On the highest tides, a most unusual sight can be seen in the Kent Estuary in Morecambe Bay, called the Arnside Bore, one of the UK's twenty or so tidal bores. Named after a town in the estuary, it is quite a spectacle and it often draws crowds of onlookers. The source of the Kent is the Kentmere Valley near Ambleside and the river then flows down through Kendal to Morecambe Bay. Arnside is on the south side of the estuary and is a pleasant place to wander, with a good choice of shops, pubs and cafes. Along with scenic views of the distant Lake District fells, there is a much-photographed Continue Reading
Tidal bores: a UK natural spectacle
Some of the highest tides in the world occur in the UK, leading to the formation of tidal bores: a line of surf or waves travelling upstream against the river flow. Indeed, of the hundred or so worldwide, about twenty are found in the UK's estuaries, from Devon to southwest Scotland and East Anglia to the Humber Estuary. The largest and most famous is the Severn Bore and in the right conditions attracts large crowds of spectators to watch surfers and canoeists try their luck. However, most others are smaller affairs unsuited to such outdoor pursuits, although still wonderful to see, such as Continue Reading
