River Hamps
Encyclopedia
The River Hamps is a river in Staffordshire
, England
. It is tributary of the River Manifold
, which itself flows into the River Dove near Ilam
. For its entire length the river flows through the Peak District National Park.
title, "Hanespe" which derives from the British name, which means "summer dry", i.e. dry in summer. This is due to the fact that the river disappears underground during the summer.
. It flows south through the villages Onecote and Winkhill, then flows east, to Waterhouses
an finally north to meet the Manifold under Beeston Tor
. The woodlands of this last stretch are part of the National Trust's South Peak Estate
.
From Waterhouses to the River Manifold the valley carries the track of the former Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway
, now part of the Manifold Way, an 8 mile walk- and cycle-path.
During the summer months the river disappears underground and re-emerges at Hamps Spring near Ilam
. During this time the river bed from north of Waterhouses
through to the confluence with the River Manifold
runs dry.
In the 1960/70s there were controversial proposals to build a major new reservoir just north of Winkhill, inside the National Park. The reservoir would have been broad and relatively shallow. However in the end these proposals were dropped in favour of the reservoir at Carsington Water.
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is tributary of the River Manifold
River Manifold
The River Manifold is a river in Staffordshire, England. It is a tributary of the River Dove ....
, which itself flows into the River Dove near Ilam
Ilam, Staffordshire
Ilam is a village in the Staffordshire Peak District, lying on the River Manifold. This article describes some of the main features of the village and surroundings.- Ilam village :...
. For its entire length the river flows through the Peak District National Park.
Etymology
The name Hamps derives from its Middle EnglishMiddle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
title, "Hanespe" which derives from the British name, which means "summer dry", i.e. dry in summer. This is due to the fact that the river disappears underground during the summer.
Course
The Hamps rises on the high moorland , on the south side of Merryton Low, east of Upper HulmeUpper Hulme
Upper Hulme is a hamlet situated on the border in North Staffordshire near the border with Derbyshire and between Leek and Buxton.The area is popular with climbers as it is located very close to The Roaches....
. It flows south through the villages Onecote and Winkhill, then flows east, to Waterhouses
Waterhouses, Staffordshire
Waterhouses is a village in the south of the Staffordshire Peak District.It is around 8 miles from Leek and Ashbourne, being nearly the halfway point between the two towns on the A523 road, which roughly follows the southern boundary of the Peak District National Park...
an finally north to meet the Manifold under Beeston Tor
Beeston Tor
Beeston Tor is a limestone cliff in Staffordshire. It overlooks the confluence of the River Hamps with the River Manifold, and is popular with climbers....
. The woodlands of this last stretch are part of the National Trust's South Peak Estate
South Peak Estate
The South Peak Estate of the National Trust comprises several land holdings in the Southern Peak District. Some of these, like Shining Cliff Wood and Alport Height, are just outside the National Park boundary...
.
From Waterhouses to the River Manifold the valley carries the track of the former Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway
Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway
The Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway was a narrow gauge railway in Staffordshire, Great Britain that operated between 1904 and 1934. When in operation, the line mainly carried milk from dairies in the region, acting as a feeder to the standard gauge system. It also provided passenger...
, now part of the Manifold Way, an 8 mile walk- and cycle-path.
During the summer months the river disappears underground and re-emerges at Hamps Spring near Ilam
Ilam, Staffordshire
Ilam is a village in the Staffordshire Peak District, lying on the River Manifold. This article describes some of the main features of the village and surroundings.- Ilam village :...
. During this time the river bed from north of Waterhouses
Waterhouses
Waterhouses may refer to:*Waterhouses, County Durham*Waterhouses, Staffordshire*Waterhouses railway station*Waterhouses railway station...
through to the confluence with the River Manifold
River Manifold
The River Manifold is a river in Staffordshire, England. It is a tributary of the River Dove ....
runs dry.
In the 1960/70s there were controversial proposals to build a major new reservoir just north of Winkhill, inside the National Park. The reservoir would have been broad and relatively shallow. However in the end these proposals were dropped in favour of the reservoir at Carsington Water.