River Mite facts for kids
The River Mite is a small but important river in Cumbria, a county in northern England. It flows through a beautiful area known as Miterdale. The name "Mite" might come from an old British word meaning something small or trickling, which fits because it's not a huge river.
The River Mite starts high up on Tongue Moor, near the top of a hill called Illgill Head. It begins at about 550 meters (1,800 feet) above sea level. As it flows downhill, it forms a stream and then tumbles over waterfalls at a place called Miterdale Head.
Contents
The River's Journey to the Sea
From its start, the Mite flows through a narrow valley. It passes by the Bakerstead outdoor center and the village of Eskdale Green. The river then goes north of Muncaster Fell and past Muncaster Mill.
Finally, the River Mite reaches the coast near the old village of Ravenglass. Here, it joins two other rivers, the River Esk and the River Irt, in an area where the rivers meet the sea.
Fun Facts About the River Mite
The River Mite runs right next to the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway. This famous little railway even has one of its steam engines named after the River Mite!
The upper part of Miterdale valley was also a special place for a famous writer named Arthur Ransome. He used this area as inspiration for the valley of Swallowdale in his popular Swallows and Amazons series of adventure books.
What Are Tributaries?
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river. The River Mite has several tributaries that add to its flow as it makes its way to the sea.
Tributaries of the River Mite
- Robin Gill
- Black Gill
- Merebeck Gill
- Mere Beck
- Gill Beck
