River Nadder
Encyclopedia
The River Nadder is one of the chalk stream
rivers of southern England, much sought after by fly fishermen because of its clear waters and abundance of brown trout. It is one of the main tributaries of the River Avon
, rising from a number of springs and small streams at Donhead St. Mary
in south Wiltshire. The river winds its way east-northeast, heading towards the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury
.
During the course of its 32 kilometre journey the Nadder meanders and widens gradually until it flows through the park of Wilton House
to the west of Salisbury after which the river joins the River Wylye
, another tributary of the Avon. For its last few kilometres it passes through the unspoilt water meadows at Harnham
on the outskirts of the city, and finally into the River Avon beneath a backdrop of the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral
spire.
The origin of the name is from Brythonic
nootr, "flowing water". Folk etymology derives it from the perceived likeness of its meanderings to an adder
, the original Old English name for which was a nadder.
Chalk stream
Chalk streams have characteristics which set them apart from watercourses associated with other rock types.Aside from those with an interest in the geological and ecological disciplines, the term chalk stream is most widely used among a small group of fly fishermen ,...
rivers of southern England, much sought after by fly fishermen because of its clear waters and abundance of brown trout. It is one of the main tributaries of the River Avon
River Avon, Hampshire
The River Avon is a river in the south of England. The river rises in the county of Wiltshire and flows through the city of Salisbury and the county of Hampshire before reaching the English Channel through Christchurch Harbour in the county of Dorset....
, rising from a number of springs and small streams at Donhead St. Mary
Donhead St. Mary
Donhead St Mary is a village and civil parish in the English county of Wiltshire. The parish includes the smaller settlement of Coombe.-Local government:Donhead St Mary is a civil parish with an elected parish council...
in south Wiltshire. The river winds its way east-northeast, heading towards the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
.
During the course of its 32 kilometre journey the Nadder meanders and widens gradually until it flows through the park of Wilton House
Wilton House
Wilton House is an English country house situated at Wilton near Salisbury in Wiltshire. It has been the country seat of the Earls of Pembroke for over 400 years....
to the west of Salisbury after which the river joins the River Wylye
River Wylye
The River Wylye is a classic southern England chalk stream; champagne clear water flowing over gravel. Consequently, it is popular with anglers keen on fly fishing.- Course :...
, another tributary of the Avon. For its last few kilometres it passes through the unspoilt water meadows at Harnham
Harnham
Harnham is a suburb of the cathedral City of Salisbury in Wiltshire, though there has probably been some form of human habitation in the area since the Iron Age. It consists of two wards: West and East Harnham, which currently have a combined population of around 7,300...
on the outskirts of the city, and finally into the River Avon beneath a backdrop of the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
spire.
The origin of the name is from Brythonic
British language
The British language was an ancient Celtic language spoken in Britain.British language may also refer to:* Any of the Languages of the United Kingdom.*The Welsh language or the Brythonic languages more generally* British English...
nootr, "flowing water". Folk etymology derives it from the perceived likeness of its meanderings to an adder
Adder
Adder may refer to:Snakes:* Any of several groups of venomous snakes of the Viperidae family including Vipera berus, the common European adder, found in Europe and northern Asia...
, the original Old English name for which was a nadder.