River Ingrebourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Ingrebourne |
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Looking north from the bridge on Berkeley Drive
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| Other name(s) | (Hornchurch Creek) |
| Country | England |
| Counties | Greater London |
| London boroughs | Havering |
| Towns | Upminster, Hornchurch, Rainham |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Brentwood, Essex |
| River mouth | River Thames Rainham Marsh, Rainham |
| Length | 43.3 km (26.9 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The River Ingrebourne is a cool river that flows into the famous River Thames! It's about 43 kilometers (or 27 miles) long. This river is super important for London and is part of something called the "Blue Ribbon Network." It flows mostly from north to south through the London Borough of Havering, finally joining the Thames near Rainham.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Ingrebourne was first written down in 1062 as Ingceburne. The end part, -bourne, comes from an old English word for a stream or small river. We're not totally sure what the first part of the name means, but it might have been someone's name.
Where Does the River Flow?
The River Ingrebourne starts near Brentwood, Essex. From there, it flows southwest, going under the big M25 motorway. As it travels through the London Borough of Havering, it picks up water from other smaller streams.
River's Friends: Tributaries
- The first stream to join is the Weald Brook, which is about 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) long.
- Soon after, Carters Brook and Paynes Brook also add their water to the Ingrebourne.
Journey Through London
After passing the town of Harold Hill, the river flows through areas that aren't built up. It goes through a large flood-plain. Then, the Ingrebourne winds its way between the towns of Upminster and Hornchurch.
Green Spaces Along the River
From Hornchurch, the river is surrounded by lovely public green areas. These include Gaynes Parkway, the Ingrebourne Valley Greenway, and Hornchurch Country Park. These parks stretch all the way to Rainham.
Meeting the Thames
When the river reaches Rainham, it splits into two parts. The main part becomes Rainham Creek. This creek flows into the River Thames between Hornchurch Marshes and Rainham Marshes. The other part of the river becomes a system of channels called the Wennington Sewers.
Why is the River Ingrebourne Important?
The areas around the River Ingrebourne are very special!
Home for Wildlife
The Ingrebourne Marshes are a "Site of Special Scientific Interest." This means they are very important because they have many different kinds of wildlife. They also have large areas of wetland reeds, which are great for birds and other animals.
A "Blue Ribbon" Waterway
The river is also part of London's "Blue Ribbon Network." This is a plan to protect and improve London's waterways. The Ingrebourne is considered a key waterway in this network.
Nature Reserve
The Ingrebourne Valley itself is a "Local Nature Reserve." This means it's a protected area where people can enjoy nature and learn about the local plants and animals.
