River (Amberley Publishing)

The River Mimram rises from a spring to the north-west of Whitwell in North Hertfordshire and makes its confluence with the River Lea near Horn's Hill. The river is the subject of a Stevie Smith poem, 'The River God'. It is thought that the name is derived from a Celtic river god, although there has been little etymological research into the name. There is little doubt, however, that the river has been used through the centuries for a number of different purposes, including cress beds which have existed since Roman times. The river flows through two major Hertfordshire towns, including Hertford and Welwyn Garden City, and both have been greatly influenced by the river. Other themes touched upon include history, folklore and flora and fauna. Illustrated throughout, this is a must have for anybody who knows and loves this enchanting river.

The Taff is one of the iconic rivers of Wales. It flows south from the highest peaks of the remote Brecon Beacons, following an interesting and varied route to Cardiff Bay. This stunning photographic journey gives an insight into the river's many facets, contrasting rural backwaters with urban landscapes, industrial heritage with unspoilt nature, inland with maritime. This book explores the river's history and hidden secrets and documents how people both past and present have interacted with it, from Isambard Kingdom Brunel to fly fishers and adrenalin seekers. We travel along the river via the 89-kilometre Taff Trail, passing reservoirs, dramatic waterfalls, stunning mountain backdrops and numerous historic bridges. Wonder at the heritage of the former South Wales mining area and watch as the river enters the tree-cloaked Taff Gorge via a legend-rich thermal spring. The book illustrates beautifully how the river meanders through woods and meadows before approaching the bright lights of Cardiff, terminating at the visually stunning Cardiff Bay. Many of the region's famous landmarks are located alongside the river, and are thus explored in this book. They include Castell Coch, Garth Hill, Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium.

The River Derwent in Cumbria is one of the fastest rivers in Europe. It is also one of the most beautiful, and it flows through fantastic and varied countryside from its source in the heart of the Lake District. The name Derwent translates as 'oak river' and/or 'river of oaks'; it is an ancient name. There is evidence of occupation and industry along the river from the Iron Age onwards, and industry still uses its power and speed as a water source. A fine and famous salmon river, the River Derwent was sometimes called 'the river of saints and sinners', as it was used by smugglers as well as clerics. Beginning at the river mouth, we follow the river through the port of Workington, through the lavish countryside of Cumbria to its source amidst the dramatic mountainous splendour of Borrowdale. Along the way, H. C. Ivison brings to light tales and stories of fascinating events, landmarks and people. River Derwent: From Sea to Source is essential reading for anyone who knows this river well, and also for those who are visiting the River Derwent for the first time.

The story of the River Tees is one that combines tales of Roman forts, mythical beings and manufacturing heartlands. Fascinating boom towns, brilliant bridges, areas of outstanding natural beauty and striking industrial heritage have characterised the Tees over the centuries. The river has also played an important part in shaping the identities of the areas that exist alongside it, playing a central role in everyday life. Authors Tosh Warwick and Jenny Parker take us on a journey along the Tees, unveiling the natural beauty, manufacturing history and fascinating stories of the 'steel river'.

The River Cherwell carves its way through a broad, deep valley that runs north to south, starting a few miles above the market town of Banbury and continuing down as far as the university city of Oxford, bending and twisting, meeting up sometimes with the Oxford Canal and parting company again as they reach the city outskirts. It is joined by Sor Brook and the River Swere from the west near Adderbury, and the River Ray from the east at Islip. After flowing through college meadows it then becomes a major tributary of the River Thames, having travelled some 40 miles in total. The Cherwell Valley has witnessed plenty of activity since folk first started to settle along its length. During this time, it has managed to retain its traditional habitats of floodplain, pastures and meadows, ancient hedgerows, pollarded trees and broadleaved woodland. River Cherwell is essential reading for anyone who knows this river well, and also for those who are visiting the river for the first time.

THE RIVER WELLAND has been a main waterway through South Lincolnshire for centuries, flowing through Stamford, Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Crowland, Spalding and finally out to the sea at Fosdyke. This beautifully illustrated book is concerned principally with the role the Welland has played on its journey through the Deepings. Dorothea Price explores the history of the river prior to the Canal Age, then in the heyday of river commerce in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when the section between Stamford and Deeping St James was canalised, and finally in more recent times.

Below the northern face of Cleeve Hill, a spring brings water to the surface. Here, the River Isbourne begins its journey. Within a matter of feet, the water is put to its first use by mankind. This book is a record of how, over the last thousand years, a small country river has been put to use by the local communities. The most common use of the river has been for watermills, with twenty-two sites identified, but many other diverse uses have also been found for the water of the River Isbourne, from swimming pools to tanning, and from ducking stools to 300-foot-high fountains. Little has been written about the mills of northern Gloucestershire and southern Worcestershire. Mike Lovatt provides details of the mills and the other uses on one river in the area so that this information at least is preserved for future generations. Within the pages of this fascinating, well-illustrated book, the reader is transported down the River Isbourne, from where it rises high on the Cotswold slopes and flows through the towns and villages of north Gloucestershire and south Worcestershire to where it somewhat insignificantly slides into the Avon at Evesham.

THE RIVER DOVE in Derbyshire has been attracting visitors for centuries. Today, protected as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', Dovedale is still one of the most visited tourist sites in Britain. But just twelve miles upstream, where the Dove rises on Axe Edge Moor near Buxton, the scene couldn't be more different. Jayne Darbyshire takes the reader on a journey along the entire length of the Dove, as she winds from desolate gritstone moors through spectacularly carved limestone dales, past the bustling market town of Ashbourne to her eventual confluence with the Trent. This beautifully illustrated and informative book allows the reader to submerge themselves in the vast wealth of history, folklore and outstanding beauty that lies along the Dove.

The Clyde is a river of global importance – it was once the world's pre-eminent ship-building centre and a major trade hub for the British Empire. This book will explore the history, culture and geography of the river, from its source, in the remote southern uplands, to the city of Glasgow via Scotland's industrial heartland, and on to where it meets the sea in the beautiful Firth of Clyde. The Clyde rises in a relatively unknown, but ruggedly beautiful, part of the southern uplands. It meanders through moor and picturesque farmland that belies a very active mining past. Our journey takes us past the Falls of Clyde – a spectacular beauty spot and now a UNESCO World Heritage site – and past the mausoleum of Hamilton Palace, one of the grandest country houses ever built in Britain. Then the river reaches Glasgow itself. Beautiful river bridges, stations and riverfront buildings tell the story of the 'Second City of the Empire'. Over 25,000 ships have been built on the Clyde, including famous oceangoing liners such as the Queen Mary. Today the shipyards specialise in the construction of technologically advanced warships. The Clyde's trade in tobacco and sugar generated wealth that built the elegant streets of Glasgow. The river also runs right past two of the Commonwealth Games venues. The beautiful Firth of Clyde is home to many points of interest including islands, Second World War torpedo ranges, nuclear submarine bases and beautiful mountains.

'Water is Life and Heaven's Gift. Here Rivers Goyt and Tame Become Mersey. Flowing Clear From Stockport to the Sea' The Mersey springs to life in the centre of Stockport, fed by the Tame and Goyt rivers, which tumble down from the heart of the Peak District and the wild moors of the Pennines. Its 70-mile journey to the sea takes it through industrial and commercial landscapes, leafy residential suburbs, ancient water meadows, protected wetlands and the wide expanse of its tidal estuary. It enters the Irish Sea at Liverpool Bay, having emerged between the Port of Liverpool and the former seaside resort of New Brighton on the Wirral. This unique record, illustrated with new and original photographs, maps and old pictures, charts the journey of one of the world's most iconic rivers. It will appeal to all who live and work within its catchment, as well as visitors from the UK and abroad.

From a water-laden bog in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales to the mighty Bristol Channel, the River Severn carves its way through some of the most picturesque and varied landscapes in the country. River Severn: From Source to Sea follows the entire course of the river, describing its relationship with the surrounding countryside and how it has shaped local inhabitants' lives for centuries. A rivulet surfacing on the slopes of Plynlimon marks the beginning of the Severn, known here by its Welsh name Afon Hafren. The youthful Severn passes through rich sheep-rearing hillsides in Wales, before crossing the Marches into England and Shropshire. Here the Severn sheds its Welsh name as it meanders into the former border stronghold of Shrewsbury. Beyond, the Severn enters the Ironbridge Gorge, the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. It meets Bridgnorth, known for its association with the Severn Valley Railway, the Georgian town of Bewdley, historic Worcester, and picturesque Tewkesbury, where it is joined by the River Avon, before flowing through the Vale of Gloucester. The Severn meets the River Wye at Chepstow and finally ends its 220-mile journey at Avonmouth. Illustrated with stunning photography, River Severn: From Source to Sea conveys the topographical and historical importance of the river. Passing through pastoral scenes, Roman cities and medieval fortresses and driving modern industry, the Severn acts as a metaphor for the changing nature of Britain through the ages.

For some the River Trent is synonymous with a northern Staffordshire city, for others the hub of the ceramics industry, perhaps the heart of the brewing world or a famous bridge near a famous cricket ground. But it's more than all of these combined, its magnitude unmatched anywhere in England. Deriving from Old English meaning 'the wanderer' or 'the invader', the River Trent carries more water to the sea than other river in the country. Tumbling more than a thousand feet at the southern extremity of the Pennines, it then glides through Trentham and onto Newark. But don't be fooled by its silvery, sleek nature, for beneath the surface the current is deceptively strong. A fascinating 230-mile-long trek can be made on foot along the riverbanks. Join author Tony Hewitt as he reverses the common trend and approaches the river from the sea, charting its dynamic journey to its source.

The River Medway travels through the highly populated areas of Gillingham, Chatham, Maidstone and Tonbridge, among a number of other smaller towns and villages. Married to the Thames, the Medway has a rich and varied history. Ancient sites are plentiful along the River Medway; Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman evidence can all be found. Two military battles have also been named after the river: the Battle of the Medway during the Roman invasion of Britain; and the Raid on the Medway, which took place during the second Anglo-Dutch War. Today this heritage is celebrated with the Maidstone River Festival, which has been running for over thirty years. The River Medway is also used by many for recreational activities, including clubs and societies who use the water for paddling and other water sports. With all the Medway has to offer, including pubs, walking routes, wildlife, sites of historical interest and flora and fauna, this river is a delight for anyone who embarks upon its fabulous waters.

This book seeks to explore the River Tyne as it runs from source to sea, using old and contemporary photographs together with postcards to explore the communities, settlements and industries that have existed along its course. The river is formed from the tributaries of the North and South Tyne rivers, which rise in the Scottish Borders and Cumbria respectively. Running for a total of around 120 miles, the waters of the Tyne pass through the moorlands of the counties of Cumbria and Northumberland, through fine agricultural lands, passing many market towns before entering industrial Tyneside and eventually flowing into the North Sea, at the aptly named village of Tynemouth. The Tyne is the lifeblood of many of the communities that sit on its banks; Newcastle upon Tyne may never have existed if the invading Roman Army, under Emperor Hadrian, had not chosen to build the bridge at that particular point on the river in AD 122. The Tyne is a delight for anyone embarking on its exploration.

The River Don in South Yorkshire flows through a changing landscape. Along with the River Rother and the River Dearne, it forms a river system with a catchment of around 700 square miles and a population of over 1.5 million. The upper reaches of the river are defined by dams which provide a public water supply. The middle section contains a number of weirs to supply mills, foundries and cutlers' wheels. The lower section contains weirs and locks to maintain the water levels for navigation. Over the course of time, the Don has suffered some very notable floods. In 1536, the forces of the Pilgrimage of Grace were prevented from crossing the river at Doncaster due to flooding, and they subsequently had to enter into negotiations with the King's forces. In 1864, the Great Sheffield Flood destroyed 800 houses and damaged a number of bridges upstream, killing 270 people. A river with a turbulent past, the River Don has much to offer both residents and visitors, including pubs, walking routes, wildlife, sites of historical interest and the flora. The river is a delight for anybody embarking on its exploration.

The picturesque River Calder, set in the valleys of Lancashire, is a major tributary of the River Ribble. It passes through Holme Chapel, Walk Mill, Burnley, Padiham, Altham and Whalley, before joining the Ribble near Great Mitton. At Whalley it passes the abbey and is crossed in turn by the Whalley Viaduct. The river has been hugely important throughout the history of this area of Lancashire, and continues to be enjoyed to this day. The river and surrounding area have a fascinating history that includes battles in the Dark Ages, the invention of bottled beer, the monks of Whalley Abbey, the Witches of Pendle, the Industrial Revolution and a whole lot more. With the Cliviger Gorge, Towneley Park, Pendle Hill and the Ribble Valley, the River Calder is a delight to explore and one of the gems of the English landscape.

The River Frome in Dorset flows for some 30 miles from the chalk uplands of central Dorset into Poole Harbour near Wareham. Its source is St John's Well in the village of Evershot, and from here it flows through some of Dorset's most scenic and historic landscapes. The river passes a wide variety of settlements, including the county town of Dorchester, the Saxon walled town of Wareham, and picturesque villages such as Cattistock and Moreton. A fascinating array of historic features fill the valley: a railway built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, earthworks of a Roman aqueduct and, most surprising of all, several miles of water meadow systems, which fertilised the land during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Called 'The Vale of the Great Dairies' in the works of Thomas Hardy, paths and lanes make it easy to explore the Frome valley and follow the river's course from Evershot to Wareham.

The Thames is justifiably known as 'London's river'. It flows through the heart of the capital and has played a pivotal role in the city's expansion and success. The river's bridges are among London's most iconic features and many other major landmarks (the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London to name but two) lie beside it. Throughout the city, numerous other historic sites and features along the river remind us of its historic importance. But the Thames belongs not just to London. It is the longest river that flows entirely within England and its course of over 200 miles takes it from the Cotswolds in the West Country all the way to the Thames Estuary between Essex and Kent. On the way, it passes Oxford, Reading, over a dozen other historic towns and even more villages, together with lots of fine countryside. This book follows the whole course of the river, looking at many of the iconic and less well-known features of the river and its valley.

The Forth packs more interesting historical and geographical attractions into its relatively short length than any other river in Britain. It rises on the eastern slopes of the mighty Ben Lomond, the most southerly of Scotland's Munros. It then ambles through the beautiful Trossachs, an area of scenic lochs and forests nestling amid crumpled hills which was the setting for Sir Walter Scott's epic poem The Lady of the Lake. At Stirling the river enters the pages of British history: it was here that William Wallace's army defeated England's forces in 1297. Just seventeen years later, the decisive Battle of Bannockburn took place nearby, an event that helped earn Scotland its independence. The modern-day visitor centre brings the still-extant battle site to bloody life. Stirling Castle itself is the largest in Scotland and one of the country's most historic. It guards what was for centuries the furthest downstream crossing of the river and was a vital nexus between highland and lowland, east and west. Several Scottish kings and queens were crowned here. After Stirling the River Forth becomes the Firth of Forth – the most substantial estuary on the east coast of Scotland. This book will explore the history, culture and geography of one of Scotland's most important waterways, from its source down to the Forth Bridges and on to where it joins the sea past Edinburgh, the nation's capital city.