Aylesford Stream facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aylesford Stream |
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Aylesford Stream
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | between Wye with Hinxhill and West Brabourne |
| River mouth | Great Stour at Ashford, Kent, England, TQ 015 428 51°08′05″N 0°52′24″E / 51.134797°N 0.873284°E |
| Length | 5.4 km (3.4 mi) |
The Aylesford Stream is a small river, about 5.4 kilometers (3.3 miles) long. It's like a helper river, also called a tributary, that flows into the East Stour. The East Stour then joins the bigger Great Stour in Kent, England. This stream is an important part of the local environment near Ashford, Kent.
Aylesford Stream: A Small River's Journey
The Aylesford Stream starts its journey north of the M20 motorway. Its source is found between the villages of Wye with Hinxhill and West Brabourne. From there, it flows through an area called Willesborough.
The stream then continues its path between Newtown and South Willesborough. Finally, it joins the East Stour river. This meeting point is just west of the Ashford Designer Outlet shopping center.
Nature Along the Stream
The area around the Aylesford Stream is very special for nature. It is part of a larger protected area called the Ashford Green Corridor. This corridor is a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's a place where nature is protected and people can enjoy it.
Along the stream, especially near Bentley Road in Willesborough, you can see pollarded willows. These are trees that have been cut in a special way to encourage new growth. Part of this natural area is also known as the South Willesborough Dykes. This section is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). An SNCI is a place recognized for its important wildlife and habitats. The dykes, which are like small channels or ditches, continue on the other side of the East Stour, even among the houses.
How High Speed 1 Changed Things
When the High Speed 1 railway line was built through Ashford, the Aylesford Stream had to be moved. The stream was carefully redirected to flow right alongside the new railway tracks. This was done to make space for the fast train line while still keeping the stream flowing.
