River Ray

The River Ray is a small tributary of the River Thames in Wiltshire. It begins near Wroughton, south of Swindon, and flows northwards past Shaw and Roughmoor. Near Roughmoor it is joined by the Lydiard Brook from the west. The river then continues to the Thames, meeting it south of Calcutt, east of Cricklade. Its total length is about 11.5 kilometres from its source to the Lydiard Brook, and a further 10.3 kilometres from there to the Thames. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust ran a restoration project to improve the river’s condition. The final stage finished in December 2007 with the construction of a tunnel near Rivermead. This allows nine species of fish to move freely along the river without obstructions. The project aimed to restore natural habitats and improve water quality for wildlife. Visitors can walk along parts of the riverbank where paths are accessible. The area around Shaw and Roughmoor offers quiet countryside scenery. Near Calcutt, the river meets the Thames in a peaceful setting. The restored sections provide good spots for observing fish and other wildlife. The tunnel near Rivermead is not visible but supports the river’s ecological health. The route offers a gentle walk through rural Wiltshire.