River Bourne, Chertsey

Waterfall at eastern end of Virginia Water Lake where the River Bourne exits the lake

After gathering a number of streams flowing from north, south and west into Virginia Water Lake the stream coalesces into one large stream for the rest of its course. The lake is largely created by a steep boulder cascade with eastern embankments close to car parks at the side of Windsor Great Park, on the A30 London Road. The Chertsey Bourne flows through the north of the landscaped Wentworth Estate, a residential 'golfside' mansions estate dating to periods since the 1920s, where a further weir creates the much smaller Wentworth Pond which is by the Wentworth Club clubhouse. Before Wellington Bridge across the course, the Wentworth Brook rising in Sunningdale Golf Club joins. After this the brook is less exposed to view forming a wide, wooded divide in Virginia Water lined with a walk.

The land either side of the River Bourne below the Lake and west of Virginia Water railway station is owned by Runnymede Borough Council as trustees of the Cabrera Trust, named after Spanish noble Ramòn Cabrera who owned and developed a wide landscape at Wentworth.[1][n 1]

Early Bridges

The bridge nearest the source is an old girder bridge. It is a curiosity and its origin is obscure. Old maps show the valley as wet pastureland, probably suitable for cattle, so a strong bridge would have been necessary.

Near the second bridge downstream from the source, there is a colony of mandarin ducks. They were introduced to the River Bourne in 1929–30. The colony is probably the largest in the United Kingdom and is of international significance due to the rapid decline of mandarin ducks in its native Asia.

The Bourne

At Thorpe Green, a green, road and line of houses beneath Virginia Water station, the river forms the southern border of Thorpe and the northern border of Lyne.[2] During its passage, the northern bank of the River Bourne receives more sun than the south. This affects the microclimate as there are seasonal frost pockets and areas of high humidity which impacts on the vegetation. The Bourne passes into Chertsey and adjoins Chertsey Meads before entering the grounds of St George's College, formerly Woburn Park, close to the Thames in Addlestone. Here, now slow-flowing, as a small river, it joins with the Addlestone branch. Combined, these briefly create a back-gardens feature with a deep, vertical metal-lined channel. This joins the River Thames within 200 m (660 ft) below its southernmost weir, in one of its channels bypassing Shepperton Lock beside Hamm Court, Addlestone close to the border with Weybridge which is marked by the River Wey that joins a further 300 metres (980 ft) downstream of this.

The longest tract of public land is upstream at and by Virginia Water Lake, particularly beyond that when Windsor Great Park is open, in this section it include walks in two parks in Chertsey[n 2]. The river creates access for small motorboats and canoes for the c. 20 properties in its lowest reach at Hamm Court. Only the lower section below a weir is canalised, the remainder is natural bank, forming a minor habitat for the European water vole. The middle course of the Bourne passes under the M3 motorway three times in a short space. In the midst of which the M25 also crosses it.[3]