London Rivers Week 2026 Photography Competition
To mark London Rivers Week 2026, Thames21 is launching a photography competition celebrating the vital role that rivers play in the life of our city. The competition aims to highlight the beauty, diversity, and importance of London’s waterways, as well as the people and wildlife that depend on them.
We are delighted to be partnering with our friends at London National Park City to deliver this initiative.
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.
London Rivers Week is organised by the London Rivers Week Steering Group on behalf of River Partnerships in London (RiPL). London Rivers Week is coordinated by Thames21 in collaboration with 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 richness and variety of London’s waterscapes – from sweeping river landscapes and quiet canals to vibrant wildlife, historic waterside scenes, places of restoration and reflection, and people enjoying London’s blue and green 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.
Competition Categories
All entries should fall within one category and a winner will be chosen from each.
Entries close on Friday 1st May 2026.
Winners will be announced at an event at the Leaside Centre by the River Lea on 26th May.
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.
Enter the competition HERE
Competition entry is free, and entrants can enter up to three photographs, one in each category.
Entries close on Friday 1st May 2026. The winner will be announced on 26th May.
Please view Terms and Conditions here