The River Beane is a globally rare chalk stream river. There are only around 250 chalk streams in the world, over 200 of which are in the south and east of England (the others are in northern France).

Chalk streams are so-called, not because they have chalk riverbeds (generally they don’t) but because they start or ‘rise’ from springs in the chalk hills at the heads of these rivers.

The River Beane is around 30km (20miles) in length and can be divided into three distinct sections, starting at its northern, upstream end: the Winterbourne section in the north, flowing southward into the Upper Beane and then, after being joined by the Stevenage Brook,  onwards as the Lower Beane all the way to its junction with the River Lea.

Click the button below to be taken on an imaginary walk along the river’s journey from where it starts, flowing from chalk springs.