of Wild Swimming Walks in Yorkshire, who will be on hand to answer questions and share her knowledge of Yorkshire’s best wild swimming locations.

A gentle, joyful afternoon outdoors
Perfect for families, nature lovers and curious minds
Optional river swim afterwards (weather and flow permitting-grown-ups only)
Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it

With a beautiful riverside setting and two brilliant voices in nature writing, this promises to be a truly special, relaxed Kemps event.

Family ticket (2 adults + up to 2 children): £10

Additional children: £2

Adult ticket: £5

Children must be accompanied at all times.

More details available when booking.


Howsham Mill is located 9 miles north-east of York, 3 miles from the A64. Exit the A64 signposted to Barton-Le-Willows (opposite direction to Castle Howard) and follow the road signs towards Howsham. After crossing the large stone bridge over the River Derwent, the car park is immediately on the right, opposite the gates to Howsham Hall. The car park is only open when the mill is open. Continue on foot: The footpath leads you under the bridge and along the riverbank to the mill island. The footpath is suitable for most wheelchairs, though access from the road is difficult. Wheelchair users will usually need to use the car park.

Howsham Mill is situated on an island accessed by a woodland path, surrounded by water and is subject to occasional flooding. If the Environment Agency website warns of flooding at Buttercrambe, the mill will be inaccessible. Young children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Googlemaps

Search ‘Howsham Bridge’ for directions to our carpark.

what3words

If using the website / app what3words these are the details you need:

Car park: ///acting.artichoke.unites

Mill building door: ///mattress.supplied.flop

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Howsham Bridge, Unnamed Road, York, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 2.88 to GBP 11.55

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