The Severn Way

The source of the River Severn is high in Cambrian Mountains in Wales. It runs for around 350km until it forms an estuary as it flows into the Bristol Channel, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The Severn is Britain's longest river and, after the Yangtse in China, has the largest tides in the world at a massive 15 metres!

At certain points during the year you can witness one of nature's great shows - the Severn Bore. The Bore is basically a tidal wave that forces its way up the river against the current, creating a large wave. It's a natural phenomenon that occurs in the lower reaches of a few rivers throughout the world. The Bore is formed when the tide rises in a converging channel with a rising river bed formed in a funnel shape. Particularly large tides occur when the moon and the sun are in line with the Earth. The Bore can travel at an average speed of 10mph and reach two metres in height. The best (and safest) place to view a Bore on this stretch of the walk is from Over Bridge. For a Severn Bore timetable, check out the Environment Agency website.

Ducks on the Severn

The banks of the Severn along this stretch are home to a variety of creatures. You can see many species of birds including river dwelling birds like ducks, swans, snipe and moorhen. Magpies, swallows, robins and other birds frequent this area too.

Animal species you can see at various points of the year along this stretch include water voles, mink, otter and rabbits. In fact this stretch is home to quite a large colony of rabbits and, if you stay still, you'll see loads of them appear from the safety of bushy undergrowth and hop around the wide field you're on.

Discover more... Check out our Alney Island wildlife guide to find out what creatures you could see on the walk! Click here to launch the wildlife guide

The Severn itself is home to a wide range of fish including the rare Elver. Elvers begin life as eel larvae and drift from their birthplace in the Sargasso Sea for three years across the Atlantic Ocean to the Severn. They head up the river to mature over a period of eight to 15 years before heading back down and out to sea again. From there they head back to the Sargasso Sea to breed, never to return to the Severn.

Continuing up the Severn Way, you'll reach the end of the pathway - there's a stile on your right. Cross with caution though because there's a busy road on the other side. Once you're safely on the other side of the road, head left along the pavement beneath the electricity pylons. Continue along the road for about 200 metres and look for a footpath on your right.

...Now join this footpath to begin the Alney Island stage of the walk.