Latest news with #Severn
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Britain's longest river flows through 11 towns and cities and it's stunning
The River Severn is the longest river in the UK, stretching for 220 miles through England and Wales. Here's everything you need to know about the beautiful waterway Stretching over 220 miles, the UK's longest river, the River Severn, meanders through 11 picturesque towns and cities in England and Wales. The river springs from the Cambrian Mountains of Wales, flowing all the way to the Severn Estuary, which feeds into the Bristol Channel and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The Severn's journey encompasses a varied landscape of rugged hills, fertile plains, and historic towns, serving as an essential natural and cultural lifeline for both England and Wales. Originating in the Cambrian Mountains at approximately 610 metres (2,001 feet) above sea level, the River Severn courses through several towns and cities, including Shrewsbury, Worcester and Gloucester. The river commences its journey on the slopes of Plynlimon, where rainfall is plentiful and the terrain steep. As it flows eastward through mid-Wales, it collects waters from tributaries such as the Afon Hengwm and Afon Pysgotwl, forming a robust stream that carves its path through valleys and forests. Upon entering Shropshire, the Severn winds through towns like Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, the latter being home to the world's first cast-iron bridge - a symbol of the Industrial Revolution. Further downstream, the river broadens as it traverses through Worcester and Gloucester, cities rich in history and architecture. The Severn becomes tidal at Gloucester, where it showcases one of its most renowned features - the Severn Bore, a unique tidal wave that travels upstream, drawing surfers and spectators from across the globe, reports the Express. The Severn Estuary is renowned for boasting one of the world's highest tidal ranges, peaking at 14.5 metres, and nurturing a vibrant ecosystem teeming with wetlands, salt marshes, and migratory birds. Its banks offer visitors the opportunity to partake in picturesque walks such as the Severn Way, explore nature reserves like Slimbridge Wetlands, and engage in water sports, river cruises, and heritage railway journeys. The River Severn has historically been a significant trade route and natural boundary, inspiring tales and legends throughout the ages. Known as Sabrina in Latin and Afon Hafren in Welsh, the river continues to play a pivotal role in the region today—providing tranquil vistas and thrilling experiences for those who traverse its course. Following the path of the River Severn, scenic walking trails like the Severn Way provide hikers with breathtaking countryside views and the opportunity to uncover charming towns scattered across the region. As one of the UK's longest riverside routes, it's a firm favourite among nature enthusiasts and history aficionados. One of the standout attractions is Ironbridge Gorge, a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frequently referred to as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, the gorge houses the iconic Iron Bridge, completed in 1779 as the world's first bridge constructed entirely from cast iron. Currently, the area boasts museums and cultural sites that vividly portray its rich industrial history—making it an essential destination for those intrigued by Britain's historical and engineering heritage. Towns and cities River Severn passes through In Wales: Llanidloes Newtown Welshpool In England: Shrewsbury (the county town of Shropshire) Ironbridge (known for its historical significance with the Ironbridge Gorge) Bridgnorth Bewdley Stourport-on-Severn Worcester (a significant city and the county town of Worcestershire) Tewkesbury (where it converges with the River Avon) Gloucester (a cathedral city near the Severn Estuary)
Scotsman
21-07-2025
- Scotsman
Travel review: Why Upper Austria has it all
When we land in Austria we're told by our guide that we're going to drive for a short while, then walk to a beauty spot and admire the view. Sounds good, we think, although there is a little voice at the back of the head which says: 'Ah c'mon, it was an early start, it's almost dinner time and surely we just need to dump the luggage and maybe have one of your famous Austrian beers?' Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Let's get it on record that you should disregard the nonsense that the little voice comes out with, because that panorama - over the Schlögen Loop - is stunning. It's the perfect introduction to an area of the country which deserves a much higher profile. The Schlögen Loop - or Schlögener Schlinge - on the Danube in Upper Austria | Tom Morton/NationalWorld The loop, or the Schlögener Schlinge to give it its much more satisfying native name, is famous, and will probably ring a bell. And our group was, honestly, silenced by the magisterial sight of the huge river bending back on itself, surrounded by rugged hillsides. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We were in Upper Austria (if Austria is whistle-shaped, with the thin Alpine mouthpiece to the west on the Swiss side, then Upper Austria is the northern part of the wide whistle bit, bordering Germany and Czechia). The instant reaction to the Danube is just how big it is, even in the Austrian stretch. It's not that we're not used to big rivers in England, but the Thames and the Severn only really widen when they are approaching the sea - even at Windsor Thames is not huge. At Schlogen, there is the best part of 1,500 miles to go until the Danube's mouth in the Black Sea, and it's an awe-inspiring sight. The next day, fortified by schnitzel for dinner, we head out on bikes along the river. We're on e-bikes, although the level nature of the riverside path means that it would be easy riding even without a bit of help, and in fairness you don't often feel the electric back-up kick in. The Danube at Schlogen, as seen from the Riverresort Donauschlinge | Tom Morton/NationalWorld We're staying at the Riverresort Donauschlinge, which looks out over the loop, and the river path is next to the hotel. (A quick word on the cycle paths on that stretch of river - superb. For a regular cyclist, to have a smooth, tarmac-ed route that is off-road only in the sense that you need not worry about cars, is wonderful. The surface put many of our roads to shame. It would be perfect for a family trip, and experienced cyclists would absolutely eat up the miles should they choose.) Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How the virtual reality appears on phone when you scan the QR codes at the Roman Burgus Oberranna by the Danube | Tom Morton/National World We took it leisurely, heading up river on the west bank, in a north west direction, with regular stops. The stops weren't due to leg-ache, but to learn about the Roman history of the area, which has been brought to life. The Danube was the boundary of the Roman Empire, and so there are remains of forts along its length, most notably the Unesco World Heritage Site of Roman Burgus Oberranna. There are some wonderful stories connected to this, such as the dramatic fort findings when a petrol station was knocked down. In the modern day, the ruins have been given a virtual makeover with augmented reality - load the QR code, then wave your phone around and the screen will show you what it would have looked like. Brilliantly, wifi is installed there, so nobody need miss out. It's one of those little moments that make you realise that sometimes the modern world is an improvement. Approaching Engelszell Abbey in Upper Austria | Tom Morton / National World Engelszell Abbey | Tom Morton/National World Further down the river, after a stop at Engelszell Trappist Monastery, its awe-inspiring church and refreshing beer, we come across the Schutz art gallery which shows that the Donau is now not an outpost of an empire but of culture, with a gallery established by a construction businessman who wanted to create a lasting benefit for the area. Unlike many galleries, it also has some studios with a rotating cast of artists working in front of the public. The Schutz art museum - the world's first net zero energy museum | Tom Morton/NationalWorld Gasthof Luger on the Danube | Tom Morton / NationalWorld Heading back down the other bank, we stop at the Gasthof Luger, a restaurant quintessentially Austrian, no doubt popular with cyclists in the summer, and also call in to see the work of a traditional boatbuilder. The ancient skill sits beautifully on the unchanging river. One of the craft being made by the Witti boatbuilder on the Danube | Tom Morton/NationalWorld After the trip out we head to nearby Bad Schallerbach, a spa town. We're staying at the Park Hotel in the centre of town, and a short trip in a taxi to Mostheuriger am Hochfeld which we're assured is a very Austrian night out. If this is an Austrian night out, count me in. We're shown to a convivial circular table in the corner, and are brought plates of various cured meats and cheese, with regular top-ups of cider and Stiegl beer. The landlord of the family-run tavern won't accept platters left unfinished, and insists on cracking open varying bottles of schnapps at the end of the evening, the flavours of which range from paint stripper to 'actually very tasty'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dinner at the Heuriger am Hochfeld, Bad Schallerbach, Upper Austria | Tom Morton/NationalWorld The following morning, another bike ride beckons. This time we're on an 18-mile loop around Bad Schallerbach, taking in the Magdalenabergkirche and enjoying rolling hills - this time the e-bike motor earns its corn. Our friendly bike guide - every Austrian we meet is just so welcoming - insists we pop into his house as we're nearby, giving his wife about 10 minutes' notice. He insists we have an 11am cider as part of the break, explaining that the 'most' fairs see local producers bring their wares to sell - and it's a very refreshing drink. Not for the first time, you find yourself thinking that Austrians have got life sorted. In the afternoon we see another side of Austrian life - the mass sauna. Taking a visit to the EurothermenResort (about £30 for a day pass) , a sprawling complex that includes swimming pools and a water park, it is also famous for its adult-only sauna section, which has more than 40 different saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas in all. EurothermenResort in Bad Schallerbach - it's rather frowned upon to take pictures when you are inside.... | Tom Morton/NationalWorld I'm not going to lie, for an uptight Brit, the Austrian custom of entering a sauna naked is a tough one to adapt to. We get ticked off for wearing swimming trunks in one sauna, and realise that if you can't beat them, join them. One memorable part of the afternoon is a sauna session in a huge former cider barrel. About 50 people are packed in, and when the temperature rises little cups of cider are handed out and then cider is thrown on the hot coals, and the steam wafted around the space by a man waving a giant flag. Does it lead to a healthier attitude to the human body, and less of a sniggering mindset about nudity? Yes, it probably does. Does it feel liberating? Yes, to a degree. Can I see it catching on in my local leisure centre without police involvement? Not really. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But the concept of spending several hours, and not just a few minutes at the end of a gym session, in a sauna is great. I feel astonishingly relaxed by the end of the afternoon, even with the British aversion to nudity. The Hauptplatz in Linz | Tom Morton/NationalWorld From there we catch a train to Linz, our final destination on a whistle-stop tour. The third biggest city in Austria after Vienna and Graz, Linz has had a bad rep over the years, with its industrial past casting a literal cloud over the city. But just as England's northern industrial cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds have reinvented themselves while retaining their heritage, so has Linz, albeit it's much smaller than the above. The view over Linz from Pöstlingberg Mountain | Tom Morton/NationalWorld Look under the cover and you find clues that don't just tell the story of a city, but of a country and indeed a continent. The castle stands over the town - the site dates from the rule of Charlemagne but various eras have left their mark, it was demolished and rebuilt in 1600 and a huge fire started there in 1800. There's a good view over Linz - as there is from Pöstlingberg, a hill, where we start our day-long tour. There's a great view across Linz, really giving an idea of where the city's steelworks are and how they have shaped the city, but the pilgrimage church at the summit of Pöstlingberg is well worth a visit in and of itself. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One of the exhibits at Ars Electronica in Linz - a biosphere | Tom Morton/NationalWorld Later, as we walk through the main square, we see the balcony from where Hitler gave his first speech in Austria after the Anschluss in 1938 - a spot from which nobody has since spoken - and we also spend several hours in a wonderful space called Ars Electronica. I use the rather ineffective modern word 'space' here because it's difficult to define. One of the exhibits at Ars Electronica in Linz | Tom Morton/NationalWorld It's science, it's art - some of the attractions such as the 3D Deep Space show are visually beautiful - but by goodness a couple of exhibits will make you think, and will stay with you, particularly one about replicating a worm's neural pathways which seems to have created a basic form of life. And some are visually stunning - the big screen's megapixel dive into the Bruegel's painting Tower of Babel shows the artistry and detail in a new light. Ars Electronica in Linz | Tom Morton/NationalWorld
CBC
01-07-2025
- CBC
Heavy OPP presence in Severn township after Hwy 11 closed Tuesday morning
Police have lifted a shelter in place advisory after reopening Highway 11, but said there will still be a heavy police presence in the Severn township as they investigate an earlier incident. Ontario Provincial Police say Highway 11 was closed between Severn River Road and Coopers Falls Road and between Canning Road and Graham Road. OPP announced the closure of the major artery into cottage country just after 7 a.m. Tuesday and issued a public safety advisory on social media, asking people to avoid the area. Commuters in the closure area were told to stay in their vehicles and lock their doors. Police cited an ongoing investigation, but said no other information is available at this time.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Galway RNLI responds to back-to-back medical evacuations off Aran Islands
The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat crew responded to two back-to-back medical evacuations from Inis Mór over the weekend. First, on Saturday May 24 at 1.40pm, the volunteer crew were requested to launch the all-weather Severn lifeboat, David Kirkaldy, following a request from the Coast Guard to transfer a patient off Inis Mór. Weather conditions at the time were fair with a force 5 south westerly wind. The crew received handover from the local doctor and with the assistance of the Aran Fire and Rescue Service, the lifeboat crew transferred the patient onboard. The lifeboat departed Inis Mór and safely transferred the patient to Ros a Mhíl and into the care of an awaiting ambulance crew. The next call came in during the early hours of Sunday morning at 2.15am, when the crew were requested to launch for a medical evacuation from Inis Mór. Arriving on scene, the crew received a handover from the island doctor before assisting the patient onboard the lifeboat where they were safely transferred to Ros a Mhíl and into the care of an awaiting ambulance. Both launches were led by Noel Seoighe, marking his first two successful callouts as Coxswain within a span of just over 12 hours. Speaking following the call out, Coxswain Noel Seoighe said: 'We would like to wish both casualties a speedy recovery. A big thank you for our volunteers who never hesitate to answer the pagers. 'As we see an increase of tourists visiting the Aran Islands, we would like to remind anyone planning a trip or activity at sea to enjoy themselves but to go prepared. Check weather and tides before venturing out, always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity and carry a means of communication. Should you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sam to hike, cycle and kayak series of rivers over five years
A WORCESTER man is taking on a grand series of challenges to support the charity which has helped his family. Sam Perrett's wife Nikki, 37, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, in January 2023. Since then the MS Society has been 'invaluable' to the couple and their two young daughters so Sam has decided to raise as much money as possible by tackling Source2Sea. It is a series of five solo adventure challenges over the next five years, starting with 368 kilometres of the River Severn in September going from the source to the sea via a combination of hiking, cycling and kayaking. Sam, 35, said: 'The diagnosis hit us hard as a family, not really knowing what it meant for the future for Nikki's health and what kind of deterioration we might see over what time period. 'It drove me into a health and fitness kick to make sure I'm as healthy as I possibly can be and I am around for as long as possible for our two young daughters. 'I've always loved the outdoors and I am the adventurous type having hiked a lot of the American south and mid-west. 'Six months ago I started a complete change to my lifestyle with exercise, fitness and diet. 'At this point I needed a goal, something to aim for, to keep me going and so Source2Sea was born. 'It is a series of five solo adventure challenges — planned and routed by me, not existing — over the next five years. 'Each challenge is to complete a journey from the source of a river all the way through to the sea. 'Using a combination of hiking, cycling and kayaking, each of the successive journeys get longer.' Sam's plans so far involve the Severn mission, starting on September 21 from the Cambrian Mountains in Wales to Portishead, followed by the River Rhône in France and Switzerland covering 825km in September 2026. He is targeting the River Tagus in Spain and Portugal over around 1,100km in 2027, the River Rhine over about 1,380km from Switzerland to the Netherlands in 2028 and possibly the Mississippi in the USA in year five. Sam continued: 'This is not only as a goal to myself to keep me on point but also to raise vital awareness and fundraising for the MS Society. 'It is an incredible charity whose resources and support have been invaluable to us during this time. The more money raised the better. 'I also plan to fully document this training and completing the journeys on socials and YouTube.' More than £1,000 has been raised so far at There are more details on Sam's challenge at and across social media on Facebook and Instagram. To get in touch email info@ The MS Society funds world-leading research, shares the latest information and campaigns for everyone's rights. There are more details at
