Severn Bore Facts and Information

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Severn Bore Facts and Information

As the tide from the Atlantic enters the Bristol Channel and continues into the Severn Estuary, the volume of water is filtered into a narrow channel which increases the height of the water by anything up to 15 metres.

Best Severn Bore viewpoints are at Minsterworth on the west bank; Framilode and Stonebench on the east.

The Severn Estuary experiences the second highest tide anywhere in the world, and the difference between the lowest and highest tide in any one day can be more than 14.5 metres.

Severn Bore has been known to reach two metres in height. Its average speed is 16km per hour.


The Severn Bore size can be affected by opposing winds or high freshwater levels which reduce its height and delay its arrival. A following wind can increase its height and advance the time it arrives.

The horseshoe bend of the river Severn is the largest, most inwardly set, geographical feature of its type in lowland Europe.

The biggest Bore in the world is the Ch'ient'ang'kian (Hang chou fe) in China. It can reach up to 7.5m high and reach a speed of 27km/h. and can be heard coming from more than 22km away.

The best viewpoints are at Minsterworth on the west bank; Framilode and Stonebench on the east.

The Chinese believed the water to be the blood of the earth, with tides as the beating of the earth's pulse.

Greek legend has it that the philosopher Aristotle died after flinging himself into the sea in frustration at not finding why tides occurred.

Folklore has it that those born when the tide is coming in will be lucky in life, but that sick people are more likely to die as the tide ebbs.

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