River Pool (London) facts for kids

The River Pool is a small river in London, England. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river called the River Ravensbourne. The River Pool is about 5.1 kilometers (or 3 miles) long.

It starts its journey in the areas between Shirley and West Wickham. These places are in the London Borough of Croydon. From there, the river flows north. It passes through Beckenham in the London Borough of Bromley. Then it goes through Sydenham in the London Borough of Lewisham. Finally, it joins the River Ravensbourne in a place called Catford. The River Pool also has a couple of its own smaller streams that join it, like the River Beck and the Chaffinch Brook.

The River Pool's Journey and Surroundings

Where the River Flows

The River Pool starts in South London. It begins with small streams near Shirley and West Wickham. These areas are part of the London Borough of Croydon. As it flows, it moves northwards.

The river travels through different parts of London. It goes through Beckenham and Sydenham. These areas are in the boroughs of Bromley and Lewisham. The River Pool eventually meets the River Ravensbourne in Catford.

The River's Floodplain

For most of its length, the River Pool lies in a special area. This area is called a floodplain. A floodplain is flat land next to a river. It can sometimes get covered with water when the river overflows.

Because of this, people keep a close eye on the river. They watch for any signs of flooding. The land on both sides of the river is often used for sports. This helps protect buildings from potential floods.

River Pool Walkway and Nature

Near New Beckenham, there's a lovely path. It's called the River Pool Walkway. This path starts near Lennard Road. It goes past the Midland Bank Sports Ground and Cator Park.

The walkway includes special areas for nature. These are places where plants and animals can thrive. The route is also part of the National Cycle Network. This means you can cycle along parts of the river.

In Sydenham, a part of the river used to flow underground. It was hidden beneath old gas works. Now, this section has been opened up. It has been made into a nice landscaped area for everyone to enjoy.

A Famous Visitor to the River

In June 2009, something interesting happened. The Mayor of London at the time, Boris Johnson, visited the River Pool. He was there to encourage people to volunteer. He wanted them to help clean up the waterway.

During his visit, he accidentally fell into the river! It was a memorable moment. It showed how important it is to keep our rivers clean.