England’s Beautiful Rivers: Explore Our Waterways
England’s rivers quietly shape the places we live, winding through countryside and city. They bring life to our gardens, offer peaceful places for picnics, and provide a home for wildlife. There’s more to these waters than just pretty views.
Let’s get to know some of England’s beautiful rivers, discover the types and habitats they support, and see easy ways you can help keep them clean and healthy.
If walking nearby, follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
Also read about the Thames River.
Bristol Avon River (75 miles) begins in the hills near the village of Acton Turville in south west England, flowing through several towns and the city of Bath. Before reaching the city of Bristol and flowing into the sea at the Severn Estuary.
River Severn (220 miles). This is England’s longest river that starts in the Welsh Cambrian Mountains, flows through Shrewsbury, Worcester and Gloucester, before reaching the sea at Bristol.
River Trent (185 miles). This flows through central England, beginning in Staffordshire and ending up again in the North Sea (Humber Estuary).
River Great Ouse (143 miles). This begins in a village (Syresham) in Northamptonshire, then flows through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, before ending up in the Wash, on the east coast.
River Wye (135 miles). This begins in Plynlimon (Wales), then flows through hills and woods, almost a gentle border between Wales and England. Before joining the River Severn in Chepstow (bordering Monmouthshire with Gloucestershire).
River Ure/River Ouse (combined 129 miles). These are two North Yorkshire rivers that flow into the other. The River Ure begins in the Yorkshire Dales, then as it reaches York, it becomes the River Ouse.
River Nene (100 miles). This begins in Badby (a village in Northamptonshire) and runs through Northampton, Wellingborough and Peterborough, before again ending up in the North Sea.
River Tweed (96 miles) is a river that begins in the Scottish hills, then travels for 97 miles, before reaching England for the last few miles, at Berwick-upon-Tweed (Northumberland). The river forms a border between the two countries.
River Eden (90 miles). This begins in the Cumbrian hills, then flows through the city of Carlisle, before reaching the Solway Firth, an inlet forming a natural border with Scotland (and quite close to the Isle of Man).
River Witham (82 miles) begins in South Witham (a Lincolnshire village) before flowing through the city of Lincoln, and again reaching the North Sea at The Wash. Brayford Pool is an inland harbour, formed when the river naturally widens.
River Teme (81 miles) again forms a border between Wales and England, passing through the towns of Knighton, Ludlow and Tenbury Wells, before joining the River Severn in Worcester.
River Ribble (75 miles) begins in Ribblehead (North Yorkshire) and flows through Settle, Clitheroe and Preston, before reaching the Irish Sea (close to Lytham, near Blackpool).
River Tyne (73 miles) begins where two small rivers meet near Hexham (Northumberland). It moves east towards the North Sea, passing through Newcastle and ending between the towns of Tynemouth and South Shields.
River Derwent (72 miles) is a tributary of the River Trent, flowing through Derbyshire and Yorkshire, covering parts of the Peak District. A tributary is simply a small river that flows into a bigger one. It helps to ‘fill up’ the larger river, and keep it flowing.
River Aire (71 miles) begins in the Yorkshire Dales, and passes through several towns and cities including Leeds and Castleford. It then flows to join the River Ouse.
River Tees (70 miles) begins in the Pennine Hills, and starts off very steep (it includes High Force, one of England’s highest waterfalls). Before moving along flatter land, it passes through Middleborough and Barnard Castle, before reaching the North Sea.
River Medway (70 miles) begins in Sussex and moves through Kent towns (Tonbridge, Maidstone and Rochester) before reaching again the North Sea.
River Mersey (70 miles) begins in Stockport (Cheshire) when small rivers join up, to flow through Manchester and Liverpool. It then flows out to to the Irish Sea. This river is very well-known, thanks to the song ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’.
River Don (70 miles) begins in the Pennine Hills, then flows through South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster). Today the river is cleaner than it used to be, as it was very polluted due to the factory pollution, during the Industrial Revolution.
