River Sowe
The River Sowe is a river in Warwickshire and West Midlands, England. It is a tributary of the River Avon, and flows into it just south of Stoneleigh about 5 miles south of Coventry. The Sowe is about long.
The Sowe rises in Bedworth 5.5 miles to the north of Coventry. Its route takes it through Exhall near to Junction 3 of the M6 motorway and the A444 road, to the northern and then the eastern suburbs of Coventry, in particular the districts of Longford, Wood End, Walsgrave, Binley, Ernesford Grange, Willenhall and near the village of Baginton. Near Baginton the river has a large steep bank on its southern side and the remains of the Roman Lunt Fort have been found at the top of this bank.
The Sowe Valley Footpath runs alongside the river for 8½ miles from Hawkesbury Junction Conservation Area to Stonebridge Meadows Local Nature Reserve. It also runs through Wyken Slough Local Nature Reserve, Wyken Croft Nature Park and Stoke Floods Local Nature Reserve.
The grade II-listed Sowe Viaduct carries the Coventry-Rugby railway line across the river.
Crossings
In downstream order from source; listed or notable bridges and A-roads/motorways only:- A444 Bedworthy Bypass
- M6 motorway
- A444 road
- River is culverted under the Coventry Canal, Coventry to Nuneaton railway line, and an industrial estate
- A4600 Ansty Road
- Access road to University Hospital Coventry
- A4600 Ansty Road
- A428 Binley Road
- A4082 Allard Way
- Sowe Viaduct
- A45 Stonebridge Highway
- Baginton Bridge
- Stoneleigh Bridge