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Your environment

The River Adur

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Introduction to the River Adur

The River Adur derives its name from the Celtic word 'Dwyr', meaning 'water'. The river has been an important trade route since Roman times.

The Adur District gets it's name from the River Adur which divides it roughly in half; with Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick and Fishersgate to the east; and Lancing and Sompting and Coombes to the west.

During the 1700s and 1800s various new harbour entrances for the river were cut through the shingle but all silted up again until the present river mouth at Kingston became permanent.

View towards Shoreham across the River AdurToday, Shoreham is still an important south coast port administered by Shoreham Port Authority. Principal cargoes include : timber, refined oil and gravel dredged from the sea.

Two main separate arms form the River Adur :

  • the Western Adur : Rising near Slinfold, the Western Adur flows through Shipley and West Grinstead.
  • and the Eastern Adur : Rises on Ditchling Common and flows north and west passing between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill.
  • Both arms then join near Henfield and flow south across the Henfield Levels, an area of unspoiled wetlands which draw dragonflies, damselflies and overwintering wetland birds.
  • Its final tidal route to the sea runs through the Shoreham Gap Valley, which is designated as an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Map of the route of River Adur from it's sources to the sea

Map of the course of the River Adur

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the River Adur area

The Natural England website contains information about Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the River Adur area. For more information see their website (unfortunately their website has been unavailable for a while - but you could try cutting and pasting the URLs below into your web browser to try) :

  • Natural England website
    www.naturalengland.org.uk
  • SSSI : Adur Estuary
    www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1003359
  • SSSI : Units for Adur Estuary
    www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/unitlist.cfm?sssi_id=1003359
  • LNR : Mill Hill
    www.english-nature.org.uk/special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=0&ID=296&N=

See also on our website :

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Sailing and other activities on the River Adur

Yachts on River AdurBoating, sailing, yachting, rowing, windsurfing and canoeing are all popular activities on the river and in the Port of Shoreham.

This section lists activities available. To the best of our knowledge the information given is correct, but please check with the relevant authority or club for the current situation, costs and availability.

Organisations and clubs (listed alphabetically) :

Adur Canoe Club is based at the Adur Outdoor Activity Centre (1 on the map below) and offers courses and training in canoeing. Adur Canoe Club also offers "just paddling for fun, it's what we do most of really". For more information see the Adur Canoe Club website (www.adurcanoeclub.org.uk).

Adur Centre Sailing Club is based at the Adur Outdoor Activity Centre (1 on the map below) and offers RYA recognised training and every thing you need to learn to sail boats, safety equipment and instructors. The club is primarily for young people aged 10 to 18 but also welcomes family and adult membership. For more information see the Adur Centre Sailing Club website (www.adursailing.co.uk).

Adur Outdoor Activity Centre (1 on map below) provides training on canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, climbing and more. The centre offers a wide range of outdoor and adventure activities for young people from school, college and youth groups. There are residential, social and conference facilities available for groups. Adult groups and individuals can also be accommodated on many of the above activities, and corporate days out and training events and programmes can be arranged. For more information see the Adur Outdoor Activity Centre website (www.aoac.org.uk).

Shoreham Rowing Club (12 on the map below) the clubhouse and boathouse is based on Kingston Beach near the lighthouse in Shoreham Harbour. It is open to all ages and sections of the community, providing recreational and competitive rowing and sculling at both coastal and inland river and lake rowing events for everyone from first-time beginners to experienced rowers. For more information see the Shoreham Rowing Club website (www.shorehamrowingclub.co.uk).

Shoreham Sailing Club (11 on the map below) is based near the Shoreham Harbour entrance. It has an active racing programme supporting Laser, Merlin Rocket, Fireball, Wayfarer, Phantom, Handicap and Catamaran fleets. For more information see the Shoreham Sailing Club website (www.shorehamsailing.org).

Sussex Yacht Club (6 on map below) is the largest water sports club in Sussex with 1500 members, and is over 100 years old. It has activities which are accessible to anybody interested in watersports and offers watersport activities to disabled people via its sailability activity. Children and young people are encouraged to take up water sports via its cadet programs. Non club members are welcomed. It is a centre of excellence for watersports and includes a recognised RYA training centre. The club organises dinghy and cruiser racing and sailing, diving, rowing, and other water sports from its clubhouses in Shoreham and Southwick. It is also proud of its links with, and support for, the Shoreham lifeboat. For more information see the Sussex Yacht Club website (www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk).

Other sailing and yacht clubs in the Adur District or nearby, but not on the River Adur :

See also :

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Navigation and safety

River Adur from the air looking westAlways remember that you are responsible for the safety of yourself and others when out and about on the water.

Make yourself familiar with the local regulations and signage before you venture out onto the water and remember to check the weather, wind and tide situation and forecasts as well. Ensure your craft is sea worthy and safe to use and has all the correct safety equipment, life jackets and communication devices as necessary - just in case you need them in an emergency.

Commercial shipping and large vessels in and around the harbour entrance, the harbour lock gates and the Shoreham Port areas can make it a potentially dangerous place to be and therefore possibly unsuitable for the inexperienced and those on small craft.

For more information about navigation and safety in and around Shoreham Port, the harbour area and entrance, the lock gates and the River Adur please contact :

You can also contact the various sailing or water sports clubs detailed elsewhere on this page for other relevant navigation and safety information.

See also on our website :

Useful external websites :

Shoreham Lighthouse and RNLI lifeboat stationRNLI logoThe Shoreham Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station and Shoreham lighthouse are also based near the Shoreham Harbour entrance (12 on the map below). For more information about these see the :

The Shoreham Coastguard is based in Ham Business Centre, off Brighton Road, near the Civic Centre. For more information see the :

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Moorings (including slipways, berths and marinas)

Yachts moored in Lady Bee Marina, Shoreham HarbourThis section lists moorings available. To the best of our knowledge the information given is correct, but please check with the relevant authority or club for the current situation, access, costs and availability.

Shoreham harbour river moorings and berths for visiting vessels are controlled and provided by Shoreham Port Authority in the locked canal section of the harbour. For more information see the Shoreham Port Authority website (www.portshoreham.co.uk).

The Port’s eastern arm also has 48 deep water moorings and Lady Bee Marina (13 on map below), in the main shipping channel, has 120 pontoon berths.
For more information see the Lady Bee Marina section of the Shoreham Port Authority website (www.portshoreham.co.uk/shoreham_harbour/lady_bee.asp).

Sussex Yacht Club (6 on map below) and Sussex Motor Yacht Club both have clubhouses in the harbour and there are 80 dry moorings, public slipways for small boats, alongside berths, and electricity at the western end of the Port on the banks of the Adur.
For more information see the Sussex Yacht Club website (www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk).

Lady Bee Marina (13 on map below) has slipway, moorings, alongside berths, showers, toilets, water to boats, and lock gates.
Tel : (01273) 591705 (contact : Graham Barnes)
For more information see the Lady Bee Marina on the Shoreham Port Authority website (www.portshoreham.co.uk/shoreham_harbour/lady_bee.asp).

Surry Boatyard (8 on map below) has moorings.
Tel : (01273) 461491

Riverside Yard (14 on map below) Riverside off Albion Street, Southwick, has berthing.
Tel : (01273) 592456

Riverside Marine (9 on map below) has berthing and mooring.
Tel : (01273) 441165
For more information see the Riverside Marine website (www.riversidemarine.co.uk).

The Adur Water Activities Centre and Sea Scouts also have riverside premises and facilities on the west bank of the River Adur between Norfolk Bridge and the railway bridge (close to 1 on the map below).

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Public access (including slipways and hards)

This section lists public access, slipways and hards available. To the best of our knowledge the information given is correct, but please check with the relevant authority or club for the current situation, access, costs and availability.

  • Ropetackle Hard, also known locally as Little High Street Hard (2 on map below)
    Popular slipway, suitable for trailers. Free use to all.
  • Kingston Beach slipway (12 on map below)
    Wooden slipway near harbour mouth close to lifeboat station - slipway only for canoes and dinghies, fees payable to Shoreham Port Authority, Tel : (01273) 598100.
  • Emerald Quay slipway (10 on map below)
    Slipway on the Shoreham Beach side of the harbour, suitable for high tide use only. Contact Shoreham Port Authority, Tel : (01273) 598100.

The following public hards can be affected by siltation and may be of marginal use, some have limited access at low tide and there are poor facilities to park vehicles close by for launching or retrieving :

  • Ship Street Hard (3 on map below) opposite Ship Street
  • Star Gap Hard (4 on map below) opposite Church Street
  • Dolphin Hard / East Coronation Green Hard (5 on map below) opposite East Street
  • Stowes Gap Hard (6 on map below) access to hard/slipway is across Sussex Yacht Club car park, no parking - please note, the slipway within the perimeter of the Club is for the use of members only - see Sussex Yacht Club website (www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk)
  • Tarmount Hard (7 on map below) west of the old Parcel Force industrial building

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Map showing approximate locations of slipways, hards, marinas, boatyards, sailing & yacht clubs and other places of interest on the River Adur and in Shoreham Harbour

Not all locations on the map below are public access.

Map showing approximate locations of facilities, clubs and places of interest on the River Adur and in Shoreham Harbour

Locations shown on map above :

1. Adur Outdoor Activity Centre (also Adur Canoe Club, Adur Water Activities Centre and Sea Scouts)

2. Ropetackle Hard slipway, also known locally as Little High Street Hard slipway - hard owned by WSCC

3. Ship Street Hard slipway (opposite Ship Street) - hard owned by WSCC

4. Star Gap Hard slipway (opposite Church Street) - hard owned by WSCC

5. Dolphin Hard slipway, also known locally as East Coronation Green slipway (opposite East Street) - hard owned by WSCC

6. Stowes Gap Hard slipway and Sussex Yacht Club (access to hard/slipway is across Sussex Yacht Club car park), no parking - please note, the slipway within the perimeter of the Club is for the use of members only - hard owned by WSCC

7. Tarmount Hard slipway (west of the old Parcel Force industrial building) - hard owned by WSCC

8. Surry Hard slipway and Surry Boatyard (opposite Surry Street / New Road junction) - hard owned by WSCC

9. Riverside Marine

10. Emerald Quay slipway

11. Shoreham Sailing Club

12. Kingston Beach slipway (also Shoreham Rowing Club, Shoreham Harbour RNLI lifeboat station and Shoreham Lighthouse)

13. Lady Bee Marina

14. Riverside Yard

Note :

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FAQs - Frequently asked questions about the River Adur

The information in this FAQ section has been provided by the Environment Agency, West Sussex County Council as well as Adur District Council.

In this FAQs section West Sussex County Council's name has been abbreviated to WSCC throughout.

 

FAQ : Who looks after the River Adur?

The Environment Agency have the most statutory duties and responsibilities with regards to water quality, water resources, Biodiversity, flood risk management, etc.

The Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) so Natural England are also very much involved.

Much of the Estuary is owned by the RSPB who have a large Wildfowl Reserve on the River Adur.

See also :

 

FAQ : Who is responsible for, and manages, the public hards and slipways?

Public hards are the responsibility of WSCC down to high water mark (eg the dry bit). This responsibility is for the maintenance of the surface and construction of the hard but it does not necessarily extend to removing slime or debris. Public hards are public launching facilities. If the public find any hard obstructed then they can report this to WSCC - Public Rights of Way (for more details and links to the WSCC website see our public rights of way webpage).

Public hards/slipways below high water mark (eg the wet bit) is the responsibility of Shoreham Port Authority.

In general terms street cleansing is the responsibility of the District Council however it is reasonable to expect that surfaces which are continually immersed in water by tidal action will not be in the same condition as would be expected for a pavement in say a town centre shopping area.

The Kingston Beach slipway is cleaned 18 times a year and this is undertaken by a contractor.

The Environment Agency does not own or operate any public slipways on the river. 

Obstructions, such as vehicles or boats, are a matter for Sussex Police under the 'Road and Traffic Regulation Act and/or the Highways Act, 1980'. It is also possible for WSCC to take action on obstructions that are not motorised vehicles. Enforcement action is also possible via Adur District Council for abandoned vehicles and/or trailers/caravans or any other large object causing a nuisance in a public space. See also our Abandoned vehicles webpage.

Many of the public hards are of marginal use to the public. These hards or slipways are really remnants of historic times when there was much more economic activity dependent on the river and the harbour, eg: fishing / shellfishing / boat building, etc. Nowadays the businesses located around the hards tend not to be dependent on access to the water and the slipways are silted up or inaccessible because of a lack of facilities such as parking.

 

FAQ : Who clears out rubbish from the River Adur?

The Environment Agency clears the trash screens at the entrance to culverts etc on 'main rivers' to prevent flooding problems.

The District Council would be responsible for doing the same on ordinary watercourses.

 

FAQ : What if a boat is speeding on the River Adur? - Who should it be reported to?

The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcing speed limits as the wash caused by boats has an impact on flood defences and river banks. Speeding on the river should be reported on the Environment Agency's national number : 08708 506 506 

If the speeding occurs between the mouth of the River Adur and The Old Tollbridge in Shoreham-by-Sea then the Port Authority should be notified.
See also www.portshoreham.co.uk

The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcing speed limits on the River Adur upstream of The Old Tollbridge in Shoreham-by-Sea.
See also www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

 

FAQ : Who is responsible for the bridges over the River Adur?

The Shoreham Footbridge (from High Street to Ferry Road, Shoreham Beach) is the responsibility of WSCC. It can be opened to allow large boats and vessels through. Any requests for the bridge to be opened to shipping must be made in writing to the :

  • County Council’s Area Highway Office,
    Clapham Depot, Clapham, Worthing BN13 3UR.

Bridges across the main River Adur in the Adur District :

  • Foot bridge linking Shoreham Beach to Shoreham High Street - owned by WSCC
  • Norfolk Bridge (carrying A259 next to Ropetackle) - owned by WSCC
  • Railway bridge - owned by Network Rail
  • The Old Tollbridge - owned by WSCC
    Update 2008 : The Old Shoreham Tollbridge is currently closed for refurbishment. It is intended to re-open the bridge to the public in time for the Shoreham Airshow at the end of August.
  • A27 trunk road flyover - owned by the Highways Agency

Bridges north of this are outside the Adur District - the next few bridges up the River Adur are in Horsham District and include :

  • Footbridge (St. Botolph's Bridge) from Botolphs to Dacre Gardens, which carries the South Downs Way and Downs Link routes - owned by WSCC
  • A283 (Steyning by-pass) bridge - owned by WSCC
  • The Street, Bramber / High Street, Upper Beeding bridge (C176) - owned by WSCC
  • Footbridge north of Upper Beeding - owned by WSCC

Other small bridges and crossings may also be over the many small streams and tributaries that run into the main River Adur. These would most likely not be publicly accessible, as they are on private land or farms, and would therefore probably be the responsibility of the land owner or farmer.

See also our :

See also external websites :

 

FAQ : What if a boat crashes into a bridge over the River Adur?

In the event of an emergency the main emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, etc) should be contacted by dialling 999.

It depends on who owns the bridge - most are owned by WSCC, but some of the bridges belong to other authorities. The relevant authority would need to be informed.

The Environment Agency doesn't own any bridges on the River Adur, but it does need to be notified in the event of an incident :

See also : bridge ownership in the question above.

 

FAQ : Who rescues people from the River Adur or from the Harbour?

In the event of an emergency the main emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, etc) should be contacted by dialling 999.

In the harbour entrance and river mouth presumably it is the RNLI and the main emergency services who will respond.

Further up the river it would probably fall to the main emergency services to respond.

Sailing, yachting and watersport/activity clubs would also probably be on hand if the problem was to do with an event or training they were involved in organising or running.

 

FAQ : What happens if a boat sinks in the River Adur or in the Harbour?

In the event of an emergency the main emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, etc) should be contacted by dialling 999.

The owner would be responsible for notifying the relevant bodies that it had sunk.

Removal would be then undertaken either by the Port Authority or the Environment Agency. Ultimately, they would seek to recover costs from the owner or the owner's insurance. If the sunken craft is not causing a hazard or obstruction to flow its removal from the river would probably not be regarded as a matter of urgency.

See also

 

FAQ : Do I need a boat licence to take my boat on the River Adur?

There is a common law right of navigation on the tidal reaches on the River Adur. ie: from the river mouth upstream as far as Shermanbury. No licences are required, though there may be fees payable to the Port Authority if navigating or launching within the harbour area, or to a club or organisation if using their private slipway.

 

FAQ : Can I go fishing in the River Adur?

The middle reaches of the river support a good mixed coarse fishery, with species such as Roach, Dace and Chub present.

The upper tidal reaches also have good mixed coarse fishing, including Bream, Carp and Pike. In the lower tidal section, Mullet, Bass and Flounder can be encountered.

The River Adur also supports a good annual run of Seatrout, which migrate in from the sea during summer months and spawn on gravel beds in the winter.

Information relating to angling clubs and permits for fishing on the River Adur can be found in the "Where to go fishing - Southern / Sussex region" booklet available on the Environment Agency website (PDF file 1.15mb) (http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0607BMME-e-e.pdf?lang=_e). See also the Environment Agency website's full list of all 'where to go fishing' publications (http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/epages/eapublications.storefront/481b03b00237c1d4273fc0a802960649/Search/Run).

Anglers (aged 12 years or over) fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England (except the River Tweed), Wales or the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland, must have an Environment Agency rod licence. Licences are available from The Environment Agency on 0870 1662 662, on-line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk or from any Post Office in England and Wales.

See also :

 

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Contact details :

For specific enquiries please see the relevant contact details, or website links, on the main body of the page.

For other more general enquiries :

Adur District Council,
Commerce way,
Lancing,
BN15 8TA
Tel : (01273) 263047
Fax : (01273) 263224
Minicom : (01273) 263131
Send the Street Scene Projects Officer an e-mail
website : www.adur.gov.uk

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Related external websites :

See main body of page - also :

Boatlaunch website (www.boatlaunch.co.uk/default.aspx?page=display&nodeid=1867)

Shoreham Port Authority (www.portshoreham.co.uk)

Environment Agency (www.environment-agency.gov.uk)

Environment Agency : Adur and Ouse CAMS (Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy) (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/southern/582283/310249/?version=1&lang=_e)

Environment Agency : Boating information and 'Navigation Team' (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/navigation/747419/?version=1&lang=_e)

Environment Agency : Water quality / water pollution (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterquality/)

RSPB : Adur Estuary (www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/adurestuary/index.asp)

The Wildlife Trusts : Water and wetlands (www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=environment:water)

Adur Valley Wildlife (www.glaucus.org.uk/Estuary.htm)

Adur River and District (www.adur.org.uk)

Public Devonshire Canal Project (www.jim-shead.com/waterways/Public-Devonshire-Canal-Project.html)

The Argus Newspaper : Shoreham Circular Walk (www.theargus.co.uk/whatson/walks/westsussex/shorehamcircular/)

Waterscape - River Adur (www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/river-adur)

Waterscape - Southwick Canal (www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/southwick-canal)

WSCC : Sussex Water Partnership (www.westsussex.gov.uk/redirect/?oid=%5Bcom.arsdigita.cms.contenttypes.ArticleSection:%7Bid=2362729%7D%5D)

Sea Cadets (see either 'Hove & Adur' or 'Worthing' units) (http://seacadets.ms-sc.org)

Rivers Access Campaign (www.riversaccess.org)

See also :
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