List of main rivers of Wales facts for kids
Wales is a country known for its beautiful landscapes, and a big part of that beauty comes from its many rivers! These rivers flow through valleys, past towns, and eventually empty into the sea. This article will tell you about some of the most important rivers in Wales and where they end up.
When we talk about a "catchment," we mean the area of land where all the rain and water eventually drains into a specific river or lake. Think of it like a giant funnel for water!
Contents
- Rivers Flowing into Liverpool Bay
- Rivers on Anglesey Island
- Rivers Flowing into the Irish Sea
- The Seiont River
- The Gwyrfai River
- The Soch River
- Rivers of the Llŷn Peninsula
- The Dwyfor River
- The Glaslyn River
- The Artro River
- The Ysgethin River
- The Mawddach River
- The Dysynni River
- The Dyfi River
- The Clarach River
- The Rheidol River
- The Ystwyth River
- Other Rivers into the Irish Sea
- The Teifi River
- The Nyfer River
- The Cleddau Rivers
- Rivers Flowing into the Bristol Channel
- The Tâf River (Carmarthenshire)
- The Tywi River
- The Gwendraeth River
- The Lliedi River
- The Loughor River
- The Clyne River
- The Tawe River
- The Neath River
- The Afan River
- The Kenfig River
- The Ogmore River
- Other Rivers into the Bristol Channel
- The Taff River (Cardiff)
- The Rhymney River
- The Usk River
- The Wye River
- The Severn River
Rivers Flowing into Liverpool Bay
These rivers start in Wales and flow north or east, eventually reaching the Liverpool Bay, which is part of the Irish Sea. This area is generally from Hoylake to Garth Pier near Bangor, Gwynedd.
The Dee River
- River Dee, Wales (Afon Dyfrdwy)
The River Dee is one of the longest rivers in Wales. It starts in the Snowdonia mountains and flows through parts of Wales and England before reaching the sea.
The Clwyd River
- River Clwyd (Afon Clwyd)
The River Clwyd flows through the Vale of Clwyd, a wide, flat valley in northeast Wales.
The Conwy River
- River Conwy (Afon Conwy)
The River Conwy is famous for its beautiful valley and the historic Conwy Castle near its mouth.
Other Rivers into Liverpool Bay
- Afon Aber
- Afon Ogwen
- River Cegin (Afon Cegin)
- River Adda (Afon Adda)
Rivers on Anglesey Island
Anglesey is a large island off the northwest coast of Wales. It has its own network of rivers that flow into the sea around it. We'll look at them going around the island, starting from Menai Bridge.
Did you know? The "Menai Strait" (Afon Menai in Welsh) isn't actually a river, even though its Welsh name suggests it. It's a narrow stretch of sea that separates Anglesey from mainland Wales!
Exploring Anglesey's Rivers
- Afon Crigyll
- Afon Ffraw
- Afon Cefni (River Cefni)
- Afon Braint (River Braint, Dwyran)
- Afon Braint (LlanfairPG)
Rivers Flowing into the Irish Sea
These rivers flow from Wales directly into the main part of the Irish Sea. This section covers rivers from Bangor Pier down to St. Govan's Head in the southwest.
The Seiont River
- Afon Seiont (River Seiont)
The Afon Seiont is known as Afon Rhythallt further upstream, before it reaches Pont-Rhythallt.
The Gwyrfai River
The Soch River
Rivers of the Llŷn Peninsula
- Afon Rhyd-hir
- Afon Erch
- Afon Wen
The Dwyfor River
The Glaslyn River
The Afon Glaslyn flows through a stunning valley in Snowdonia National Park.
The Artro River
The Ysgethin River
- Afon Ysgethin
The Mawddach River
The Dysynni River
The Dyfi River
- Afon Dyfi (River Dovey)
The River Dyfi forms a natural border between Gwynedd and Ceredigion counties.
The Clarach River
This river is formed when two smaller streams, Afon Stewi and Nant Silo, join together.
The Rheidol River
- River Rheidol (Afon Rheidol)
The Ystwyth River
- River Ystwyth (Afon Ystwyth)
Other Rivers into the Irish Sea
- Afon Wyre
- Afon Cledan
- River Arth
- Afon Aeron
The Teifi River
- River Teifi (Afon Teifi)
The River Teifi is one of the longest rivers entirely within Wales and is famous for its salmon and trout fishing.
The Nyfer River
The Cleddau Rivers
The Daugleddau is actually two rivers, the Eastern and Western Cleddau, which join to form a large estuary called Milford Haven.
Rivers Flowing into the Bristol Channel
These rivers flow south or east from Wales into the Bristol Channel. This area stretches from St. Govan's Head to the Severn Bridge.
The Tâf River (Carmarthenshire)
This Tâf is in Carmarthenshire, not to be confused with the Taff in Cardiff.
The Tywi River
- River Tywi (Afon Tywi)
The River Tywi is the longest river flowing entirely within Wales.
The Gwendraeth River
The Lliedi River
- River Lliedi (Afon Lliedi)
The Loughor River
- River Loughor (Afon Llwchwr)
The Clyne River
The Tawe River
The River Tawe flows through the city of Swansea.
The Neath River
The Afan River
The Kenfig River
- River Kenfig (Afon Cynffig)
The Ogmore River
- River Ogmore (Afon Ogwr)
Other Rivers into the Bristol Channel
The Taff River (Cardiff)
- River Taff (Afon Tâf)
This River Taff flows through the capital city of Wales, Cardiff.
The Rhymney River
- Rhymney River (Afon Rhymni)
The Usk River
- River Usk (Afon Wysg)
The River Usk is known for its beautiful valley and good fishing.
The Wye River
- River Wye (Afon Gwy)
The River Wye is one of the longest rivers in the UK. It forms part of the border between Wales and England.
The Severn River
- River Severn (Afon Hafren)
The River Severn is the longest river in the United Kingdom. It starts in Wales but flows mostly through England before reaching the Bristol Channel. Most of its smaller rivers (tributaries) that join it downstream of the River Vyrnwy are in England.
