The Severn Bore
'Bore’ derives from the Norse word ‘bara’ meaning wave or swell describing the tidal wave which surges 21 miles up the Severn Estuary at high tides.
The River Severn, the longest in Britain, is one of only eight British rivers to experience bores and undoubtedly produces the best bores.
The bore is created by turning of the high spring tides and the vastly increased volume of water which surges from the sea inland along the narrowing Severn Estuary. The tide meets the water head and the differences in pressure create the large wave which increases in momentum as it heads towards Sharpness then increases in speed and height as it heads further inland.
The Severn Bore is a natural phenomenon and has attracted viewers for centuries and ha become a major spectator event with locals, visitors and the media lining the banks from Awre to Gloucester hoping to witness a really good bore with a large wave which can be up to two metres high – or barely a trickle.
Before the bore the air becomes still and silence falls but is soon replaced by a distant roar which becomes closer as the wave approaches at speed, possibly with a speed boat racing it and surfers riding the wave. The wave can be unpredictable – surging up banks and soaking onlookers or it could be hardly noticeable – but this adds to the suspense and excitement. Afterwards, silence falls again (apart from the chatter of onlookers) and it is possible to see the river actually flowing simultaneously in both directions.
Many factors affect the size of the Bore – wind speed and direction, river level, tide heights and even the sand!
The best, and safest, vantage points are from Newnham churchyard which offers views up and downriver or from the riverside parking area at the northern end of town. The best bores tend to be at Minsterworth, Stonebench and OverBridge where the river is narrower – but be prepared to be splashed!
The Severn Bore is included in our Forest of Dean
and Severn Estuary Guide.