Stour

Stour is the name given to several rivers in England. The origin of the name is uncertain, but it is commonly thought to derive from Old English or earlier roots referring to a loud or turbulent stream. The term has persisted in English toponymy for centuries and is used for multiple watercourses as well as in place names.

The best-known Stour is the River Stour of East Anglia, which drains parts of Suffolk and Essex and flows toward the North Sea. The river and its tributaries support agriculture and local communities, and parts of the system are navigable for small craft. The Stour valley is notable for its wetlands and wildlife habitats, including birdlife and wet meadow ecosystems.

A second well-known example is the River Stour in the south of England, which forms part of the boundary between Dorset and Hampshire. This river generally flows toward the coast and is associated with rural drainage, mills, and countryside scenery, contributing to local landscapes and heritage.

In addition to these, several smaller streams across England bear the name Stour. The recurrence of the name in hydrology reflects historical patterns of settlement and land use, with rivers named Stour often appearing in medieval records, parish boundaries, and rural economies.