River Wylye

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

River Wylye
none River Wylye at Norton Bavant
River Wylye at Norton Bavant
Country England
Region Wessex
District West Wiltshire
Major cities Maiden Bradley, Warminster, Codford St Peter, Wilton
Length 45 km (28 mi)
Watershed 470 km² (181 sq mi)
Discharge at Chitterne Brook[1]
 - average 0.3 m³/s (11 cu ft/s)
 - maximum 0.6 m³/s (21 cu ft/s)
 - minimum 0.1 m³/s (4 cu ft/s)
Source Rodmead Farm
 - location Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire, England
 - coordinates 51°07′25″N 2°18′11″W / 51.12361, -2.30306
 - elevation 148 m (486 ft)
Mouth Confluence with River Nadder
 - location Wilton, Wiltshire, England
 - coordinates 51°04′45″N 1°51′45″W / 51.07917, -1.8625
 - elevation 69 m (226 ft)

The River Wylye (pronounced 'Why-lee') is a classic southern England chalk stream; champagne clear water flowing over gravel. Consequently, it is popular with anglers keen on fly-fishing[1].

Contents

[edit] Course

It rises just south of Maiden Bradley and after flowing through the Deverill valley, forms the southern edge of Warminster. It then heads generally east south east, forming the Wylye Valley, into which the A36 road and the Wessex Main Line are also squeezed. The river forms part of the southern edge of Salisbury Plain. It is fed by ephemeral, winterbourne streams so water flow can vary[2].

The river forms part of the River Avon catchment. At Wilton it joins the River Nadder and eventually drains to the sea at Christchurch as part of the River Avon.

[edit] SSSI

In parts the river flows through various SSSI[3]:

[edit] Wylye Valley

The Wylye valley is a picturesque valley dotted with small chocolate box villages comprised of thatched cottages and stone-built pubs.

[edit] Miscellaneous

  • A vineyard is located near the river's source[4].
  • Both Wilton and Wiltshire (Wilton - shire) are named after the river. There is also a village of Wylye.
  • It forms one of the five rivers referred to in the novel Sarum

[edit] Villages

The villages located on the River Wylye include (source to confluence):

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fishing Breaks. Retrieved on 20 Nov 2007.
  2. ^ IUCN. Retrieved on 20 Nov 2007.
  3. ^ English Nature. Retrieved on 20 Nov 2007.
  4. ^ W Wilts Tourism. Retrieved on 20 Nov 2007.
Languages