River Dun (River Kennet)

The River Dun (historically known as Bedwyn Brook) is a tributary of the River Kennet flowing through Wiltshire and Berkshire in England.[1] Its main source is in the parish of Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire and it flows 16 kilometres (10 mi) for its whole course ENE into Berkshire, where it discharges into the Kennet at Hungerford,[2][3] which has a smaller average flow and width upstream of that point.

For the southern River Dun, see River Dun (River Test).

River Dun
Bedwyn Brook
River Dun at Freeman's Marsh, before reaching Hungerford
Location
CountryEngland
CountiesWiltshire, Berkshire
TownsGreat Bedwyn, Hungerford
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationGreat Bedwyn, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
 • coordinates51.37109°N 1.60664°W / 51.37109; -1.60664
 • elevation120 m (390 ft)
MouthRiver Kennet
 • location
Hungerford, Berkshire, United Kingdom
 • coordinates
51.412169°N 1.494023°W / 51.412169; -1.494023
 • elevation
90 m (300 ft)
Length16 km (9.9 mi)

The Dun valley is an important transport route through the high chalklands between the London Basin to the east and the Vale of Pewsey to the west. It is the route by which the Kennet and Avon Canal (linking London and Bristol) enters the Thames basin from the Vale of Pewsey, crossing the watershed with the aid of the Bruce Tunnel and Crofton Pumping Station. The later Reading to Plymouth railway linking London and the south-west also uses the valley.

The Dun has two named tributaries: the Froxfield Stream joins on the left between Little Bedwyn and Hungerford, and the Shalbourne Stream on the right above Hungerford.[4] During or after the building of the Kennet and Avon Canal in the late 18th century, the Shalbourne was diverted into it. In 2000 the stream was returned to its original course, rejoining the Dun via a culvert under the canal.[5]

References
  1. Blackmore, Mike (April 2014). "River Dun, Froxfield, Wiltshire" (PDF). wildtrout.org. p. 4. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  2. "Upper Dun". Catchment Data Explorer. Environment Agency. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  3. "Kennet and Avon Canal and Dun above Hungerford". environment.data.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  4. "Kennet and Avon Canal and Dun above Hungerford". Catchment Data Explorer. Environment Agency. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  5. "Southern Streams". The Kennet Catchment. Retrieved 21 January 2020.


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