River Wheelock facts for kids
The River Wheelock is a small river located in Cheshire, a county in north-west England. It collects water from the land between the towns of Sandbach and Crewe. The Wheelock then flows into the River Dane near Middlewich. After that, the combined rivers join the River Weaver in Northwich. Long ago, in 1619, people called this river by other names like Sutton Watter, Sutton Brooke, and Lawton Brooke.
What Does the Name "Wheelock" Mean?
The name "Wheelock" has changed over time. Some old spellings include Quelok, Qwelok, Whelok, and Whelocke. Later, people used Wheelock Watter and Wheelock Brooke. The name is thought to mean "winding river." It comes from an old Welsh word, chwylog. The part chwyl means "a turn, a rotation, or a course." The ending og is an adjective part. The river gave its name to the large village of Wheelock.
Where Does the River Wheelock Start?
The River Wheelock begins from three smaller streams. These streams start not far from a hill called Mowcop Hill. One stream comes from Morton Hall in Astbury parish. The other two streams come from Lawton and Rode Hall. They all meet together close to Sandbach.
From there, the river flows past the town and manor of Wheelock. It then goes to Elton, where another stream called the Fulbrook joins it. The Fulbrook comes from Oke-hanger Mere. The Wheelock continues to Warmingham, Sutton Mill, and Wheelock Mill. Not far from Wheelock Mill, it flows into the River Dane at Croxton.
It's interesting to note that water flowing down the west side of Mowcop Hill forms the Wheelock. But water flowing down the east side of Mowcop Hill forms the very beginning of the famous River Trent. The entire journey of the River Wheelock is about twelve miles long.
