Rivers of SW England

A list of Bridges, Tunnels and Crossings categorised by the Waterway they cross, within South West England (loosely the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire).

River Axe (Lyme Bay)

The River Axe is a river in Dorset, Somerset and Devon. It rises near Beaminster in Dorset and flows to the sea at Seaton. It is a shallow, non-navigable river, although its mouth at Axmouth has some boating activity.

River Avon (Bristol & Bath)

The River Avon that flows out into the Bristol Channel between Avonmouth and Portishead is a strange river, as it rises in the southern Cotswolds near Badminton, flows east then turns to the south near Malmesbury, before turning west at Melksham. Then, just for good measure, it flows north for a few miles as it heads for Bath!

River Avon (Hampshire)

Although this river rises in Wiltshire much of its course is in Hampshire. Details of bridges etc can be found under Rivers of SE England

River Avon (Warwickshire)

As the name suggests this river rises in the Midlands and flows into the River Severn near Tewkesbury. As the bulk of this river is in the West Midlands, bridge details will be found there.

River Axe (Lyme Bay)

The River Axe is a river in Dorset, Somerset and Devon. It rises near Beaminster in Dorset and flows to the sea at Seaton. It is a shallow, non-navigable river, although its mouth at Axmouth has some boating activity.

River Brue

The River Brue flows across Somerset to reach the Bristol Channel, via the Parrett Estuary, at Highbridge. It has risen on the opposite side of the county in Selwood Forest, on the border with Wiltshire.

River Camel

This river drains most of North Cornwall finally reaching the sea near Padstow.

River Dart

Rising in the heart of Dartmoor, the River Dart wends its way southwards to meet the sea at Dartmouth in South Devon.

River Exe & Barle

The Exe starts it's life on Exmoor in Somerset, before flowing south through Devon's county town of Exeter to meet the sea at Exmouth. The Barle has also started life on Exmoor, and joins the Exe at the county boundary near Exebridge.

River Fal and Tributaries

The Fal starts it life on Goss Moor, Cornwall and remains entirely within that county before reaching the sea at Falmouth. It is tidal from Falmouth to Truro.

River Fowey

The River Fowey rises on Bodmin Moor,Cornwall passes through the county to reach the sea at Fowey itself. It is only navigable by larger craft for the last 7 miles. There is a foot ferry between Fowey and Bodinnick.

River Frome

The River Frome is a river in Dorset. It is the major chalkstream in southwest England.It reaches the 'sea' in Poole Harbour.

River Hamoaze, Tamar and other Tributaries

The Tamar forms the county boundary between Devon and Cornwall for most of its length. Indeed it rises so far north that it is often joked that it nearly makes Cornwall an Island. It reaches the sea in the wide Tamar Estuary or Hamoaze at Plymouth.

River Kennet

The Kennet rises in Wiltshire but mainly flows through SE England. Details can be found in that category.

River Looe and tributaries

The River Looe flows between St. Keyne near Liskeard and the sea at Looe itself. Above that it is known as the East River Looe and West River Looe.Both start on Bodmin Moor.

River Otter

The River Otter rises in the Blackdown Hills,Somerset.It subsequently flows into Devon and then through the East Devon rural countryside to reach the sea near Budleigh Salterton.

River Parrett and Tone

The Parrett rises in North Dorset and flows north west to Burrowbridge, where it is met by the Tone. The Tone has travelled on a meandering path from the Brendon Hills, through Taunton and so together they flow north through Bridgwater to the Bristol Channel.

River Severn

Perhaps the mightiest river in England and Wales, the Severn rises in Plynlimon in the heart of Mid Wales, flowing through the English Midlands and so into Gloucestershire at Tewkesbury. From there it flows south through Gloucester itself, and under the Severn Bridge to become the Bristol Channel.

River Stour (Dorset)

The River Stour is a river which flows through Wiltshire and Dorset and drains in to the sea at Christchurch. The source of the river is at Stourhead, in Wiltshire.It then flows south into Dorset and past the edge of the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation to Christchurch.

River Taw

Rises at Taw Head on Dartmoor and eventually flows in to the Bristol Channel near Barnstaple

River Teign

The Teign starts its life high on Dartmoor, and flows west, heading for Exeter, before turning southwards to pass round Newton Abbot and so reach the sea at Teignmouth.

River Torridge

The home of Tarka the Otter. Rises in Devon near the Cornish boundary. Then flows through the Torringtons and Bideford to the Bristol Channel where it enters the sea near Appledore.

River Thames

This major river rises at Thames Head in Gloucestershire. It then flows via London to the sea. For simplification purposes full details will be found under Rivers of SW England.

River Windrush

This river has its source in Gloucestershire from where it flows into Oxforshire and the Thames. Details will be found in the SE England section.

River Wye

Only just featuring in SW England, the Wye forms the boundary between Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, and so between England and Wales. It has risen just a mile or two from the source of the Severn high on Plynlimon in Mid Wales, and so it is perhaps fitting that they join up again as the Severn becomes the Bristol Channel.Details will be found in 'Rivers of Wales'