56-625: Severn Sea may refer to: the Bristol Channel a rosemary cultivar Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Severn Sea . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Severn_Sea&oldid=933119960 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
112-653: A flood hit the shores of the Channel. The devastation was particularly bad on the Welsh side, from Laugharne in Carmarthenshire to above Chepstow on the English border. Cardiff was the most badly affected town. There remain plaques up to 8 ft (2.4 m) above sea level to show how high the waters rose on the sides of the surviving churches. It was commemorated in a contemporary pamphlet " God's warning to
168-671: A cliff-face of 716 ft (218 m). On the Gower Peninsula, at its western extremity is the Worms Head , a headland of Carboniferous Limestone which is approachable on foot at low tide only. The beaches of Gower (at Rhossili , for example) and North Devon, such as Croyde and Woolacombe , win awards for their water quality and setting, as well as being renowned for surfing . In 2004, The Times "Travel" magazine selected Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire as one of
224-445: A lake of 185 square miles (479 km ) with a potential energy depth of 14 metres (46 ft). Tidal power only runs for around ten hours a day, but by using the enclosed lake as a reservoir of potential energy more hours of operation could be achieved. Other energy sources, such as wind and solar power, also create electricity at times that do not always match when it is needed. Excess power could be stored by pumping water uphill , as
280-772: A marine reserve. Provision for the establishment of statutory Marine Nature Reserves was included in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 , and on 21 November 1986 the Secretary of State for the Environment announced the designation of a statutory reserve at Lundy. There is an outstanding variety of marine habitats and wildlife, and a large number of rare and unusual species in the waters around Lundy, including some species of seaweed , branching sponges , sea fans and cup corals . The Bristol Channel has some extensive and popular beaches and spectacular scenery, particularly on
336-663: A windsurf around Britain (e.g. Jono Dunnett ). The coastguard has stated that windsurf crossings of the channel are dangerous and should not be attempted without appropriate preparations. The high quality of the landscape of much of both coasts of the Bristol Channel means that they are popular destinations for walkers. Sections of two national trails ; the South West Coast Path and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path follow these shores, and
392-595: Is To bring together all those involved in the development, management and use of the Estuary within a framework which encourages the integration of their interests and responsibilities to achieve common objectives . In 2001 SEP published the Strategy for the Severn Estuary , which sets out a plan for the management of the estuary. SEP uses a geographically extended definition of the Severn Estuary, beginning at
448-424: Is a small rocky island of 0.24 hectares (0.6 acres), with scrub vegetation, approximately three miles north of Portishead. Its rocky southern foreshore marks the boundary between England and Wales, but the island itself is reckoned administratively to Monmouthshire , Wales. The estuary is about 2 miles (3.2 km) wide at Aust, and about 9 miles (14 km) wide between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare. It has one of
504-602: Is already done at a variety of other installations in the UK. The UK Government shelved the plans in the late 1980s due largely to cost issues and local environmental concerns. However, this was before recent huge rises in the price of energy, and before global warming had started to be taken seriously. In April 2006 the Welsh Assembly approved the idea of utilising the tidal power, but the RSPB has raised serious concerns about
560-703: Is an important area for wildlife, in particular waders , and has protected areas, including national nature reserves such as Bridgwater Bay at the mouth of the River Parrett . At low tide large parts of the channel become mud flats due to the tidal range of 43 ft (13 m), frequently stated to be second only to the Bay of Fundy in Eastern Canada but smaller than those at Ungava Bay , also in Canada. Development schemes have been proposed along
616-577: Is designated as a Ramsar site . The estuary is recognised as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Directive on the conservation of Wild Birds. The estuary is recognised as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive. Parts of the estuary have also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest . The SSSI includes most of the foreshore upstream from Cardiff and Brean Down and most of
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#1732772710948672-476: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Bristol Channel The Bristol Channel ( Welsh : Môr Hafren , literal translation: "Severn Sea") is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain , separating South Wales (from Pembrokeshire to the Vale of Glamorgan ) and South West England (from Devon , Somerset to North Somerset ). It extends from
728-468: Is enhanced by the golden beaches, clean blue waters, excellent water quality and good facilities close by to the main surf breaks. The first known crossing of the Bristol Channel (from Swansea to Woody Bay, near Lynton, Devon) by a windsurfer was Adam Cowles in April 2006, apparently accidentally. Other windsurfers have reported making the crossing as a training exercise ( Hugh Sim Williams ) or as part of
784-549: Is the estuary of the River Severn , flowing into the Bristol Channel between South West England (from North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire) and South Wales (from Cardiff, Newport to Monmouthshire). Its very high tidal range , approximately 50 feet (15 m), creates valuable intertidal habitats and has led to the area being at the centre of discussions in the UK regarding renewable tidal energy. Definitions of
840-618: Is the international importance for wintering and wading birds of passage, and of estuarine habits of outstanding ornithological significance. It is stated that the estuary supports over 10% of the British wintering population and is the single most important wintering ground for dunlin , and for significant numbers of Bewick's swans , European white-fronted geese and wigeon . Nationally important wintering populations are supported such as gadwall , shoveller and pochard . There are notably seven species of migratory fish which pass through
896-475: The 1953 floods in East Anglia , which were caused by a storm surge . It has been shown that the tide and weather at the time were capable of generating such a surge. In 1835 John Ashley was on the shore at Clevedon with his son who asked him how the people on Flat Holm could go to church. For the next three months Ashley voluntarily ministered to the population of the island. From there he recognised
952-518: The Mouth of the Severn . The tidal range results in the estuary having one of the most extensive intertidal wildlife habitats in the UK, comprising mudflats, sandflats, rocky platforms and islands. These form a basis for plant and animal communities typical of extreme physical conditions of liquid mud and tide-swept sand and rock. The estuary is recognised as a wetland area of international importance and
1008-595: The River Avon joins at Avonmouth . West of the Wye, the estuary forms the boundary between Wales and England . On the northern side of the estuary are the Caldicot and Wentloog Levels which are on either side of the city of Newport ; and, to the west, the city of Cardiff together with the resort of Penarth . On the southern, English, side, are Avonmouth , Portishead , Clevedon , and Weston-super-Mare. Denny Island
1064-547: The Severn Estuary , are Clevedon , Portishead and the city of Bristol . The Port of Bristol , originally established inland on the River Avon in the centre of the city, but now with larger commercial deep water docks on the Severn Estuary , is one of the busiest ports in Britain. There are no road or rail crossings of the Bristol Channel so direct crossings are necessarily made by sea or air, or less directly by
1120-848: The West Somerset Coast Path extends eastwards from the South West Coast Path to the mouth of the River Parrett. A continuous coastal path, the Wales Coast Path , was opened in May 2012 along the entire Welsh shore under the auspices of the Countryside Council for Wales . The first person to swim across the Bristol Channel was Kathleen Thomas , a 21-year-old woman from Penarth who swam to Weston-super-Mare on 5 September 1927. She completed
1176-882: The Atlantic Ocean meaning that a combination of an off-shore (east) wind and a generous Atlantic swell produces excellent surf along the beaches. The heritage coasts of the Vale of Glamorgan, Bideford Bay and Gower are, along with the Atlantic coasts of Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, the key areas for surfing in the whole of Britain. Although slightly overshadowed by the Atlantic coasts of North Cornwall and West Pembrokeshire, both Gower and Bideford Bay nevertheless have several superb breaks—notably Croyde in Bideford Bay and Langland Bay on Gower—and surfing in Gower and Bideford Bay
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#17327727109481232-674: The Bristol Channel was known as the Severn Sea , and it is still known as this in both Welsh : Môr Hafren and Cornish : Mor Havren . The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines the offshore western limit of the Bristol Channel as "a line joining Hartland Point in Devon ( 51°01′N 4°32′W / 51.017°N 4.533°W / 51.017; -4.533 ) to St. Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire ( 51°36′N 4°55′W / 51.600°N 4.917°W / 51.600; -4.917 )". The nearshore limit of
1288-612: The British Government to assess all tidal range technologies, including barrages, lagoons and others. The study will look at the costs, benefits and impacts of a Severn tidal power scheme and will help Government decide whether it could or could not support such a scheme. Some of the options being looked at may include a road crossing downstream of the existing crossings of the estuary. On 30 January 1607 ( New style ) thousands of people were drowned, houses and villages swept away, farmland inundated and flocks destroyed when
1344-603: The IHO definition is between Sand Point, North Somerset (north of Weston-super-Mare ), and Lavernock Point (south of Penarth , in the Vale of Glamorgan ). East of this line is the Severn Estuary . Western and northern Pembrokeshire and north Cornwall are outside the IHO defined limits of the Bristol Channel, and are considered part of the seaboard of the Atlantic Ocean , specifically the Celtic Sea . In common usage,
1400-528: The Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel a focus for tidal energy schemes and ideas. Plans for a Severn Barrage — running 16 km (9.9 mi) across the Bristol Channel from Lavernock Point near to and south west of Cardiff to Brean Down near and just south west of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset — would generate a massive 8640 MW when the tide flows, and have been discussed for several decades now. The power generated would come from
1456-419: The Severn estuary, but lie upstream of the Bristol Channel itself. On the English side, the resort towns of Weston-super-Mare , Burnham-on-Sea , Watchet , Minehead and Ilfracombe are located on the Bristol Channel. Barnstaple and Bideford are sited on estuaries opening onto Bideford Bay, at the westernmost end of the Bristol Channel. Just upstream of the IHO eastern limit of the Bristol Channel, within
1512-465: The UK's electricity, contributing significantly to UK climate change goals. The proposal for a hydro-electric barrier to generate 8.6 GW and meet five percent of Britain's power needs, is being opposed by some environmental groups. The Severn Estuary Partnership (SEP) was set up in 1995 as an independent initiative to focus the activities of local government, statutory authorities and interested parties such as farmers and fisherman. Its stated aim
1568-512: The UK. It has been stated that it would contribute significantly to UK climate change goals and European Union renewable energy targets. Earlier studies of a possible Severn Barrage included estimates of bed load transport of sand and gravel by tidal ebb and flood that would be interrupted if a solid dam were built across the Channel. More recently, the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study was launched in 2008 by
1624-535: The area downstream of the Second Severn Crossing near Severn Beach , South Gloucestershire . The definition used on Admiralty Chart SC1179 and the Bristol Channel and Severn Cruising Guide is that the estuary extends upstream to Aust , the site of the Severn Bridge . On the north-west (Welsh) side, the rivers Wye and Usk flow into the estuary, and on the south-east (English) side,
1680-587: The area. P & A Campbell , based in Bristol , was the main operator of pleasure craft, particularly paddle steamers , from the mid-19th century to the late 1970s, together with the Barry Railway Company . These served harbours along both coasts, such as Ilfracombe and Weston-super-Mare . This tradition is continued each summer by the PS Waverley , the last seagoing paddle steamer in
1736-509: The boundary between the estuary and the open sea of the Bristol Channel at a line between Sand Point, North Somerset (north of Weston-super-Mare ) and Lavernock Point (south of Penarth in south Wales), at which point it is over 8 miles (13 km) wide. This definition is used by the Severn Estuary Partnership and Visit England. A narrower definition adopted for navigation purposes by some charts includes only
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1792-634: The channel, however, there is an east–west valley 65–100 ft (20–30 m) deep, which is thought to have been formed by fluvial run-off during Pleistocene phases of lower sea level. Along the margins of the Bristol Channel are extensive linear tidal sandbanks, which are dredged for aggregates. In the outer Bristol Channel, off the Welsh coast, are the OBel Sands, an extensive area of sand waves up to 62 ft (19 m) high, covering more than 400 sq mi (1,036 km )). The Bristol Channel
1848-487: The channel, including an airport and a tidal barrier for electricity generation, but conservation issues have so far managed to block such schemes. The largest islands in the Bristol Channel are Lundy , Steep Holm and Flat Holm , which are mostly uninhabited and protected as nature reserves, and are home to some unique wild flower species. In 1971 a proposal was made by the Lundy Field Society to establish
1904-537: The coasts of Exmoor and Bideford Bay in North Devon and the Vale of Glamorgan and Gower Peninsula on the Glamorgan coast. The western stretch of Exmoor boasts Hangman cliffs , the highest cliffs in mainland Britain , culminating near Combe Martin in the "Great Hangman", a 1,043 ft (318 m) 'hog-backed' hill with a cliff-face of 820 ft (250 m); its sister cliff the "Little Hangman" has
1960-480: The distinction between the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and Celtic Sea is less clearly defined, with the name Bristol Channel frequently applied to areas that by the IHO definition are the Severn Estuary, and sometimes to areas of the Celtic Sea. By the IHO definition, the Bristol Channel is about 75 mi (121 km) from west to east. The Bristol Channel–Severn Estuary system extends eastward inland to
2016-426: The effect on the mud flats, that have European Environmental protection status, and the UK government Energy Review published later in the year did not endorse the scheme. Opinion is still divided on the benefits of a proposed barrage. John Hutton , Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform , announced a further feasibility study on 25 September 2007. The Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study
2072-481: The estuary in both directions. These include significant numbers of Atlantic salmon and common eel . At Black Rock, Portskewett , a traditional method of fishing for salmon with lave nets is practised. The fishermen promote the fishery as a tourist attraction. In 2021, they reduced their activities in response to pressure from Natural Resources Wales to reduce their catch. A huge tidal range and high level of surrounding industry and population have long made
2128-408: The estuary is under threat from natural processes such as coastal erosion , exacerbated by the high tidal range and strong tidal currents, and from threats such as ongoing development pressure along the shoreline, marine aggregates extraction and new coastal defensive and realignment measures as well as proposed major infrastructure projects. An archaeological aerial survey report of the archaeology on
2184-662: The feasibility of setting up a similar rescue service in Weston-super-Mare . There are also RNLI lifeboats stationed along both sides of the Channel. In the Severn Estuary , in-shore rescue is provided by two independent lifeboat trusts, the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and the Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat Trust. The Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary have the potential to generate more renewable electricity than any other in
2240-545: The first wife of Hugh Cudlipp the Welsh journalist and newspaper editor. The first person to swim the 30.5 nmi (56.5 km; 35.1 mi) from Ilfracombe to Swansea was Gethin Jones, who achieved the record on 13 September 2009, taking nearly 22 hours. The youngest person to swim from Penarth to Clevedon is Gary Carpenter, who in August 2007 at the age of 17, completed the crossing in 5 hours 35 minutes. He held
2296-475: The highest tidal ranges in the world — about 50 feet (15 m). This funnel shape, large tidal range, and the underlying geology of rock, gravel and sand, produce strong tidal streams and high turbidity , giving the water a notably brown coloration. During the highest tides, rising water is funnelled up the estuary into the Severn bore , a self-reinforcing solitary wave that travels rapidly upstream against
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2352-407: The limit of tidal influence, at Gloucester Docks . The channel shoreline alternates between resistant and erosional cliff features, interspersed with depositional beaches backed by coastal sand dunes; in the Severn Estuary, a low-lying shoreline is fronted by extensive intertidal mudflats. The Severn Estuary and most of the embayments around the channel are less than 30 ft (9 m) deep. Within
2408-782: The limits of the Severn Estuary vary. In pre-modern times the area was commonly referred to as the River Severn, or the Severn Sea. Today, at the upstream boundary, the normal tidal limit of the river is at Maisemore weir (on the West Channel) and Llanthony Weir (on the East Channel), close to Gloucester Docks , although exceptionally high tides can overtop these weirs. Downstream, the International Hydrographic Organization places
2464-623: The major part of a larger area which includes the Taff / Ely Estuary and Bridgwater Bay (as well as the Upper Severn Estuary) The Upper Severn Estuary SSSI designation involves the English county of Gloucestershire. The site (Severn Estuary and Upper Severn Estuary) is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS). Both SSSI citations provide detail of the geological and biological interest and of particular note
2520-555: The needs of the seafarers on the four hundred sailing vessels in the Bristol Channel and created the Bristol Channel Mission. He raised funds and in 1839 a specially designed mission cutter was built with a main cabin which could be converted into a chapel for 100 people; this later became first initiative of the Mission to Seafarers . Much of the coastline at the western end of the Bristol Channel faces west towards
2576-451: The people of England by the great overflowing of the waters or floods ." The cause of the flood is uncertain and disputed. It had long been believed that the floods were caused by a combination of meteorological extremes and tidal peaks , but research published in 2002 showed some evidence of a tsunami in the Channel. Although some evidence from the time describes events similar to a tsunami, there are also similarities to descriptions of
2632-520: The record for the fastest swim across the Bristol Channel until 2020. Carpenter's coach, Steve Price, was the first person to swim from Penarth to Clevedon, in 1990. In 2020 Joanne Jones swam from Penarth to Clevedon in a time of 5 hours, 27 minutes. Joanne was the first woman to swim this route, and holds the current record for fastest time. 51°21′N 3°42′W / 51.350°N 3.700°W / 51.350; -3.700 Severn Estuary The Severn Estuary ( Welsh : Aber Hafren )
2688-421: The river current. West of the line between Lavernock Point and Sand Point is the Bristol Channel , which in turn discharges into the Celtic Sea and the wider Atlantic Ocean . The islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm are located close to that line, in the middle of the estuary. The Ordnance Survey refers on its published mapping to a section of the estuary seaward of the two estuarine motorway crossings as
2744-484: The road and rail crossings of the Severn estuary. The Channel can be a hazardous area of water because of its strong tides and the rarity of havens on the north Devon and Somerset coasts that can be entered in all states of the tide. Because of the treacherous waters, pilotage is an essential service for shipping. A specialised style of sailing boat, the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter , developed in
2800-648: The smaller Severn Estuary of the River Severn ( Welsh : Afon Hafren ) to the North Atlantic Ocean . It takes its name from the English city and port of Bristol . Long stretches of both sides of the coastline are designated as Heritage Coast . These include Exmoor , Bideford Bay , the Hartland Point peninsula, Lundy Island , Glamorgan , Gower Peninsula , Carmarthenshire , South Pembrokeshire and Caldey Island . Until Tudor times
2856-470: The swim, nominally 11 miles but equivalent to 22 miles because of tidal flows, in 7 hours 20 minutes. In 2007 the achievement was marked by a plaque on the seafront at Penarth. There is also a plaque at Anchor Head in Weston-super-Mare. In 1929, Edith Parnell , a 16-year-old schoolgirl, emulated Kathleen Thomas's swim from Penarth to Weston-super-Mare in 10 hours 15 minutes. Edith later became
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#17327727109482912-475: The tidal limit of the River Severn in Gloucester and ending at a line drawn between Hurlestone Point near Minehead and Nash Point in the Vale of Glamorgan . The archaeology of the Severn Estuary is richly varied and of considerable importance, reflecting both the varied nature of the topography and the importance of the river for both fishing and as a maritime waterway. The archaeological resource within
2968-499: The twelve best beaches in the world. In 2007, Oxwich Bay made the same magazine's Top 12 best beaches in the world list, and was also selected as Britain's best beach for 2007. The city of Swansea is the largest settlement on the Welsh coast of the Bristol Channel. Other major built-up areas include Barry (including Barry Island ), Port Talbot and Llanelli . Smaller resort towns include Porthcawl , Mumbles , Saundersfoot and Tenby . The cities of Cardiff and Newport adjoin
3024-841: The upper estuary as far as Sharpness . The Upper Severn Estuary SSSI covers the tidal river between Purton and Frampton on Severn . The Severn Estuary SSSI original designation involves the then counties of Somerset, Avon and Gloucestershire in England, and Gwent and South Glamorgan in Wales. The Severn Estuary SSSI designation overlaps individual site designations for separate sites in Avon ( Spring Cove Cliffs , Middle Hope , Portishead Pier to Black Nore , Aust Cliff ), Gloucestershire ( Purton Passage ) and South Glamorgan ( Penarth Coast ). The 1976 designation includes two sites previously notified in 1952 ( Brean Down and Uphill Cliff ). The SSSI forms
3080-462: The world, built in 1947. The steamer provides pleasure trips between the Welsh and English coasts and to the islands of the channel. Trips are also offered on the MV ; Balmoral , also owned by Waverley Excursions. The Burnham-on-Sea Area Rescue Boat (BARB) uses a hovercraft to rescue people from the treacherous mud flats on that part of the coast. A hovercraft was recently tested to determine
3136-484: Was launched in January 2008 to assess all tidal range technologies (including barrages, lagoons and others). The study will look at the costs, benefits and impacts of a Severn tidal power scheme and will help Government decide whether it could or could not support such a scheme. The Severn Estuary has the potential to generate more renewable electricity than all other UK estuaries. If harnessed, it could create up to 5% of
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