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Severn Bore 2011
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Gloucestershire
Tel: +44 01452 521014
The Severn Bore is one of Britain's few truly spectacular natural phenomena. It is a large surge wave that can be seen in the estuary of the River Severn, where the tidal range is the 2nd highest in the world, being as much as 50 feet (approx. 15.4m).
As many as 60 bores occur throughout the world where the river estuary is the right shape and the tidal conditions are such that the wave is able to form.
The Severn Bore (one of 8 in the UK) is one of the biggest in the world but bores also occur on the Seine and Gironde in France, on the Indus, Hooghly and Brahmaputra in India, on the Amazon in Brazil, on the Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, and also the Knik Arm bore at the head of Cook Inlet, Alaska.
The shape of the Severn estuary is such that the water is funnelled into an increasingly narrow channel as the tide rises, thus forming the large wave. The river's course takes it past Avonmouth where it is approximately 5 miles wide, then past Beachley and Aust, then Lydney and Sharpness where it is approximately 1 mile wide, and soon the river is down to a width of a few hundred yards. By the time the river reaches Minsterworth it is less than a hundred yards across, maintaining this width all the way to Gloucester.
As well as the width of the river decreasing rapidly, then so does the depth of the river also change rapidly, thereby forming a funnel shape. Therefore as the incoming tide travels up the estuary, it is routed into an ever decreasing channel. Consequently the surge wave or bore is formed.
You can catch a glimpse of the Severn Bore at numerous locations along the River Severn, but the best vantage points are located at Minsterworth, Stonebench and Over Bridge.
Click to enlarge images below:
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Road Directions
To get to Minsterworth: From the North or South, exit the M5 at Junction 11. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A40 (signposted Gloucester/Cirencester). At Elmbridge Court roundabout take the 4th exit (signposted Ross). At the following roundabout take the 2nd exit (A40). At Over roundabout take the 2nd exit (A40). At Highnam roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A48. Continue on the A48. Continue for approximately 2 miles until you reach Minsterworth. The River is on your left hand side.
To get to Stonebench: From the North or South, exit the M5 at Junction 12. At the roundabout take the first exit onto the B4008. At the Cross Keys roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A38. At the next roundabout continue forward. At the set of traffic lights turn left (signposted Quedgeley). At the next set of traffic lights turn right into Green Farm (Merlin Drive). Continue forward at the next roundabout and then take the 3rd exit at the following roundabout onto Elmore Lane West (Stonebench signposted). Continue forward over the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. In approximately 200 metres you should see the River Severn on your right.
To get to Over: From the North exit the M5 at Junction 11. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A40 (signposted Gloucester/Cirencester). At Elmbridge Court roundabout take the 4th exit (signposted Ross). At the following roundabout take the 2nd exit (A40). At Over roundabout take the 2nd exit (A40). You are in the area of Over. Over Bridge is just after the roundabout on your left hand side.
To get to Over: From the South: exit the M5 at Junction 12. At the roundabout take the first exit onto the B4008. At the Cross Keys roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A38. At the next roundabout continue forward. At the traffic lights continue forward (stay in the left hand lane, signposted Ross) onto the A430, Secunda Way. Continue forward on this by pass until you come to a roundabout, stay in the left hand lane and take the 2nd exit (on to Hempstead Lane). At the following 2 sets of traffic lights continue forward. At the next set of traffic lights turn left onto the A417 (Over Causeway). At Over roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A40. You are in the area of Over. Over Bridge is just after the roundabout on your left hand side.
Public Transport Directions
To get to Minsterworth: The Stagecoach service 30, 31 and 73 run from Gloucester Bus Station along the A48 through Minsterworth.
To get to Stonebench: The Stagecoach service 12 (from Eastgate Street, Gloucester) and 14 (from the Gloucester Bus Station) run through Bristol Road in Quedgeley. You would need to get off the bus at the ‘Green Farm’ stop. Once you are off the bus you would need to cross the road and take the 2nd exit on your right (Old Elmore Lane). From the Bus stop it would be approximately 20 minutes (walk) to get to the Stonebench viewing point.
To get to Over: The Stagecoach service 30, 31, 24, 24a, 33 and 73 run from Gloucester Bus Station along the A40 to Over. Ask the bus driver to get off the bus at the closest stop to Over Bridge. Please be aware that this is a main road and therefore it is very difficult to get to the other side of the road (to get back to Gloucester).
If you would like further bus information including times please contact Gloucester Tourist Information Centre on 01452 396572.
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