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The River Stort

 The River Stort  The River Stort runs for about 24 miles from its source near the Essex village of Langley to its confluence with the River Lea near Hoddesdon.  The river was canalised between Bishops Stortford and its mouth in the eighteenth century to facilitate the malt trade between Bishop Stortford and London whilst the river above Bishop Stortford runs through agricultural lands. The landscapes through which the Stort runs are therefore entirely man made.  Above Bishop Stortford the river is little more than a stream running through rural pastures but the navigation canal, or Stort Navigation as it is called is an example of an industrial structure being returned to nature. Or rather being repurposed to become a recreational area for human leisure activities (walking or using the river for aquatic pastimes).  The Stort Navigation  is managed by the Canal and River Trust who keep the footpaths clear of vegetation and the canal clea...
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Landscape Art

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