River Lathkill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lathkill |
|
|---|---|
Tufa dam, River Lathkill
|
|
| Country | England |
| Counties | Derbyshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lathkill Head nr Monyash 53°11′22″N 1°44′47″W / 53.1895°N 1.7463°W |
| River mouth | River Wye nr Rowsley 53°11′19″N 1°38′21″W / 53.1887°N 1.6392°W |
| Length | 10.5 km (6.5 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
|
| Progression : Lathkill—Wye—Derwent—Trent—Humber—North Sea | |
The River Lathkill is a beautiful river in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, England. It flows for about 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles). The name "Lathkill" might come from an old Norse word. It could mean "narrow valley with a barn."
Contents
The River's Journey
When there's a lot of rain, the River Lathkill starts at Lathkill Head Cave. But usually, the river begins from springs a bit further down the Lathkill Dale valley. This is near the village of Monyash, which is west of Bakewell.
The river flows east, passing through the village of Over Haddon. It then goes through Alport, where another river, the River Bradford, joins it. Finally, the River Lathkill meets the River Wye near Rowsley. It's special because it's the only river in the area that flows over limestone for its whole journey.
Lathkill Dale: A Special Place
The valley where the river flows is called Lathkill Dale. It's a very popular spot for visitors. People come to enjoy its natural beauty and see the amazing wildlife. An old bridge from the Middle Ages, called Conksbury Bridge, now carries a road. This road goes from Bakewell to Youlgreave.
The dale also has a history of lead mining. You can still see parts of the 19th-century Mandale Mine among the trees. These include an old aqueduct and a ruined pump house. This pump house was one of the last efforts to keep the mines dry enough to work in.
Clear Waters and Wildlife
The water in the River Lathkill is often incredibly clear. A famous writer named Charles Cotton once wrote about it. He said it was "by many degrees, the purest and most transparent stream that I ever saw." He also mentioned that it "breeds, it is said, the reddest and best Trouts in England." When the river is at its clearest, you can even see the fish from one side to the other!
Much of the river and its valley are part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. This means it's a protected area for nature. It's also a SSSI, which gives it even more protection. Many different animals and plants live here. You can find brown trout and dippers. There's also a rare wild plant called Jacob's ladder.
Visitors can even use Bluetooth at certain spots in the nature reserve. This lets them download pictures of flowers and birds. They can also get examples of birdsong on their mobile phones.
Visiting the River Lathkill
It's easy to visit the River Lathkill and Lathkill Dale. There are car parks at Over Haddon, Moor Lane, Youlgrave, and Conksbury Bridge. You can also get there by bus. Bus services run from Over Haddon, Monyash, and Youlgrave.
