The River Severn is the longest river in the UK and it holds historic significance for many of Shropshire’s main towns and villages.
About The River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in the UK.
It’s source is up in the Plynlimon mountain range in Wales and it makes its way 220 miles down the countryside to Bristol. It runs through some of Shropshire’s main villages and towns including Shrewsbury, Ironbridge, Coalport and Bridgnorth.
The Severn was formed 15,000 years ago when ice melt over the North Shropshire plain creating a new route from the Dee river and this became the River Severn as we know it today.
Means of Transportation
The river played a huge significance to the people living in the riverside towns and villages and was used by river trows, barges and frigates for the transport of goods. Barges were built by the river banks in Shrewsbury and down river from Ironbridge in the village of Jackfield, on the site where the Half Moon Pub now stands.
The barges would be powered by oars (and sometimes sail) and run in the Autumn/Winter months when the river was flowing higher, with horses being used to pull the vessels back up the river. The Severn became a significant transport system in western Britain and during the mid-18th century at the birth of the Industrial Revolution carried iron castings from Coalbrookdale.
The use of barges for the transport of goods declined with the advent of the railways and the river became more popular for recreational activities.
Accommodation For Workers
The area of Ironbridge was built with lots of inns and warehouses to accommodate the workers.
Loadcroft Wharf, where the Museum of the Gorge now stands, was where the Coalbrookdale and Lightmoor Companies would load and unload goods such as iron and coal.
There was an increase in traffic on the river during the reign of Elizabeth I when miners of the Severn Gorge found markets for their coal with bargemen staying away from home for weeks at a time.
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Ice Skating on the River
Huge sections of the river would be frozen in Winter which stopped all navigation.
However, during this time frost fairs became popular in Shrewsbury.
During the great frost of 1739, a fair was held on the River Severn in Shrewsbury with various activities taking place including ice skating on the river.
Weirs
A network of weirs was created along the tributaries to the Severn and traps would be attached to catch eels and fish.
However, in 1575 there was an order to remove 28 weirs to increase navigation on the river, however, a weir still exists in Shrewsbury today.
The River Severn Today
In more recent times the Rogers family, famous in Ironbridge for their round circular boats known as coracles, would paddle the Severn fishing and also use them to cross the river.
The River Severn in Shropshire is now a popular location for recreational activities.
Recently the popularity of hiring stand-up paddleboard, rafts and coracles has taken off and there has been an increase in the number of people looking to enjoy a day on the river away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Children are also being introduced at an earlier age to water activities through schools, clubs and youth groups.
Nearby Places to Stay
Cool Cabin | Lakeside Accommodation | Staffordshire
Water's Edge, Reacliffe Road, Rudyard, Staffordshire, ST13 8RS
Riverside Cabins | Shrewsbury
Stanwardine Lane, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1HY
The Old Pumphouse
Upperhulme, Nr. Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8TY
More Shropshire Guides