The River Leen Strategy
The River Leen is Nottingham’s river
Many people who live and work in Nottingham can recognise the River Leen as it crosses large parts of the city through Bestwood and Bulwell, onto Basford and Bobbers Mill, before flowing through Lenton and into the River Trent near Victoria Embankment.
The River Leen is an important and historic river. We want to make sure it stays clean, safe, and fun for everyone to enjoy!
The Environment Agency are working on a strategy to manage flood risk from the river but we also want to work with everyone who lives, works, or plays near the river.to help nature and wildlife too. When we take care of the river, it also helps the plants, animals, and people who live nearby.
The River Leen needs you!
This page will keep you updated about our plans and let you know how you can join in and help take care of the River Leen—so it stays healthy for many years to come.
The River Leen isn't just Nottingham's river, its your river and we want to know what you know and think about the River Leen. What do you like about it? Is there anything you think could make it better? Can you see the Leen from where you work or live?
You can support us by:
- Subscribing to this page for updates on our work on the River Leen.
- Leaving a short story to tell us what you think of the River Leen in our "stories" section below.
- Sending us your pictures of the Leen in our "places" section below.
- Visiting this page frequently to learn about other work you can support us with on the river.
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What's New
The Leen: Nottingham’s River
Presented by University of Nottingham Libraries, Manuscripts and Special Collections
Thursday 9 October 2025 to Sunday 15 March 2026
Admission is freeThis exhibition puts the Leen at the centre of the story of modern Nottingham. From its source in the Robin Hood Hills above Newstead Abbey to the River Trent at the Meadows, the River Leen connects places and communities.
Drawing on the archives of the Trent River Authority and its predecessor bodies, the materials on display show the challenges created by the growth of places like Bulwell and Basford and the expansion of industry. These included pollution from chemicals and sewage, and changing flood risk from urban expansion. New management challenges shaped the redrawing of Nottingham’s political and economic boundaries, and in the 1960s a substantial engineering ‘Improvement Scheme’ diverted the river and fixed the channel behind steel pilings and flood walls. The Leen: Nottingham’s River evaluates the legacies of historic interventions along the Leen for those who manage and live beside it today.
This exhibition has been jointly curated by Dr David Beckingham and Dr Rachel Dishington (School of Geography) and Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham, with additional input from the Environment Agency.
Partners and Contacts
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Phone 02030258286 Email emdenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk -
Phone 0800 80 70 60
