Winding across the Hampshire countryside are habitats so rare that they are found almost nowhere else on Earth. Beloved by their local communities, the chalk stream sources of the Rivers Test and Itchen are known for their incredible clarity, iconic wildlife, and lush greenery. Rich in history and teeming with life, these waters bring wonder to the landscapes in which they flow.

Earlier this year, we asked Hampshire residents to capture the magic of these streams on camera. The Tales from the Riverbank Photography Competition - part of the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme - offered Heritage, Landscape, People, and Wildlife prizes, with further Young Photographer (under 18) and Community Choice (decided by public vote) awards.

We were honoured to have expert nature photographers Jack Perks and Dick Hawkes joining us as guest judges for the competition. We were also delighted to welcome Megan McCubbin, herself a celebrated young nature photographer, as the judge of our under-18s category. Enormous thanks to all three for sharing their time and insights with us.

The entries we received were amazing, and we were delighted to see so much love for our chalk streams. We're now excited to share the successful photographs - congratulations to our wonderful winners! These images, along with other fantastic entries, will be on display across our scheme area soon. If you're in this area and interested in hosting an exhibition, please get in touch.

First Prize, Heritage Category

‘Autumnal Reflections’ - The Eel House in Alresford
by Stephen Jeffery

“I am a proud Trustee of the Watercress Way charity and spend a lot of time walking along the banks of the River Arle and the River Itchen. On this particular day I noticed a leaf floating down the river; you can just about see it in the foreground of the photograph. I was following it and photographing it on its journey. The Eel House that day looked splendid in the autumn sunshine, with the reflections of the colourful trees in the still water.” 

Second Prize, Heritage Category

‘A Piece of History’ - The Fulling Mill in Alresford
by Harry Bradley

“The Hampshire chalk streams are not an area I have explored much before, but I am always looking for new experiences and unique locations to photograph. I identified some local walks, which followed paths adjacent to the streams. The crystal-clear waters were astonishingly beautiful, perfectly framed by the surrounding scenery, and I am looking forward to exploring more of these areas in the future. The Fulling Mill is a wonderful example of a picturesque thatched cottage, and I was delighted to find a composition that complimented it.” 

First Prize, Landscape Category

'A Dream of a Chalk Stream’ - The River Arle
by Melanie Hill

“I took this photo in August 2020, when we were still under Covid-19 restrictions. I stood on a bridge over the River Arle and spent a long time just watching the water flow along so peacefully. It was wonderfully calming; I felt my anxiety over Covid wash away with the passage of the water.”

Second Prize, Landscape Category

‘White Water’ - A Waterfall on the River Arle
by Harry Bradley

“Whilst walking the river paths around Alresford, I could hear the fast-flowing water rushing over this weir before I could see it. After finding my favoured composition, the significant tree cover helped me achieve an exposure that retained the dynamic nature of this scene. I always find moving water exciting to shoot because the fine balance of settings required makes this a great challenge.” 

First Prize, People Category

‘Live-Streaming’ - Paddling in the River Arle
by Melanie Hill

“I took this photo in the summer of 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place. The children had spent months at home live-streaming their school work and social lives via the internet. Paddling in a crystal-clear, real 'live stream' was so joyous. I remember the children exclaiming as their feet first dipped into the ice-cold, glassy water and their laughter as they went out deeper into the stream. We went home so much happier and with much less weight on our shoulders.” 

Second Prize, People Category

‘Shadow Bay’ - A View of the Cheriton Stream
by Holly Surtees

“I chose to take a photo of this part of the stream because it is the bit where I always get in the water to play. It was fun to see my shadow there - it had already got in to play before I had!”

First Prize, Wildlife Category

‘Slipstream' - A Mallard at Rooksbury Mill
by Tony Matthews 

“I’ve spent time trying to photograph the wildlife on the River Test, but this was my first visit to Rooksbury Mill. Crossing a bridge over the stream, my attention was attracted by the colour of the plants and the light patterns on the water flowing over them. Then, as I watched, some mallards put their heads under the water and started to feed, paddling like fury to hold position. Their brown feathers showed up well against the greens of the plants, and I spent several minutes watching and photographing them.”

Second Prize, Wildlife Category

‘Ratty Meets Ratty’ - Water Voles at Anton Lakes 
by Brian Cartwright

“I walk around Anton Lakes almost every day, looking out especially for the unusual wildlife such as water voles and kingfishers. The stretch of stream adjacent to the lake is an ideal spot to watch for water voles, but the chance to capture two of them is rather unusual.” 

First Prize, Young Photographer Category

‘Golden Delight’ - A Goldcrest at Anton Lakes
by Thomas Eastwood

“I discovered Anton Lakes during the pandemic, which is also the time my interest in wildlife and especially bird photography started; initially just from my garden. Being local to me, the reserve was a place to enjoy a walk and enjoy the wildlife. On this occasion I spotted this goldcrest and persevered while it flew from tree to tree, but I was struggling to be close enough to the subject and find an uncluttered background. Then finally the goldcrest came closer than before and paused for a few moments on the umbellifer, giving me this great shot. I enjoy birding in all environments, and have found the chalk streams a great location to also photograph grey wagtails.”

Second Prize, Young Photographer Category

‘Snack Time’ - A Water Vole at Anton Lakes
by Jez Rolfe

First Prize, Community Choice Category

‘Power, Stamina, and Grace’ - A Brown Trout at Bere Mill
by Ana Peiró

“On the spring bank holiday, my family and I followed the Mill Trail along the Upper Test, starting at Whitchurch Silk Mill. As we crossed the bridge at Bere Mill, we saw a brown trout just below. It was holding stationary against the current for a few seconds, before drifting and then returning to its original position; I wanted to capture that movement in the photo. During our walk, it was very special to see trout in their natural habitat, as well as mallard ducks, moorhens with their chicks, and swans with their cygnets.  We are very lucky to have such beautiful and precious chalk streams, which support a rich diversity of wildlife.” 

Joint Second Prize, Community Choice Category

‘Mum, What’s for Tea?’ - A Water Vole Family in Overton
by Deborah Heath

“This was the first time I had looked for water voles at this point on the Upper Test. I waited for an hour, with nothing to see but coots and moorhens, when I suddenly noticed something moving on the bank. I was delighted to see it was a water vole, feeding on the lush vegetation. I followed as it moved into the water, heading for a hole in the bank. I can’t tell you how surprised I was to see a little head pop out; what a fantastic experience to see the young, and on my first visit too! I have visited several times since and been rewarded with sightings. These little creatures are in decline and the stream banks provide a vital stronghold for them.”

Joint Second Prize, Community Choice Category

‘Claiming Space’ - An Otter at Anton Lakes
by Stephen Williams

“I have been tracking and photographing the River Anton otters for the last two years. On this particular morning one pair were very active; twisting, turning, and rolling like they were in courtship. When otters disappear under the water they can be tracked by their bubble trails, but I chose to keep still as I knew this spot was a favourite for them. To my delight, one surfaced and climbed up a low branch over the water. It actually appeared to smile at me as it scent marked its territory. That morning was special because we also saw three otter cubs and heard their high-pitched calls; I knew they would grow big enough to travel around this time, and was waiting for them to arrive.”

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