Butley River

Butley
Butley River at Boyton Dock
Butley River is located in Suffolk
Butley River
Location within Suffolk
Location
CountryEngland
RegionSuffolk
Physical characteristics
SourceRendlesham Forest
 • coordinates52°06′36″N 1°24′36″E / 52.110°N 1.410°E / 52.110; 1.410
 • elevation13 m (43 ft)
MouthRiver Ore near Boyton Marshes
 • coordinates
52°04′15″N 1°30′09″E / 52.0708°N 1.5025°E / 52.0708; 1.5025
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length12.2 km (7.6 mi)
Basin features
River systemRiver Ore

The Butley River[1] or Butley Creek[2] is a tributary of the River Ore in the English county of Suffolk.[3] The river has its source in the Rendlesham Forest area to the east of Eyke.

The river is tidal from its confluence with the Ore at Boyton as far inland as Butley Mills and almost to the village of Chillesford. A water mill was first recorded at Butley Mills in 1530.[3] The river was also used for the transport of goods but by 1948 had become too silted to allow either use.[3]

The river is located within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An RSPB reserve, Boyton Marshes, is situated at the mouth of the river on an area of salt marsh.[4] A registered charity, the Alde & Ore Association, exists to "preserve and protect for the public benefit the Alde, Ore and Butley Creek rivers and their banks from Shingle Street to their tidal limits".[5]

The river is crossed by the Butley Ferry during the summer period.[6] This provides a link between Orford and Boyton and Butley for pedestrians and cyclists along the Suffolk Coast Path.[6]

  1. ^ "Ordnance Survey map". Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  2. ^ "The Alde and Ore Association". Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  3. ^ a b c River use & archaeology Archived 2012-06-22 at the Wayback Machine, Ebb & Flow. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  4. ^ About - Boyton and Hollesley Marshes, RSPB. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
  5. ^ "Alde and Ore Association". Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b Butley Ferry Archived 2012-07-02 at the Wayback Machine, Alde & Ore Association. Retrieved 2012-12-24.