River Quaggy
Encyclopedia
The River Quaggy is an urban river, 17 km in length, passing through the south-east London borough
s of Bromley
, Greenwich
and Lewisham
; it is known as the Kyd Brook, in its upper reaches. The river rises from two sources
near Farnborough Hospital at Locksbottom
and is a tributary
of the River Ravensbourne
which it flows into near Lewisham station
in Lewisham
.
A long stretch of Kyd Brook is visible in Hawkwood, an area of open farmland and countryside upstream of Chislehurst and is owned and managed by the National Trust, but open to the public free of charge. From there the river flows northwards through Sundridge Park Golf Course then on across Chinbrook Meadows
between Chinbrook
and Grove Park, then through the outer parts of Mottingham
and Middle Park into Sutcliffe Park and the edge of Eltham
. The river then flows west through southern Kidbrooke
and Blackheath
then finally through Lee
and its park Manor House Gardens into Lewisham
where it joins the River Ravensbourne
next to Lewisham station
. In Sutcliffe Park, the river used to run under the road and covered culvert through the park. This was remodelled several years ago to reintroduce a flood area to protect areas further down stream. Also this created a marshy area for wildlife to return. It is now an oasis full of wildlife in the middle of two major roads.
As part of the Ravensbourne catchment area, the river is kept constantly under inspection by the Environment Agency which issues flood warnings when applicable.
and other parks was channelized into long straight concrete culvert
s to alleviate flooding. In Chinbrook Meadows the channelized river was closed off behind tall hedges and iron fences, this cut the park in two with the larger part to the east of the river. In the early 2000s however the concrete channel with its fences and hedges was demolished and river was remodelled to give a natural, meandering appearance with a small flood plain; this was to encourage wild plants and animals back to the area and to be more pleasant and attractive for the public. There are several wooden foot bridges over the river, that replaced the concrete ones with iron fences. The regeneration was completed on 1 October 2002 and cost a reported £1.1million. Since the restoration Chinbrook Meadows has won the Green Flag Award
in two years in a row. Shortly after the regeneration was completed the Quaggy was given a similar regeneration further downstream within Sutcliffe Park, a mile and a half to the north.
in the 19th and 20th centuries, for example in Edith Nesbit
's The New Treasure Seekers. The name probably originated from the words quagmire
and quaggy; but it has now become a proper noun
as opposed to an adjective
or common noun.
took its name from the river but is on its lower reaches, but there are two tributaries here called Middle Kid Brook and Lower Kid Brook. The place Chinbrook
is derived from "Chin Brook" which was another alternative name for the Quaggy River in that area at the turn of the twentieth century.
of the River Ravensbourne
which in turn flows into the River Thames
. The Quaggy also has several small and named tributaries of its own. From source to mouth they are:
London borough
The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.-Functions:...
s of Bromley
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
, Greenwich
London Borough of Greenwich
The London Borough of Greenwich is an Inner London borough in south-east London, England. Taking its name from the historic town of Greenwich, the present borough was formed in 1965 by the amalgamation of the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich with part of the Metropolitan...
and Lewisham
London Borough of Lewisham
The London Borough of Lewisham is a London borough in south-east London, England and forms part of Inner London. The principal settlement of the borough is Lewisham...
; it is known as the Kyd Brook, in its upper reaches. The river rises from two sources
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
near Farnborough Hospital at Locksbottom
Locksbottom
Locksbottom is a place in the London Borough of Bromley in London, England.It consists of a parade of shops on Crofton Road running from the Fantail to Tugmutton Common. At one end is the Black Horse pub and the Whyte Lion pub at the other...
and is a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the River Ravensbourne
River Ravensbourne
The River Ravensbourne is a tributary of the River Thames in South London, England. It flows into the River Thames on the Tideway at Deptford, where its tidal reach is known as Deptford Creek.- Geography :...
which it flows into near Lewisham station
Lewisham station
Lewisham station is a National Rail and Docklands Light Railway station in Lewisham, south east London. It is on the south-east London commuter rail network operated by Southeastern. The Docklands Light Railway station opened in 1999 on a southward extension from Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs...
in Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
.
A long stretch of Kyd Brook is visible in Hawkwood, an area of open farmland and countryside upstream of Chislehurst and is owned and managed by the National Trust, but open to the public free of charge. From there the river flows northwards through Sundridge Park Golf Course then on across Chinbrook Meadows
Chinbrook Meadows
Chinbrook Meadows sometimes Chinbrook Meadow in southeast London, England is one of Lewisham's public open spaces or parks in the south of Chinbrook and Grove Park in the London Borough of Lewisham and postcode district but next to the border with the London Borough of Bromley and the postcode...
between Chinbrook
Chinbrook
Chinbrook is a suburb in southeast London; it is located southeast of Charing Cross and is in the southeast corner of the London Borough of Lewisham on its boundary with the London Borough of Bromley...
and Grove Park, then through the outer parts of Mottingham
Mottingham
Mottingham is a district of south London, England; located at the convergence of the London Borough of Bromley, the London Borough of Lewisham and the London Borough of Greenwich...
and Middle Park into Sutcliffe Park and the edge of Eltham
Eltham, London
-Parks and open spaces:There is a large variety of open green space in Eltham, in the form of parkland, fields and woodland.*Avery Hill Park is large, open parkland, situated to the east of Eltham. It is most notable for its Winter Garden, a hothouse containing tropical trees and plants from around...
. The river then flows west through southern Kidbrooke
Kidbrooke
Kidbrooke is a district of South East London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The district takes its name from the Kyd Brook, a watercourse which runs from Orpington to Lewisham, by which point it is part of the River Quaggy...
and Blackheath
Blackheath, London
Blackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
then finally through Lee
Lee, London
Lee is a district of south London, England, located mostly in the London Borough of Lewisham and partly in the London Borough of Greenwich. The district lies to the east of Lewisham, one mile west of Eltham, and one mile south of Blackheath village...
and its park Manor House Gardens into Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
where it joins the River Ravensbourne
River Ravensbourne
The River Ravensbourne is a tributary of the River Thames in South London, England. It flows into the River Thames on the Tideway at Deptford, where its tidal reach is known as Deptford Creek.- Geography :...
next to Lewisham station
Lewisham station
Lewisham station is a National Rail and Docklands Light Railway station in Lewisham, south east London. It is on the south-east London commuter rail network operated by Southeastern. The Docklands Light Railway station opened in 1999 on a southward extension from Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs...
. In Sutcliffe Park, the river used to run under the road and covered culvert through the park. This was remodelled several years ago to reintroduce a flood area to protect areas further down stream. Also this created a marshy area for wildlife to return. It is now an oasis full of wildlife in the middle of two major roads.
As part of the Ravensbourne catchment area, the river is kept constantly under inspection by the Environment Agency which issues flood warnings when applicable.
River engineering
In the 1960s the River Quaggy within Chinbrook MeadowsChinbrook Meadows
Chinbrook Meadows sometimes Chinbrook Meadow in southeast London, England is one of Lewisham's public open spaces or parks in the south of Chinbrook and Grove Park in the London Borough of Lewisham and postcode district but next to the border with the London Borough of Bromley and the postcode...
and other parks was channelized into long straight concrete culvert
Culvert
A culvert is a device used to channel water. It may be used to allow water to pass underneath a road, railway, or embankment. Culverts can be made of many different materials; steel, polyvinyl chloride and concrete are the most common...
s to alleviate flooding. In Chinbrook Meadows the channelized river was closed off behind tall hedges and iron fences, this cut the park in two with the larger part to the east of the river. In the early 2000s however the concrete channel with its fences and hedges was demolished and river was remodelled to give a natural, meandering appearance with a small flood plain; this was to encourage wild plants and animals back to the area and to be more pleasant and attractive for the public. There are several wooden foot bridges over the river, that replaced the concrete ones with iron fences. The regeneration was completed on 1 October 2002 and cost a reported £1.1million. Since the restoration Chinbrook Meadows has won the Green Flag Award
Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards...
in two years in a row. Shortly after the regeneration was completed the Quaggy was given a similar regeneration further downstream within Sutcliffe Park, a mile and a half to the north.
Name
The name has existed for quite a long while; references to it can be found in numerous works of British fictionFiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
in the 19th and 20th centuries, for example in Edith Nesbit
E. Nesbit
Edith Nesbit was an English author and poet whose children's works were published under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on over 60 books of fiction for children, several of which have been adapted for film and television...
's The New Treasure Seekers. The name probably originated from the words quagmire
Quagmire
Quagmire may refer to:* Water infused earth or a bog. Solid ground may turn to quagmire following substantial rainfall.* By extension, a situation that is difficult to get out of.* A tactical defense made when defending a territory close to a river...
and quaggy; but it has now become a proper noun
Proper noun
A proper noun or proper name is a noun representing a unique entity , as distinguished from a common noun, which represents a class of entities —for example, city, planet, person or corporation)...
as opposed to an adjective
Adjective
In grammar, an adjective is a 'describing' word; the main syntactic role of which is to qualify a noun or noun phrase, giving more information about the object signified....
or common noun.
Other names
The river has been known by other names. Today Kyd Brook usually refers to the river in its upper reaches in Chislehurst and Farnborough. The place KidbrookeKidbrooke
Kidbrooke is a district of South East London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The district takes its name from the Kyd Brook, a watercourse which runs from Orpington to Lewisham, by which point it is part of the River Quaggy...
took its name from the river but is on its lower reaches, but there are two tributaries here called Middle Kid Brook and Lower Kid Brook. The place Chinbrook
Chinbrook
Chinbrook is a suburb in southeast London; it is located southeast of Charing Cross and is in the southeast corner of the London Borough of Lewisham on its boundary with the London Borough of Bromley...
is derived from "Chin Brook" which was another alternative name for the Quaggy River in that area at the turn of the twentieth century.
Tributaries
The River Quaggy itself is a tributaryTributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the River Ravensbourne
River Ravensbourne
The River Ravensbourne is a tributary of the River Thames in South London, England. It flows into the River Thames on the Tideway at Deptford, where its tidal reach is known as Deptford Creek.- Geography :...
which in turn flows into the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
. The Quaggy also has several small and named tributaries of its own. From source to mouth they are:
- Main Branch (3.7 km)
- East Branch (2.2 km) - the two branches rise in Locksbottom, flow north and join together at Petts WoodPetts Wood-History:The name appeared first in 1577 as "the wood of the Pett family", who were shipbuilders and leased the wood as a source of timbers. William Willett, a campaigner for daylight saving time, lived in nearby Chislehurst for most of his life, and is commemorated by a memorial sundial in the...
. - Milk Street Ditch (0.3 km), rises near and is named after Milk Street in SundridgeSundridge, BromleySundridge is situated in the north of the London Borough of Bromley, in the ward of Plaistow and Sundridge. Sundridge is south of Grove Park in the London Borough of Lewisham. On the west side of Sundridge is Downham is for the most part in the BR postcode area.The district contains Sundridge Park...
, then flows east and joins the Quaggy in Sundridge Park Golf Course. - Grove Park Ditch (0.5 km), rises in Lower Marvels Wood, Mottingham, flows west and joins the Quaggy in Chinbrook Meadows.
- Little Quaggy (0.7 km), rises in Mottingham, flows west and joins the Quaggy near Horn ParkHorn Park-History:Horn Park was one of three parks attached to Eltham Palace. The area was heavily wooded and was stocked with deer until the destruction of both during the English Civil War. The park became farmland until 1936 when the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich began the construction of the Horn...
- Lower Kid Brooke (2.5 km), rises in Well Hall, Eltham and flows southeast splitting into two distributaries before and joining the Quaggy in southern BlackheathBlackheath, LondonBlackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
. - Middle Kid Brooke (1.9 km), rises in KidbrookeKidbrookeKidbrooke is a district of South East London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The district takes its name from the Kyd Brook, a watercourse which runs from Orpington to Lewisham, by which point it is part of the River Quaggy...
and flows southest splitting into two distributaries before joining the Quaggy in LeeLee, LondonLee is a district of south London, England, located mostly in the London Borough of Lewisham and partly in the London Borough of Greenwich. The district lies to the east of Lewisham, one mile west of Eltham, and one mile south of Blackheath village...
. These tributaries give their name to Kidbrooke. - Quaggy Hither Green (1 km), rises in Hither GreenHither GreenHither Green is a district in south east London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated 6.6 miles south east of Charing Cross, and on the Prime Meridian....
and flows north joining the Quaggy north of Hither Green railway stationHither Green railway stationHither Green is a railway station located in Hither Green in the London Borough of Lewisham, in southeast London, United Kingdom. Hither Green is a busy commuter station with services to several London termini and destinations to the southeast Hither Green is a railway station located in Hither...
.
External links
- Quaggy Waterways Action Group
- Quaggy maps
- Restoring the Quaggy article, London Parks & Gardens TrustLondon Parks & Gardens TrustThe London Parks & Gardens Trust is an independent charity based in London, England.The Trust aims to increase knowledge and appreciation of parks, squares, community gardens, cemeteries and churchyards in London. It was launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 1994. Its headquarters are at Duck...