In the hidden hush of Britain’s riverbanks lives a creature most unassuming, and yet plays a crucial role in the delicate balance of our native ecosystems, The Water Vole.

Once a familiar sight along our canals and streams, this gentle mammal, known fondly to many as ‘Ratty’ from The Wind in the Willows is now a shadow of its former abundance. During the 1990s Britain's water vole population declined by over 80 per cent, and it is now fully protected by law in England and Wales.

But nature, when given a chance, has remarkable resilience.

In this evocative book, beautifully illustrated with full-colour photography, Christine Gregory - naturalist, photographer, and one of the best nature writers in the UK, takes us deep into the secretive world of the water vole, particularly those clinging to survival in the heart of Derbyshire. Through years of observation and quiet patience, she captures not just their habits and habitats, but the connection between people and place. From riverside guardians to conservation pioneers, this is a story of care, revival, and hope.