The River follows the tranquil life of lovable, Cockney, ex-convict Davey Jackson who is lock keeper on the canal near the village of Chumley-on-the-Water.
Cockney Davey Jackson enjoys a quiet life living with his Aunt Maud in the little village of Chumley-on-the-Water. He makes his living as a lock keeper for the village, but his peaceful existence is shattered when bolshy Scotswoman Sarah MacDonald comes through the river one day and ends up in the water after they clash. And as she meets some of the more unusual residents in the village, it seems both of them have something to hide.
Davey is tasked with compiling a team with local residents to compete against neighboring village Bunbury in a cricket match, which is no easy task. Meanwhile, Sarah annoys the passing barges with her painting and her attitude, so Davey challenges her to be nice to someone. But she isn't going to like the person he chooses for her.
Sarah gets a case of the green-eyed monster when she sees Davey talking to a woman on a barge and is determined to find out his background regarding women. But Sarah has her own secret, and when she receives a letter that morning, she refuses to tell Davey what it contains, leading Davey to wonder just what she has to hide.
Sarah kisses Davey while out birdwatching, but she's unable to cope with her burgeoning feelings towards him. Meanwhile, Davey's attractive cousin Sheila comes to visit, and Aunt Betty plots to use her to seduce Davey and tempt him away from Sarah.
Sarah refuses to talk to Davey after discovering cousin Sheila in his bed. And that's not the only hot water Davey's in when he receives a letter from the Water Board, informing him that an Inspector will be arriving to review his position as lock keeper after several complaints.
Davey and Sarah's first time together doesn't go according to plan, leading Sarah to blame herself. And with Aunt Betty causing more mischief to try and split them up, Sarah decides she must leave the village. Can Davey do anything to stop her?
