River Sherbourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sherbourne |
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Whitley Abbey Bridge, over the River Sherbourne in Whitley.
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| Country | England |
| City | Coventry |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Hawkes End, Allesley |
| River mouth | River Sowe Baginton 52°22′35″N 1°29′38″W / 52.37639°N 1.49389°W |
The River Sherbourne is a small river in England. It flows right under the city of Coventry, in the West Midlands. It's an important part of the city's history and environment.
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Discovering the River Sherbourne
The River Sherbourne is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) long. It flows mostly towards the southeast. This river is special because a large part of it runs hidden underground.
Where Does the Sherbourne Start and End?
The River Sherbourne begins in fields near a place called Hawkes End. This area is in the parish of Allesley. From there, it flows through different parts of Coventry.
It passes through Spon End, where you can see the Vignoles Bridge crossing over it. Just before reaching the Inner Ring Road and Spon Street, the river goes underground. It continues flowing in pipes or tunnels, which is called being culverted.
The river then goes through the suburb of Whitley. Finally, it joins another river called the River Sowe. This meeting point is south of the A45 road near Baginton. The River Sowe is a tributary of the River Avon.
What's in a Name?
The name Sherbourne has a long history. It is believed to come from Old English words. Scir Burna means "clear stream." This suggests that the river was once very clear and clean.
Does the River Ever Dry Up?
Sometimes, the upper part of the Sherbourne river, near Allesley, can dry up. This happened in 1935 and several times since then. When there isn't enough rain, the water level can get very low.
Plans for the River's Future
The Coventry City Council has exciting plans for the River Sherbourne. They want to "open up" a section of the river. This part is currently hidden underground beneath a street called The Burges in the city centre. Opening it up would let people see and enjoy the river again. It would also be good for nature.
