Breamish facts for kids
The River Breamish is a beautiful river found in Northumberland, England. It begins high up on Comb Fell, which is part of the amazing Northumberland National Park. This area is on the southern side of a famous hill called The Cheviot. The Breamish is one of eight rivers that start in the Cheviot Hills. Some of the other rivers include the College Valley, Harthope Burn, Bowmont Water, Kale Water, Heatherhope Burn, the Coquet, and the Alwin.
As the Breamish flows, it passes by two important villages in its upper valley: Ingram and Linhope. Both of these villages are also located within the Northumberland National Park. Later on, near the town of Wooler, the Breamish changes its name and becomes the River Till. The River Till is special because it's the only river that flows entirely within England before joining the larger River Tweed.
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What's in a Name?
The name Breamish has a very old history! It comes from an ancient language called Common Brittonic. This language was spoken by people in Britain a long, long time ago. The name Breamish comes from a word that means "to bellow," "to bray," or "to roar." Think of the sound a strong river might make! Other rivers, like the River Braan in Scotland and the Brefi in Wales, also get their names from this same ancient word.
A Look Back in Time
The Breamish Valley has a rich history, showing how people lived here many centuries ago.
The Salters Road
One interesting historical path is the Salters Road. This old road starts in the upper Breamish Valley and crosses the Cheviot Hills all the way into Scotland. It was once a very important route for pack-horses. These horses would carry salt from the coast into the Scottish borders. Salt was a valuable item, used for preserving food and as a seasoning.
Ancient Homes and Sites
If you explore the hills above the Breamish Valley, you'll find many signs of ancient life. There are archaeological remains from different time periods. You can see burial sites from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, which are thousands of years old. There are also remains of old hillforts, which were protected settlements, and farmsteads where people lived and worked. You might even spot old field systems and areas where medieval villages once stood, but are now deserted.
Exploring the Geography
The area where the Breamish River begins is surrounded by tall hills. These hills are more than 2,000 feet (about 610 meters) above sea level. Some of the highest peaks include The Cheviot (815 meters), Hedgehope Hill (714 meters), Comb Fell (652 meters), Cushat Law (616 meters), and Bloodybush Edge (610 meters).
Linhope Spout Waterfall
A fantastic natural feature in the area is Linhope Spout. This is a beautiful waterfall that drops about 60 feet (18 meters) into a deep pool below. The pool itself is about 16 feet (5 meters) deep! Linhope Spout is located on the Linhope Burn, which is a smaller stream that flows into the Breamish River. You can find it about 1 kilometer north of Linhope village.
