River Beck

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The source of the River Beck is in Spring Park (grid reference TQ377647)

where Shirley and West Wickham meet. For its first mile or so it forms the border between the London boroughs of Croydon and Bromley. Indeed, historically, this was also the border between Surrey and Kent. It gives its name to Beck Lane, Elmers End and to the town of Beckenham.

The River Beck flows into Cator Park, where it is joined by the Chaffinch Brook. The river after this juncture is called the River Pool, until it joins the River Ravensbourne which in turn joins the River Thames.

The origin of the name is unknown but it may be tautologous since beck means small river in northern England. It is a word of Old Norse heritage, still used in countries such as Sweden (e.g. Brömsebäck).