River Yeo (South Somerset) Explained

River Yeo
Name Other:River Ivel
Name Etymology:Celtic river-name gifl 'forked river'. Old English ēa 'river'
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:England
Subdivision Type2:Counties
Subdivision Name2:Dorset, Somerset
Subdivision Type5:Towns
Subdivision Name5:Sherborne, Bradford Abbas, Yeovil, Mudford, Yeovilton, Ilchester
Length:15miles
Source1:https://somersetrivers.uk/somerset-rivers/south-somerset-rivers/river-yeo/
Source1 Location:Henstridge Bowden, South Somerset
Source1 Coordinates:50.9819°N -2.4406°W
Mouth:River Parrett
Mouth Location:Langport, South Somerset, Somerset, England
Mouth Coordinates:51.0308°N -2.8247°W
Tributaries Left:Bearley Brook
Tributaries Right:Trent Brook

The River Yeo, also known as the River Ivel,[1] is a tributary of the River Parrett in north Dorset and south Somerset, England.

The river's names derive from the Celtic river-name gifl 'forked river'. The name Yeo appears to have been influenced by Old English ēa 'river'.[2]

The river rises in the North Dorset Downs region. It flows through the town of Sherborne and Sherborne Lake in north Dorset, and the Somerset towns of Yeovil, Yeovilton and Ilchester, to which it gives its name, and joins the River Parrett near Langport. For a few miles east of Yeovil, it forms the county boundary between Somerset and Dorset.

The river is navigable for light craft for 8miles from the Parrett to Ilchester.[3]

The Yeo's tributaries include the River Gascoigne, which rises near Milborne Wick and joins the Yeo near Sherborne,[4] the River Wriggle, Trent Brook, Hornsey Brook, the River Cam and Bearley Brook.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: River Yeo – Somerset Rivers . 2024-07-06 . en-GB.
  2. Mills, A.D. and Room, A. A Dictionary of British Place-Names Oxford University Press
  3. http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/river.php?wpage=YEO Jim Shead website
  4. News: Rolling down the river. John Vallins . . 4 July 2005. 30 September 2013.