Kingsbridge Estuary
The Kingsbridge Estuary in the South Hams area of Devon, England runs from Kingsbridge in the north to its mouth at the English Channel near Salcombe and lies between Bolt Head and Sharpitor to the west and Portlemouth Down to the east. The estuary is some in length, with numerous side channels. Several of its creeks have independent names, including Blanksmill, Frogmore, Southpool, Batson and Bowcombe Creek.
It covers an area of 674ha of which 446 ha are inter-tidal. At high water the length of coast within the ria is. Although there are no major water courses entering the estuary, its total catchment area is.
The estuary is an extreme example of a ria or drowned valley caused by rising sea levels rather than a true estuary. Prior to the sea level rise at the end of the last glacial period, it was the valley of a river. Its size is disproportionate to the size of the small streams which flow into it.
In February 1987 the estuary was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is a Local Nature Reserve and lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
