River Ebble facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Ebble |
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River Ebble at Coombe Bisset
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| Country | England |
| Region | West of England |
| District | Wiltshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Alvediston, Wiltshire, England 51°00′46″N 2°02′20″W / 51.0127°N 2.039°W |
| River mouth | River Avon (Hampshire) 51°02′00″N 1°45′30″W / 51.0334°N 1.7582°W |
The River Ebble is a cool river that flows through the English city of Salisbury. It starts its journey in a village called Alvediston, which is west of Salisbury. The Ebble then meets up with another river, the River Avon, near a place called Bodenham.
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The River Ebble
The River Ebble is one of five rivers that flow into or near the city of Salisbury. It's an important part of the local landscape and history.
Where Does the Ebble Flow?
The Ebble begins its journey in Alvediston, a village about 12 miles (19 km) west of Salisbury. From there, it flows through several villages and towns. These include Ebbesbourne Wake, Fifield Bavant, Broad Chalke, Bishopstone, and Coombe Bissett.
Finally, the Ebble joins the River Avon at Bodenham. This spot is about 2.5 miles (4 km) southeast of Salisbury.
How the River Ebble Gets Its Water
The most important river that flows into the Ebble is the River Chalke. The River Chalke starts in Bowerchalke and flows through the Chalke Valley. It joins the Ebble at a place called Mount Sorrel in Broad Chalke.
The Chalke River provides a steady flow of water all year round. This means that the Ebble only acts like a winterbourne (a stream that dries up in summer) for a short part of its length, from Alvediston to Knapp.
Near a place called Little London, the Ebble gets even more water. Several pumps add water from underground sources. This extra water helps supply a large farm that grows watercress at Knapp. Watercress is a leafy green vegetable often used in salads.
What's in a Name?
Have you ever wondered where the name "Ebble" comes from? A historian named Peter Meers studied the history of the area. He wrote a book called Ebbesbourne Wake Through The Ages.
Peter Meers believes that the land and the river, or "bourne," were once owned by a person named Ebbel. The word "bourne" comes from an old English word, "brunna," which means a stream or river.
Long ago, from Saxon times until 1166, there were two villages called Ebblesborne. One of these villages later became known as Bishopstone. So, the name "Ebble" likely connects to an ancient owner of the land and the stream.
