Butley River

The Butley River[1] or Butley Creek[2] is a tributary of the River Ore in the English county of Suffolk.[3] The river has its source in the Rendlesham Forest area to the east of Eyke.

Butley
Butley River at Boyton Dock
Location within Suffolk
Location
Country	England
Region	Suffolk
Physical characteristics
Source	Rendlesham Forest
• coordinates	52.110°N 1.410°E / 52.110; 1.410
• elevation	13 m (43 ft)
Mouth	River Ore near Boyton Marshes
• coordinates	52.0708°N 1.5025°E / 52.0708; 1.5025
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	12.2 km (7.6 mi)
Basin features
River system	River Ore

The river is tidal from its confluence with the Ore at Boyton as far inland as Butley Mills and almost to the village of Chillesford. A water mill was first recorded at Butley Mills in 1530.[3] The river was also used for the transport of goods but by 1948 had become too silted to allow either use.[3]

The river is located within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An RSPB reserve, Boyton Marshes, is situated at the mouth of the river on an area of salt marsh.[4] A registered charity, the Alde & Ore Association, exists to "preserve and protect for the public benefit the Alde, Ore and Butley Creek rivers and their banks from Shingle Street to their tidal limits".[5]

The river is crossed by the Butley Ferry during the summer period.[6] This provides a link between Orford and Boyton and Butley for pedestrians and cyclists along the Suffolk Coast Path.[6]