Come and discover the wonders of the River Rother

River dipping, wildlife walks, waterwheel demonstrations and lots more are waiting to be enjoyed by all at the annual River Rother Day 2025!

Following the success of last year’s event, this family fun day celebrating all that the River Rother has to offer is returning on Sunday 27th April 2025. 

The whole family can discover what wriggles and jiggles in the river through free hands-on activities throughout the day, including river dipping with our nature experts.

Or don your walking boots for one of the guided walks along the river bank to find out more about the beautiful wildlife that rely on this riverscape for their food and shelter. 

Home to the only native freshwater crayfish, the River Rother rises from several springs near Empshott in Hampshire before running through stunning countryside for 52 kms. 

As the largest tributary of the River Arun, the Rother flows along the foot of the chalky South Downs providing a home to a range of fish such as brown trout, lampreys and eels, and is designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

Alongside the fish of the Rother, water vole and otters have both set up home on this peaceful river, while kingfishers nest in the banks. 

Chloe Clarke, Rother Partnership Coordinator for the Western Sussex Rivers Trust, explains why this day of watery fun is not to be missed: 

“We are really looking forward to celebrating the River Rother with everyone this April. To have a day dedicated to the wildlife and heritage of the Rother shows how important and loved this river is by the local communities, visitors and landowners.

With huge pressures on the river such as pollution, invasive species and man-made modifications, we have developed an Action Plan, partnering with the South Downs National Park Authority, Southern Water, South Downs Trust and Chichester District Council, and other stakeholders, to improve the water and soil quality of this precious riverscape to help it flourish once more.

Providing a tranquil escape from everyday life, the Rother is a vital source of calm for many people, and a habitat for a wealth of wildlife. 

Come and join us to celebrate this, and find out how we can all do our part to help the Rother thrive.”

Not just a haven for wildlife, historically the Rother has been used for a variety of industries with the earliest mention of watermills on the river in 1086 in the Doomsday book. 

Tony Sneller, Coultershaw Mill Trustee, with responsibility for curating the heritage site, explains: 

“Coultershaw Mill is an important example of 18th century industrialisation in this rural area, and we are thrilled to be hosting the 2025 River Rother Day again.

Bringing people together to learn more about this unique river and how this stunning landscape has been shaped by industry, in particular water-power, for generations, is important to all of us who dedicate our time to preserving this historical site.

With live demos of the water wheel driven Beam Pump and turbine generator in action, and at just £4 per adult with children going free, it’s a perfect weekend adventure in the fresh air.”

Find out more at www.wsrt.org.uk or coultershaw.co.uk.