River Alham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Alham |
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The ford across the river at Alhampton
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| Country | England |
| County | Somerset |
| City | Milton Clevedon |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Higher Alham Somerset, England 51°10′16″N 2°27′49″W / 51.17111°N 2.46361°W |
| River mouth | River Brue Alford, Somerset, England 51°05′37″N 2°34′03″W / 51.09361°N 2.56750°W |
| Length | 16 km (9.9 mi) |
The River Alham is a river that flows through the beautiful county of Somerset in England. It's not a very long river, measuring about 16 kilometers (10 miles) in length. Even so, it plays an important part in the local area.
Where the River Alham Flows
The River Alham starts its journey high up at a place called Higher Alham. This is near the village of Batcombe. From there, it flows through several villages. These include Alhampton and Milton Clevedon. Finally, the River Alham joins a bigger river called the River Brue. This meeting point is north of the village of Alford.
A Look Back in Time
The River Alham has a long history. In ancient Roman times, people knew this river by a different name: the Alauna.
For many centuries, the river was very important for local industries. From the time of the Domesday Book (a famous survey from 1086) until the 1700s, many mills used the river's power. These mills used the flowing water to grind grain or power other machines.
Today, one of these old mill sites at Alhampton is still making power. It uses a special device called an Archimedes' screw. This is a type of turbine that looks like a giant screw. As the water turns the screw, it creates hydro-electric power. This is a clean way to make electricity using water.
Boulter's Bridge
Along the River Alham, you can find an old bridge called Boulter's Bridge. This bridge is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. It crosses the river between the areas of Ditcheat and West Bradley.
Boulter's Bridge is so old and important that it has been named a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it's a special historical site protected by law. It helps us remember the past and how people lived and traveled long ago.
