Bourne (stream) facts for kids

A bourne is a special kind of stream that doesn't flow all the time. It gets its water from a spring and can sometimes dry up completely. The word "bourne" comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon language, which was spoken in England a very long time ago.

What is a Bourne?

A bourne is known as an intermittent stream. This means it flows only during certain times of the year. Imagine a tap that sometimes turns on and sometimes turns off – that's a bit like a bourne!

How Bournes Form

Bournes are often found in areas with chalk or limestone rock. These rocks are like giant sponges. During the winter, when there's a lot of rain, the rock soaks up water. This water slowly drains out, creating the stream. As the weather gets drier, especially in summer, the rock runs out of stored water. When this happens, the bourne stops flowing and can become completely dry.

Where Bournes Are Found

You can find the word "bourne" in many placenames, especially in southern England, like in the county of Dorset. For example, towns like Redbourne and Legbourne have "bourne" in their names. It's often used for small rivers or streams.

The Mystery of Winterbournes

One common type of bourne is called a winterbourne. As its name suggests, a winterbourne is a stream that flows mainly during the colder, wetter winter months. When summer arrives and there's less rain, these streams often dry up. This happens because the underground water levels, called the water table, drop too low to feed the stream.

Other Words Like Bourne

The word "bourne" can also be spelled as bourn, borne, or born. Another similar word is "burn," which is used for streams, especially in Scotland and the North East of England. You might see it in placenames like Blackburn or Kilburn.

Sometimes, words that sound similar have different meanings or come from different languages. For example, the town name Camborne in Cornwall sounds like "bourne," but it actually comes from a Cornish word that means "hill." It's a good reminder that language can be tricky and full of surprises!