River Alre

River Alre
River Arle
Alre Valley
The river as shown on a 19th century OS map
Confluence into the Itchen, in Hampshire
EtymologyA back formation from Alresford
Location
CountryEngland
CountyHampshire
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationeast end of Bishop's Sutton, Hampshire
  coordinates51°4′56″N 1°7′11″W / 51.08222°N 1.11972°W / 51.08222; -1.11972
  elevation72 m (236 ft)
MouthRiver Itchen
  location
near New Alresford, Hampshire
  coordinates
51°5′16″N 1°11′2.9″W / 51.08778°N 1.184139°W / 51.08778; -1.184139
  elevation
51 m (167 ft)
Length6.0 km (3.7 mi)
Basin size56.31 km2 (21.74 sq mi)
Discharge 
  locationNew Alresford
Basin features
ProgressionAlre, Itchen, Southampton Water arm of The Solent (English Channel)
River systemItchen basin

The River Alre (also, occasionally, Arle) is a tributary of the River Itchen in Hampshire in the south of England. It rises in Bishop's Sutton and flows west for 6 km (3.7 mi) to meet the Itchen below New Alresford.

The river is a classic English chalk stream with a shallow gravel bed and fast flowing waters, fed year-round by chalk springs. Through Bishop's Sutton it forms a good natural trout fishery and later supports a watercress harvest after which the Watercress Line, a heritage steam railway, is named.