River Derwent, North East England
The River Derwent is a river which flows between the historic county boundaries of Durham and Northumberland, and in the ceremonial county of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. It then enters the Derwent Reservoir near Edmundbyers, west of Consett. The River Derwent then flows through the Derwent Gorge, past Allensford, Shotley Bridge, Blackhall Mill, Rowlands Gill, Gibside estate and the Nine Arches Viaduct near Derwenthaugh Country Park. The Derwent is a tributary of the River Tyne, which it joins at Derwenthaugh near Gateshead.
Etymology
The name Derwent comes from the Brythonic/Early Welsh word for oak derw and valley -went.
Course
The River Derwent flows for 35 miles from its origin, where two streams, Beldon Burn and Nookton Burn meet approximately a mile west of Blanchland, to Derwenthaugh where it flows into the River Tyne. On its journey, the River Derwent flows into and through through Derwent Reservoir near Edmundbyers, then places such as Muggleswick, the Derwent Gorge and Horsleyhope Ravine, Allensford, Shotley Grove, Shotley Bridge, Blackhall Mill and Rowlands Gill where it passes the Gibside Estate before flowing under the Nine Arches Viaduct. The Derwent Walk Country Park at Rowlands Gill is named after the river.
Wildlife
Brown trout and European grayling are present in the Derwent, and are open for fly catching on Tyne Rivers Trust website.
The Muggleswick-born writer, John Carr, wrote a 40 verse poem "Ode to the River Derwent".