River Strat facts for kids

The River Strat is a river found in the very north of Cornwall, a county in southwest England. It flows for about 12.7 miles (20.4 kilometers) before reaching the sea at Bude.

The river starts its journey south of Kilkhampton. It first flows towards the southwest, passing through a village called Stratton. Here, it meets its main partner river, the River Neet, at a place called Helebridge. After this meeting, the River Strat suddenly changes direction. It turns to flow north-northwest, running alongside the coast until it reaches Bude Haven.

The River Neet, which joins the Strat, begins its flow east of Week St Mary. It travels north and northwest until it meets the Strat. Other smaller streams that feed into the Strat also start west of Week St Mary.

A part of the River Strat, downstream from Helebridge, runs next to the old Bude Canal. This canal is no longer used today. The waters of the River Strat and River Neet are home to various fish, including trout, lamprey, and eels. Sometimes, people even call the River Strat by the name River Neet. The old name for Stratton, Straetneat, might mean 'the valley of the river called Neat'.

Where the River Strat Flows

The River Strat begins its journey in the southern part of Kilkhampton. It flows mostly southwest, passing through the village of Stratton. This is where it meets its biggest helper, the River Neet.

Meeting the River Neet

The River Neet starts its own path east of Week St Mary. It flows north and then northwest until it joins the River Strat at Helebridge. After this meeting, the combined river turns sharply. It then flows north-northwest, running right next to the coastline.

Reaching the Sea at Bude

The river continues its journey parallel to the coast. Finally, it reaches the sea at Bude Haven, which is a beautiful bay in Bude.

Wildlife in the River Strat

The clean waters of the River Strat and River Neet are a great home for different kinds of aquatic animals. These rivers support a healthy ecosystem for fish and other creatures.

Fish and Other Creatures

You can find several types of fish living in these rivers. Some of the common residents include:

• Trout: These are popular fish known for their spotted skin.
• Lamprey: These are ancient, jawless fish that look a bit like eels.
• Eels: These long, snake-like fish are often found hiding in the riverbed.

The Bude Canal and the River Strat

A section of the River Strat, especially the part downstream from Helebridge, runs alongside the Bude Canal. This canal was once an important waterway but is now disused.

History of the Bude Canal

The Bude Canal was built a long time ago to help transport goods. While it's no longer used for boats, it remains an interesting part of the local history and landscape, flowing next to the river.

The Name of the River

The name of the River Strat has a connection to the local area. Sometimes, the river is even called the River Neet.

Older Names and Meanings

The village of Stratton has an older name, Straetneat. One idea about what this name means is 'the valley of the (river known as) Neat'. This shows how closely the river and the village have been connected for a very long time.

Images for kids

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  The River Strat in Stratton