River Nadder

The name is derived from a Celtic word *nootr, "flowing water", from the same root as the Latin natare, "to swim". (Hoare's account of Wiltshire gives a folk etymology which is still popular, deriving it from adder.)

The river flows north from Ludwell to West End where it is joined by the Ferne Brook, close to the Lower Coombe and Ferne Brook Meadows site of special scientific interest (SSSI). At Wardour it is joined by the River Sem. The river then flows east through Tisbury, where it is joined by the Fonthill Brook, and then onto Barford St Martin and Burcombe before reaching Wilton. Near Quidhampton, the Wylye joins from the north. After passing Harnham, the Nadder joins the Avon near Salisbury Cathedral.

Including its headwaters, the river's length is about 55 km (34 mi).

The Environment Agency measures the water quality of the river systems in England. Each is given an overall ecological status, which may be one of five levels: high, good, moderate, poor and bad. There are several components that are used to determine this, including biological status, which looks at the quantity and varieties of invertebrates, angiosperms and fish. Chemical status, which compares the concentrations of various chemicals against known safe concentrations, is rated good or fail.

Water quality of the River Nadder in 2019: