River Culm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Culm |
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River Culm at Culmstock
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Map of the River Culm and its catchment in Devon and Somerset, UK, with the inset showing the location in Devon.
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| Country | England |
| County | Devon |
| Town | Cullompton |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Culmhead 800 ft (240 m) 50°56′16″N 3°06′35″W / 50.93778°N 3.109821°W |
| River mouth | River Exe 50°45′45″N 3°30′54″W / 50.7625°N 3.515°W |
| Length | 17 mi (27 km) |
The River Culm flows through the Devon Redlands in Devon, England. It is the longest river that flows into the River Exe. The Culm starts in the Blackdown Hills from a spring near RAF Culmhead in Somerset.
It flows west through towns like Hemyock and Culmstock. Then it reaches Uffculme. The river then turns south, passing Cullompton and running next to the M5 motorway. It goes along the edge of Killerton Park. Finally, it joins the River Exe near Exeter. The name 'Culm' might mean 'knot' or 'tie'. This could be because the river has many twists and turns.
Contents
Journey of the River Culm
The River Culm starts its journey in a wet, marshy field near Culmhead. About 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from its beginning, the river is about 1.5 meters wide. At a place called Gladhayes, the river flows under a bridge with two arches.
A little further on, the Madford River joins the Culm. From there, the river continues to Culmstock. This village sits on both sides of the river, where the water is quite shallow. When the river reaches Uffculme, it flows in a straighter path and moves more slowly.
Where Rivers and Roads Meet
The Spratford Stream flows south and meets the Culm near Willand. After this point, the river shares its valley with the main railway line. This railway used to be part of the Great Western Railway. It runs from Taunton to Exeter.
The M5 motorway also runs right next to the railway. All three – the river, the railway, and the motorway – continue past the market town of Cullompton. Here, the river has many bends, called meanders. Because of these bends, the area can sometimes flood.
Just before reaching Hele, near Kensham House, a smaller river called the River Weaver flows into the Culm from the east. The Culm then passes under a paper mill at Hele. North of Stoke Canon, the river continues to have many meanders.
The motorway eventually moves away to the south of Hele. But the river and the railway keep going together towards Exeter. The River Culm finally joins the River Exe just below Stoke Canon.
The River Culm in Books
The novel Perlycross was written by R. D. Blackmore. This story is set in the Upper Culm Valley. In the book, the village of Perlycombe is actually Hemyock. Perlycross is Culmstock, and Perliton is Uffculme.
The author describes the river in his book:
Perlycombe, Perlycross and Perliton, are but as three pearls on one string, all in a line, and contiguous. The string is the stream; which arising at the eastern extermity of Perlycombe parish, passes through the village, then westward through Perlycross, and westward still through the much larger village of Perliton. At Perlycombe it is a noisy little brook, at Perlycross, a genial trout stream; while Perliton, by the time it gets there, entitles it "the River Perle" and keeps two boats upon it, which are not always more aground than landsmen should desire.
Images for kids
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1. The very start of the River Culm.
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2. The first place you can cross the River Culm.
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3. The bridge at Gladhayes.
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4. The last bridge over the River Culm before it joins the River Exe.
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