Wootton Brook facts for kids
Wootton Brook is a small river, also called a tributary, in Northamptonshire, England. It flows into a bigger river called the River Nene.
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What is Wootton Brook?
Wootton Brook is a natural waterway that helps carry water across the land. It's like a small stream that grows as it collects water from different places.
Where Does It Start?
The Wootton Brook actually starts in two different spots!
- One part begins in a place called Salcey Lawn, which is inside Salcey Forest. This part flows north.
- The other part starts in Yardley Chase and flows south.
These two parts meet up in a wet, marshy field located southeast of Horton.
Its Journey Through Northamptonshire
After the two parts join, the brook flows west. It goes under the B526 road, which connects Northampton and Newport Pagnell. The brook then winds its way between two villages:
- Hackleton is on its north side.
- Piddington is on its south side.
It continues through Preston Deanery.
Passing Through Villages and Under Roads
The brook then flows between Wootton (which is on its north side and gives the brook its name) and Grange Park (on its south side). It passes under the Quinton Road and then under the A45 main road, entering an area called Blackymoor.
Lakes and Nature Along the Brook
In Blackymoor, the brook's water is used to create man-made lakes.
- Some lakes are for the Collingtree golf course.
- Other lakes are "balancing lakes." These lakes collect extra rainwater from East Hunsbury to prevent flooding.
The brook then goes under the Northampton–Euston railway line. It also passes under the old road that used to connect Northampton and Towcester, near a place called Ladybridge. This bridge is named after the brook's old name, "Lady Brook," from the 1800s. The Counties Crematorium is on the south side of the brook here.
Continuing West and North
The brook flows south of West Hunsbury, into Rothersthorpe Vale, and through Ladybridge Park. Another lake has been created at Shelfleys. The brook then flows over a small waterfall, called a weir, and continues under the A4123 (a road that links the M1 and M40 motorways).
It then passes under the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The canal is carried over the brook by a special bridge called an aqueduct. The brook then turns north and goes under a humpback bridge on the Northampton–Rothersthorpe Road, which was once an old path for moving animals, known as Banbury Lane.
Final Stretch and End Point
The brook flows through Swan Valley and Pineham. Here, there are more man-made balancing lakes that help manage water for the industrial areas. Finally, the brook turns east, curving around the western side of Hunsbury Hill. It then flows into the River Nene at Upton Mill.
How Long is the Brook?
From where it starts near Horton to where it joins the River Nene, the Wootton Brook flows for about 15 kilometers (about 9.3 miles).
