The River Soar is a major tributary of the River Trent in the East Midlands of England and the main river of Leicestershire. The river rises midway between the towns of Hinckley and Lutterworth. It then flows north through Leicester, where it is joined by the Grand Union Canal. It continues through the Leicestershire Soar Valley, passing Loughborough and Kegworth, until it joins the Trent at the county boundary. In the 18th century the Soar was navigable, first between Loughborough and Trent. Then as far as Leicester. It was not until the early 19th century that it was linked by the Grand Union Canal to the wider network to the south and to London.
The Soar rises near Wibtoft in Warwickshire. Flows north and joins the Soar at Sharnford, then continues north-eastwards, flowing through Croft and between Narborough and Littlethorpe until it joins the River Shadow at Enderby on the outskirts of Leicester. Before flowing through the centre of the city it meets the Grand Union Canal at Aylestone. Where it is joined by the River Biam. After crossing Freemens weir, the river divides and rejoins the canal, creating an area in Leicester called Bede Island. The navigable arm that runs to the east has been channelised with parallel banks and is known as ‚The Mile Straight‘. Beyond Blackfriars the river splits again to form Frog Island and Abbey Park. It rejoins at Belgrave, where it flows alongside the National Space Centre.
