The Severn Bore

www.severn-bore.co.uk
The Severn Bore is a large surge wave in the estuary of the River Severn which makes a truly spectacular sight at it's best. It occurs because of the shape of the estuary - it narrows from about 5 miles wide at Avonmouth, to around 1 mile at Lydney and Sharpness, becoming less than 100 yards wide by Minsterworth. As the water is funnelled into an increasingly narrow channel, a large wave is formed as the tide rises. This occurs at least once during most months of the year, but the Bore is generally largest and therefore most impressive around equinoxes. See website for timetable and best viewing sites. Surfing the Bore has become a competitive sport and so you may also see canoeists and surfers making use of the wave. Be sure to get there early as the Bore can arrive up to half an hour either side of the scheduled time, depending on the weather.

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