CITY HAS GROWN BECAUSE OF THE GREAT STOUR

The River Stour that flows through Canterbury could lay claim to England’s most historic river, says the Kentish Stour Countryside Project.

Certainly in Roman and medieval times, the river was a major transport route, connecting Canterbury with mainland Europe. Fordwich, on the edge of the city, was an important port.

The river also played a key role in the spread of Christianity.

The earliest records of the city’s name date back to 150 AD when its ancient Roman name was Durovernia, Dorobernia or Davovernon from the British words duro (fort) and verno (swamp).

This demonstrates that characteristics of the land at the time from the influence of the river were so great that they were included in the city’s name. The name Stour has existed since 686 AD, suggesting the name which the river now bears was probably given by the Saxons, who called at least three English rivers by that name.

As east Kent’s major watercourse, the Kentish Stour originates as the Great Stour in Lenham, north west of Ashford. The river is the second longest in Kent after the Medway, with a total length of about 57 miles.

After flowing through Canterbury, the river becomes tidal and finally enters the sea at Pegwell Bay, close to the site of the landing of the first Christian mission to southern England, St Augustine, in 597 AD.

The Stour flows through Canterbury in many strands – at one point there are three separate branches. These branches are sometimes linked by channels effectively forming islands. The branches rejoin to the east of Canterbury, before the river reaches Fordwich.

Canterbury has grown up because of the Great Stour - many of its industries, and therefore its wealth, have depended upon it, and now by taking a stroll along the river you can see a rich mix of heritage and wildlife, right through the city’s heart.