River Dever facts for kids
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The River Dever is a special kind of river called a chalk stream. You can find it in Hampshire, which is in the south of England. This river starts near a place called West Stratton, close to Micheldever. It then flows west for about 11 miles (18 km) until it joins a bigger river, the River Test, near Wherwell.
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Where Does the River Dever Flow?
The River Dever begins its journey about 80 meters (262 feet) above sea level. This is next to the A33 road, which is an old road that goes north-east from Winchester. The river winds its way west through several villages and small communities.
Villages Along the Dever
First, it flows through the village of Micheldever. Then it passes three smaller places: Weston Colley, Stoke Charity, and Wonston. After that, it reaches its biggest village, Sutton Scotney. The river continues past Upper and Lower Bullington. It then goes around the north side of Barton Stacey and through the small area of Bransbury. Finally, the River Dever meets the River Test at Bransbury Common. This meeting point is about 48 meters (157 feet) above sea level.
What Does "Dever" Mean?
The name "Dever" has been around for a very long time. Some old records from Old English times call it Myceldefer.
Meaning of the Name
The first part, "Mycel," likely means "great" or "big." The second part, "defer," might come from an old British word meaning "water" or "river." You can see similar names in nearby places like Andover or the Candover Brook. Another idea is that the oldest known name, Mycendefr from the 9th century, might mean "bog" in Old Welsh. However, this is less likely because the river flows downhill and has clear, alkaline water, which isn't typical for a bog.
Special Features of the River Dever
The River Dever gets most of its water from underground chalk layers called aquifers. These are like natural sponges that hold water. This is similar to how the River Test gets its water.
Fish and Old Buildings
Because of this clean, chalky water, the River Dever is a great place for large trout. There's even a trout farm located in the green area of Bransbury. You can also find some historic buildings along the river. The watermill at Weston Colley is a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical site. The mill at Bransbury is also a Grade II listed building.
