19 River Severn Facts: The Longest River In The United Kingdom!

River Severn, the longest river in the United Kingdom, is a majestic and mystical river that has fascinated people for generations.

The Severn Sea, which happens to be the lower estuary of the Severn River, relates to the Severn bore. It meets the North Atlantic Ocean at the end of the route.

The offshoot of River Severn is the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in England. The source of River Severn happens to inhabit a peat bog which is essentially a wetland. Under the estuary of the River Severn, we have the Severn Tunnel (or Twnnel Hafren in Welsh), a railway tunnel that is still in use!

The lower limit of the River Severn and the start of the Severn estuary is known as the Second Severn Crossing. The Ironbridge Gorge near Shropshire which is famous for being a symbol of the industrial revolution is near River Severn. A very peculiar sounding Welsh village called Seven Sisters in South Wales is also on the banks of the River Severn.

Severn River runs for 220 mi (352 km), starting from the beautiful Welsh mountains to the Severn estuary. The Welsh County of Shropshire, situated near Mid Wales is a famous county near River Severn. Mid Wales also has a dense forest called the Hafren Forest which is very beautiful! Welsh counties of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire are also on the banks of Severn; Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire and are famous for various reasons!

The River Severn is home to a tidal island by the name of Chapel Rock. Shrewsbury county is home to the Dingle Gardens, situated on the bank of River Severn. The Welsh name for River Severn is Afon Hafren meaning physical boundary. River Severn happens to get its name from the Latin word Sabrina which was later adapted to Severn, also meaning physical boundary. Let us try and find out some more River Severn facts and understand this river better. Afterward, also check River Wye facts and River Wear facts.

Mythology: River Severn

The famous Severn Bore is a tidal bore formed due to tides flowing (a tidal bore is a natural phenomenon due to tides flowing). Fishing happens to be a popular activity taking place in the River Severn.

The name River Severn comes from the mythical character Sabrina which is a Latin term adopted by Romans. The River Severn flows through Worcestershire to Gloucestershire having to flow from Shropshire as well!

The introduction of Sabrina dates back to Geoffrey of Monmouth’s The History of the Kings of Britain. The story flows through the narrative in a comprehensive way; it states that King Locrinus betrayed his wife, Gwendolen, leaving her alone and going to have another child from another woman whose name is a mystery.

The child born was named Sabrina (which is in Latin, Severn is the English translation, Hafren is in the Welsh language).

This child and the mother of the child were drowned by Gwendolen (the king’s wife) in the river; that river is the River Severn. The legend of the river further continues and it states that Sabrina became the nymph of the river; in Greek mythology, nymphs are female divine characters who hold power within them, essentially making Sabrina a goddess.

Sabrina is often referred to as an agent of freedom; freedom from an oppressive patriarchal society that likes to discriminate against women. Hence, Sabrina is seen as a powerful and majestic character who broke the shackles of unfair oppression and died a heroic death, giving faith to future generations!

Cartography: River Severn

River Severn has been a part of one of the most famous video game franchises ever, namely Assassin’s Creed. External websites come in handy for this game.

Various external websites tell you the exact locations in the game where you can find the map to successfully navigate the River Severn. That is one place where cartography can be really useful! We will however try and find River Severn facts for the real world!

Tributaries are rivers flowing into larger rivers. Tributaries of the River Severn include the River Vyrnwy and the River Teme among others.

Let us look at where the tributaries are and where they join the River Severn!

Vyrnwy: Falls into Severn at Melverley, Shropshire.

Afon Clywedog: Falls into Severn near Llanidloes.

Camlad: Falls into the Severn near Camlad.

River Tern: Falls into the Severn at Attingham Park.

Perry: Falls into the Severn at Montford Bridge.

Borle Brook: Falls into the Severn at Arley.

Cound Brook: Falls into the Severn at Eyton on Severn.

Salwarpe: Falls into the Severn near Worcester.

Worfe: Falls into the Severn near Bridgnorth.

Sheinton Brook : Falls into the Severn at Sheinton.

Warwickshire Avon: Falls into the Severn at Tewkesbury.

Bristol Avon: Joins the Severn River through the Avon Gorge.

Dowles Brook: Falls into the Severn near Kidderminster.

Teme: Falls into the Severn near Worcester.

Wye: Falls into the Severn at Chepstow.

River Usk: Joins the Severn estuary just south of Newport.

Leadon: Falls into the Severn at Over.

Frome: Falls into the Severn at Upper Framilode.

Stour: Falls into the Severn at Stourport-on-Severn.

Chelt: Falls into the River Severn at Wainlode.

Rea Brook: Falls into the Severn at Shrewsbury.

Stream Rivers

The River Severn bore is popular for being very unique. The famous Severn bore is a natural gift given to us by high tides from rivers. The high tides tend to rise during the spring and autumn seasons. They produce high bores.

The Bristol channel has prominence with the River Severn finally emptying in the Bristol Channel.

The Severn estuary is a massive estuary. The tidal range in this massive estuary is about 50 ft (15 m) in height which is why harnessing renewable energy from this estuary is important! The Severn estuary is also the mouth of the river.

Let us make a list as we made before for all the rivers that stream alongside or deposit right into the River Severn. Did you know that the Welsh Bridge is an arch viaduct that crosses over the River Severn!

Vyrnwy: It flows through Shropshire, England, and Wales. A reservoir with the same name happens to be in Wales!

Afon Clywedog: Situated in Wales, the rainfall in the catchment area is huge.

Camlad: Forms partly the border of England and Wales.

Stour: Situated in Worcestershire county; stour means to stir or stirring.

Salwarpe: Salwarpe is a small parish.

Worfe: The old English origins of this suggest the meaning wander.

Warwickshire Avon: A river in England also called Shakespeare’s Avon.

Teme: In Mid Wales, roughly forms the border between England and Wales.

Wye: The 4th longest river in the UK, stretching to 155 mi (250 km).

Frome: Originally named as Froom, near the Bristol Channel.

The Severn River has these other rivers which include - rivers Tern, Perry, Bristol Avon, Usk, Leadon, and Chelt, finally emptying in the Bristol channel.

Transportation Around: River Severn

The River Severn also passes through the Cambrian Mountains. The Cambrian Mountains’ ranges are called the Desert of Wales.

This makes us wonder about the transportation methods that exist in and around the region of the River Severn. Let us find out!

River Severn is home to a heritage railway which is known as the Severn Valley Railway. This is a 16 mi (25.6 km) railway line that passes through the Victor Bridge too!

A common term called Severn crossing is used around the region which signifies motorway crossings between England and Wales.

Did you know? There was a bridge by the name of Severn Railway Bridge between the regions of Lydney and Sharpness in Gloucestershire; Gloucestershire happens for its village areas that are very beautiful!

The Severn Tunnel is a railway tunnel that is still in operation today. This tunnel was actually started in 1886 and it is the longest main line tunnel in the UK.

You can actually row across the whole region of the Severn River. The Severn River is a very navigable region which has various tributaries in which you can travel!

The modern techniques of travel across the Severn River include canoes, kayaks, and powerboats which are used in the lower reaches of the region.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for River Severn facts then why not take a look at River Tweed facts, or River Jordan facts.