River Anton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids (River) Anton |
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The River Anton at Goodworth Clatford
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 Outflow of the river in northern Hampshire
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| Country | England |
| County | Hampshire |
| Towns | Andover |
| District/Borough | Test Valley |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Andover 51°13′40″N 1°28′56″W / 51.227661°N 1.4821377°W |
| River mouth | River Test at Goodworth Clatford 51°09′03″N 1°27′21″W / 51.150919°N 1.455768°W |
| Length | 9.3 mi (15.0 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Andover, Test, Southampton Water (sub-arm of English Channel, arm of Atlantic Ocean) |
| Tributaries |
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The River Anton is a special kind of river called a chalk stream. It flows through Hampshire in southeast England. This river starts in the town of Andover. From there, it flows south for about 8 miles (13 km). Finally, it joins another river, the River Test, near Chilbolton. A smaller stream called the Pillhill Brook also flows into the Anton at Upper Clatford.
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Journey of the River Anton
The River Anton begins its journey in the Anton Lakes nature reserve. This is in the northern part of Andover. It flows right through the middle of the town. After leaving Andover, the river continues south. It passes through several small villages. These include Upper Clatford, Goodworth Clatford, and Cottonworth. The Anton then meets the River Test just below Chilbolton.
Wildlife and River Health
As a chalk stream, the River Anton is home to many different plants and animals. Its water quality is currently being improved. Many groups are working together on something called the "River Anton Enhancement Strategy." Their goal is to make the river even healthier for all the wildlife that lives there.
Fun Things to Do Along the Anton
The River Anton offers some great activities for people to enjoy.
Fishing for Trout
If you like fishing, the Anton is known for its excellent trout. People often catch large fish here. Only fly fishing is allowed, which is a special way of fishing. The fishing rights are privately owned, so you need permission to fish.
Walking the River Anton Way
You can also enjoy a long walk along the river. This path is called the River Anton Way. It was first created as part of the river improvement plan. The original walk was about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long. It started at Charlton Lakes, went through Andover, and ended at Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve.
In 2015, the path was made even longer. It now stretches for an extra 5.5 miles (8.9 km). This extension goes through the villages of Upper Clatford, Goodworth Clatford, Wherwell, and Chilbolton. It's a great way to see the beautiful countryside and the river.
Old Watermills on the River
In the past, the River Anton had five watermills. These mills used the power of the flowing water to grind grain into flour. Three of these mills were in Andover: Anton Mill, Town Mill, and Rooksbury Mill. There was also Copthall Place Mill at Clatford and Fullerton Mill.
Today, flour is still made in Andover. However, it's now done at the Junction Mills, which use electricity instead of water power.
How Healthy is the River Anton's Water?
The Environment Agency checks the water quality of rivers in England. They give each river a score for its overall health. This score can be high, good, moderate, poor, or bad. They look at different things to decide this.
They check the types and numbers of tiny creatures, plants, and fish living in the water. They also test for chemicals to make sure they are at safe levels. In 2019, parts of the River Anton had "moderate" water quality. This means it's okay, but there's still work to be done to make it even better. The Environment Agency also found that some chemicals were not at safe levels. This is why efforts are being made to improve the river's health.
