River Ravensbourne
Encyclopedia
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.
of 180 km2. It flows through the London
Boroughs of Bromley
, Lewisham
and Greenwich
.
The Ravensbourne rises at Caesar's Well, Keston
, four miles south of Bromley town centre, flowing initially in a northerly direction. For the initial third of its length the river flows across common land (including Hayes Common and Bromley Common) until it reaches the southern outskirts of Bromley town where it is joined by the Ravensbourne South Branch and the Ravensbourne East Branch, that substantially increase the flow. It then flows northwards alongside the A21 road (England), passing below Bromley town centre through Church Gardens and Glassmill Reservoir then on into Beckenham Place Park
, the last semi-natural reach of the river, then further north through Ladywell Fields, where considerable renaturalisation work has been taking place since 2007/08.
South of Bellingham
, the small river Spring Brook joins the Ravensbourne after flowing only about one mile (1.6 km) from the east through Plaistow
and Downham
; it crosses the borough boundary from Bromley to Lewisham and narrow parkland named Shaftesbury Park Recreation Ground and Downham Playing Fields follow it along its short course.
Just above Catford
it is joined by the River Pool. The Ravensbourne is also joined by the River Quaggy
(known upstream of Sundridge Park as Kyd Brook) (3.5 miles (5.6 km) in length). This rises near Farnborough Hospital at Pratts Bottom then flows north through Petts Wood
to Sundridge Park in Bromley where its name changes to the River Quaggy. It then flows northwards through the Mottingham
area to Kidbrooke
where it then turns westwards through Manor Park in Lee
, before joining the Ravensbourne at Loampit Vale in Lewisham
. Numerous other small streams and surface water outfalls join the main river between its source and confluence. Until the 19th century one such stream flowed from Brockley Cross crossing Tanners Hill before joining at Deptford Creek.
Its confluence
with the Thames is in Greenwich Reach, north-east of Deptford
town centre and downstream of the A2 (and west of Greenwich).
recorded eleven corn mills
on the Ravensbourne in the 11th century.
The 17th century London
diarist
John Evelyn
bought one of these mills – Brookmills – in 1668 for "grinding colour".
The bridge over Deptford Creek was the site of the Battle of Deptford Bridge, 17 June 1497, the last battle of the Cornish Rebellion of 1497
.
From the 16th century onwards until its closure in the 19th century, the proximity of Royal Dockyard
created by Henry VIII
at Deptford gave employment to many small shipbuilders on the creek
. Queen Elizabeth I knighted Francis Drake
on board the Golden Hind
in Deptford Creek on Drake's return from his circumnavigation of the globe in 1580. The Golden Hind remained moored in the creek until it broke up.
Deptford Creek was also host to a large power station
, now dismantled ; as well as many other heavy industries. Now regeneration of the area is under way. For much of the lower reach between Lewisham
and the Thames, the Ravensbourne (and Deptford Creek) is joined by the Docklands Light Railway
. Indeed the channel was diverted in Brookmill Park so that the DLR could run along the route of the river. A new bend in the river was constructed that gave more natural banks and created a better habitat for flora and fauna. There are also a number of new developments, including the Laban Dance Centre
and apartment blocks at the mouth of the creek alongside the Thames, just a short walk away from Greenwich town centre. The comedy club Up the Creek is located near the historic Deptford Railway Bridge and has hosted several noted comedians.
Between 1974 and 1997, the name of the river was used for the Ravensbourne Parliament constituency
within the London Borough of Bromley. It also gives its name to a railway station
.
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 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,...
in South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, 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 flows into the River Thames on the Tideway
Tideway
The Tideway is a name given to the part of the River Thames in England that is subject to tides. This stretch of water is downstream from Teddington Lock and is just under long...
at Deptford
Deptford
Deptford is a district of south London, England, located on the south bank of the River Thames. It is named after a ford of the River Ravensbourne, and from the mid 16th century to the late 19th was home to Deptford Dockyard, the first of the Royal Navy Dockyards.Deptford and the docks are...
, where its tidal reach is known as Deptford Creek.
Geography
The Ravensbourne is 11 miles (17.4 km) in length with a total catchment areaDrainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of 180 km2. It flows through the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Boroughs 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:...
, 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...
and 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...
.
The Ravensbourne rises at Caesar's Well, Keston
Keston
Keston is a part suburban, part rural area of the London Borough of Bromley, England. It lies on the edge of Hayes Common, to the northwest of Greater London's border with Kent.-History:...
, four miles south of Bromley town centre, flowing initially in a northerly direction. For the initial third of its length the river flows across common land (including Hayes Common and Bromley Common) until it reaches the southern outskirts of Bromley town where it is joined by the Ravensbourne South Branch and the Ravensbourne East Branch, that substantially increase the flow. It then flows northwards alongside the A21 road (England), passing below Bromley town centre through Church Gardens and Glassmill Reservoir then on into Beckenham Place Park
Beckenham Place Park
Beckenham Place Park is located mainly in Beckenham but is under the jurisdiction of the London Borough of Lewisham in South East London. The Park lies on the Lewisham/Bromley border strictly speaking between Downham, Bellingham, Beckenham and Shortlands. It was acquired from the Cator Estate by...
, the last semi-natural reach of the river, then further north through Ladywell Fields, where considerable renaturalisation work has been taking place since 2007/08.
South of Bellingham
Bellingham, London
Bellingham is a neighbourhood and electoral ward in the London Borough of Lewisham, and consists mainly of social/council housing built in the 1920s on what was then farm land. Many houses have been bought by the tenants under the Right to Buy Scheme. However, the majority are still rented out to...
, the small river Spring Brook joins the Ravensbourne after flowing only about one mile (1.6 km) from the east through Plaistow
Plaistow, Bromley
Plaistow is a locality in the London Borough of Bromley, bordered by the London Borough of Lewisham to the north. It is within the Bromley post town and the BR postcode area....
and Downham
Downham
Downham is a district located in south-east London, occupying much of the boundary between the London Borough of Lewisham and the London Borough of Bromley; it is the name of an electoral ward covering much of the area on the Lewisham side...
; it crosses the borough boundary from Bromley to Lewisham and narrow parkland named Shaftesbury Park Recreation Ground and Downham Playing Fields follow it along its short course.
Just above Catford
Catford
Catford 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.-Architecture:...
it is joined by the River Pool. The Ravensbourne is also joined by the River Quaggy
River Quaggy
The River Quaggy is an urban river, 17 km in length, passing through the south-east London boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham; it is known as the Kyd Brook, in its upper reaches...
(known upstream of Sundridge Park as Kyd Brook) (3.5 miles (5.6 km) in length). This rises near Farnborough Hospital at Pratts Bottom then flows north through Petts Wood
Petts 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...
to Sundridge Park in Bromley where its name changes to the River Quaggy. It then flows northwards through the 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...
area to 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...
where it then turns westwards through Manor Park in 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...
, before joining the Ravensbourne at Loampit Vale 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:...
. Numerous other small streams and surface water outfalls join the main river between its source and confluence. Until the 19th century one such stream flowed from Brockley Cross crossing Tanners Hill before joining at Deptford Creek.
Its confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
with the Thames is in Greenwich Reach, north-east of Deptford
Deptford
Deptford is a district of south London, England, located on the south bank of the River Thames. It is named after a ford of the River Ravensbourne, and from the mid 16th century to the late 19th was home to Deptford Dockyard, the first of the Royal Navy Dockyards.Deptford and the docks are...
town centre and downstream of the A2 (and west of Greenwich).
History
The Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
recorded eleven corn mills
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
on the Ravensbourne in the 11th century.
The 17th century London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
diarist
Diary
A diary is a record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. A personal diary may include a person's experiences, and/or thoughts or feelings, including comment on current events outside the writer's direct experience. Someone...
John Evelyn
John Evelyn
John Evelyn was an English writer, gardener and diarist.Evelyn's diaries or Memoirs are largely contemporaneous with those of the other noted diarist of the time, Samuel Pepys, and cast considerable light on the art, culture and politics of the time John Evelyn (31 October 1620 – 27 February...
bought one of these mills – Brookmills – in 1668 for "grinding colour".
The bridge over Deptford Creek was the site of the Battle of Deptford Bridge, 17 June 1497, the last battle of the Cornish Rebellion of 1497
Cornish Rebellion of 1497
The Cornish Rebellion of 1497 was a popular uprising by the people of Cornwall in the far southwest of Britain. Its primary cause was a response of people to the raising of war taxes by King Henry VII on the impoverished Cornish, to raise money for a campaign against Scotland motivated by brief...
.
From the 16th century onwards until its closure in the 19th century, the proximity of Royal Dockyard
Royal Navy Dockyard
Royal Navy Dockyards are harbours where either commissioned ships are based, or where ships are overhauled and refitted. Historically, the Royal Navy maintained a string of dockyards around the world, although few are now operating today....
created by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
at Deptford gave employment to many small shipbuilders on the creek
Creek (tidal)
A tidal creek, tidal channel, or estuary is the portion of a stream that is affected by ebb and flow of ocean tides, in the case that the subject stream discharges to an ocean, sea or strait. Thus this portion of the stream has variable salinity and electrical conductivity over the tidal cycle...
. Queen Elizabeth I knighted Francis Drake
Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth I of England awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the...
on board the Golden Hind
Golden Hind
The Golden Hind was an English galleon best known for its circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake...
in Deptford Creek on Drake's return from his circumnavigation of the globe in 1580. The Golden Hind remained moored in the creek until it broke up.
Deptford Creek was also host to a large power station
Deptford Power Station
Deptford Power Station was a coal-fired power station on the south bank of the River Thames at Deptford, south east London.-Deptford East:The first station was designed in 1887 by Sebastian de Ferranti for the London Electric Supply Corporation. It was located at the Stowage, a site to the west of...
, now dismantled ; as well as many other heavy industries. Now regeneration of the area is under way. For much of the lower reach between 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:...
and the Thames, the Ravensbourne (and Deptford Creek) is joined by the Docklands Light Railway
Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened on 31 August 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London...
. Indeed the channel was diverted in Brookmill Park so that the DLR could run along the route of the river. A new bend in the river was constructed that gave more natural banks and created a better habitat for flora and fauna. There are also a number of new developments, including the Laban Dance Centre
Laban Dance Centre
Laban in Deptford, south-east London, is a conservatoire and centre for contemporary dance, and includes 13 dance studios, a 300-seat theatre, dance health suite, Pilates studio, library and café...
and apartment blocks at the mouth of the creek alongside the Thames, just a short walk away from Greenwich town centre. The comedy club Up the Creek is located near the historic Deptford Railway Bridge and has hosted several noted comedians.
Between 1974 and 1997, the name of the river was used for the Ravensbourne Parliament constituency
Ravensbourne (UK Parliament constituency)
Ravensbourne was a borough constituency in south London. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom by the first-past-the-post system...
within the London Borough of Bromley. It also gives its name to a railway station
Ravensbourne railway station
Ravensbourne railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It is in Travelcard Zone 4, and the station and all trains are operated by Southeastern....
.
See also
- Tributaries of the River ThamesTributaries of the River ThamesThis article lists the tributaries of the River Thames, in England. It also includes significant backwaters and waterways which also have confluences with the main stream of the River Thames.Most of the tributaries are natural, but a few were man-made...
- List of rivers in England
- The River QuaggyRiver QuaggyThe River Quaggy is an urban river, 17 km in length, passing through the south-east London boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham; it is known as the Kyd Brook, in its upper reaches...