Goring Gap facts for kids
The Goring Gap is a narrow valley where the River Thames flows. It's found between two sets of hills: the Chiltern Hills and the Berkshire Downs. This special spot is about 10 miles (16 km) upstream from Reading and 27 miles (43 km) downstream from Oxford. Here, the river forms the border between Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
The villages of Goring and Streatley, Berkshire face each other across the river, connected by a bridge. Two famous walking trails, the Thames Path and The Ridgeway, also cross the Thames right here.
How the Goring Gap Formed
About half a million years ago, the chalk hills you see today were all connected. Back then, the River Thames flowed northeast, heading towards the North Sea. It shared its water with the River Great Ouse.
During the last ice ages, the northern parts of England were covered in thick ice. The lower part of the Thames river froze. As the ice sheets grew, they blocked the river's usual path. This caused a huge lake to form around the area of Oxford. This lake would freeze in winter and thaw in summer.
Eventually, the water in this giant lake became so high that it spilled over the connected hills. The powerful water then cut a new path right through the chalk. This amazing event created the narrow valley we now call the Goring Gap. After the ice melted, the Thames kept flowing through this new route. It now goes through Berkshire and soon meets the River Kennet.
Location and Importance
The Goring Gap makes the wide Thames valley much narrower. Further downstream, near Henley-on-Thames, the hills also come close together.
To the south, steep hills rise up to Lardon Chase, which is part of the Berkshire Downs. To the north, you'll find the Chiltern Hills. The two villages of Goring and Streatley are right in the middle of the gap. As mentioned, the Thames Path and The Ridgeway trails both cross the Thames here.
The Goring Gap is a very important path for travel and transport. Besides the river itself, which is now mostly used for fun activities like boating, the gap also holds major routes. The A329 road connects Reading and Oxford through here. Also, the Great Western main line railway from London to Bristol and South Wales runs through the Goring Gap.
Images for kids
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The Goring Gap on a summer evening, seen from Lardon Chase.
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A tree-lined part of the Thames in the Goring Gap.
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The river and gap seen from Lardon Chase on a snowy January day, with the Chilterns in the background.
