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River Trent

Boats on the River Trent in Nottingham

Historically one of England's major trading rivers, the River Trent rises in the Staffordshire hills near Stoke-on-Trent. It grows in stature as it flows through Burton-on-Trent, Shardlow - where it becomes navigable - Nottingham, Newark and Gainsborough to Trent Falls. There, it joins the River Humber.

The River Trent has been an historic highway as far back as the Bronze Age when it formed part of the trade route between the Continent and the metal-working industry in Ireland. The Romans recognised the value of the river as a route from the sea to the centre of England, and later it acted as an easy route for Viking invaders to attack Nottingham. Its principal tributaries are the rivers Derwent, Dove, Soar, Erewash and Devon, as well as many small watercourses which discharge into the river.

The non-tidal reaches above Cromwell Lock are generally suitable for most inland vessels except after periods of heavy rainfall. Below the lock the tidal section demands respect, and the lower reaches should only be tackled by suitable vessels and crews.

The National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) together with the Commercial Boat Operators Association (CBOA) have produced a leaflet of advice for skippers on the River Trent. For extra information about cruising the Trent, boaters should also download a British Waterways Boaters' Guide, which can be found on the right.

Trent Vale Landscape Partnership

The Trent Vale Landscape Partnership (TVLP) aims to raise awareness of the unique landscape of the River Trent between Newark and West Stockwith which has been shaped by its natural, cultural and industrial heritage.The River Trent has influenced where and how people live, but trentside communities have become disconnected from this natural feature. The TVLP aims to address this by increasing awareness about the river, its surrounding lands and its heritage, and to improve access for people to the river.

British Waterways is the lead partner for this project, with other partners including the Environment Agency, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trusts, and Nottingham and Lincolnshire County Councils.

Together they have developed a number of activities to enhance natural and heritage features and increase recreation and access in the area, with the £1.6m of Heritage Lottery Funding over the next three years.

For more information visit www.trentvale.co.uk.