River Anker

Alders Mill on the Anker near Pinwall

The River Anker is a river in Warwickshire, coursing through the northern edges of the county finally to become a tributary of the River Tame at the county boundary in Tamworth

This is a mixed river of country and town: it flows mainly through farmland but also through the centre of Nuneaton and Tamworth. The Anker is popular with anglers and is known to contain some large pike and chub. Also there are barbel present with fish over 15 lb being reported.

The river rises near Wolvey in Warwickshire and flows north-westward. In Nuneaton it passes through the town centre before breaking loose of the town and continuing north-west towards Atherstone. It crosses Watling Street just west of the town and at this point the county border with Leicestershire stops following Watling Street and follows down the Anker.

The river forms the county border for a few miles skirting around Atherstone.

Further downstream at Alvecote, the river passes through Alvecote Pools and meadows, a 316 acre 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' and nature reserve.

Flooding

The River Anker has flooded Nuneaton several times in the past until a storm-burst flood relief scheme was built in Weddington.

In 2007 the river flooded Liberty Way, forcing Nuneaton Town and Nuneaton RFC to cancel matches while the river water was cleared up.