River Greta, Cumbria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Greta |
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River Greta in Fitz Park, Keswick
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 Location of the mouth within Cumbria
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Part | England |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Threlkeld |
| River mouth | River Derwent, Cumbria Keswick 54°36′7″N 3°9′10″W / 54.60194°N 3.15278°W |
The River Greta is a river found in Cumbria, England. It is a tributary of the River Derwent. This means the Greta flows into the Derwent, adding its water to the larger river. The Greta also flows right through the town of Keswick.
The name "Greta" comes from an old language called Old Norse. In Old Norse, "Griótá" means "stony stream." Records show this name has been used since the early 1200s.
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Where Does the River Greta Start?
The River Greta begins near a place called Threlkeld. It forms where two other streams meet: the River Glenderamackin and St. John's Beck. When two rivers or streams join together, it's called a confluence.
From its start, the river flows west. It follows a path similar to an old railway line that used to run between Keswick and Penrith.
The River's Journey Through Keswick
The River Greta continues its journey through the town of Keswick. After leaving Keswick, it joins the River Derwent. This meeting point is just after the River Derwent flows out of Derwentwater, a famous lake.
Long ago, there was a medieval bridge over the Greta in Keswick. It was special because it had two arches. Most other bridges on the main coach road from Kendal to Cockermouth had only one arch. The current Greta Bridge in Keswick also has two arches and was built in 1926.
What Streams Flow Into the Greta?
The main streams that flow into the River Greta are Naddle Beck and Glenderaterra Beck. These are like smaller rivers that add their water to the Greta, making it bigger.
Literary Connections
The River Greta has been mentioned by famous writers.
- The poet William Wordsworth wrote a poem called ‘To the River Greta, near Keswick’ in 1823.
- Another poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, once described the sound of the river. He said the name "Greta" means "The Loud Lamenter" because the river "roars" loudly, like it's crying out. This was because of the sound the water made as it moved over the stones and boulders in the stream.
