caked magazine

The Severn Bore
An Illustrated Guide
Chris Witts
(Amberley Publishing)

If you’ve ever fancied exploring the Severn Bore, whether that be at a safe distance, on dry land, or up on a board, but haven’t known where to start then this just might be the book for you.

Crammed full of pictures, including: views from all angles of the part of the Severn where the Severn Bore can be found, techniques for catching the bore and great shot of people riding it.

Chris Witts is a widely acclaimed expert on the bore, having written about it and been involved with a BBC Radio 4 series on it. In this book he uses his years of experience and knowledge to really give the reader a taste for this natural phenomenon.

His shares with us his favourite moments alongside the bore and on top of it, gives tips on the best time of year and location to catch the bore and gives a real insight into the background, historical context and facts surrounding the River Severn and the bore itself.

The Severn bore is one of around 60 river bores throughout the world and catching a glimpse of it is a popular pass time with a good bore pulling into hundreds of people to the banks of the river, just below Gloucester. Although most of happy watching the bore from the safety of dry land there are also many who want to try a more hands on approach, form surfers to canoeists.

Inside the book you will not only find beautiful pictures of the river Severn and its surrounds as well as useful data about the bore, helping you to pinpoint when best to see it, but also tips on surfing, fishing and generally getting the most out of one of our most interesting rivers. Witts doesn’t skimp on safety advice either – highlighting many important factors to take into consideration if you are thinking of tackling the bore yourself.

This book is an essential for your bore spotting kit – packed with all the info you might need, from lists of potential viewing spots to tidal factors and also plenty to keep you going while you’re waiting for the bore to appear, not least various diagrams of eel catching apparatus.  So throw it in your rucksack, along with a flask and a blanket and you’re all set.