Your visit starts by crossing the lock gates onto the manmade island in the middle of the River Severn. See inside the renovated Victorian workshop and find out about the hidden history of this island. Learn how a rare species of fish – the twaite shad – was impacted when navigation weirs such as Diglis weir were built on the River Severn. We will also explain how modern engineering has allowed us to finally restore access upriver for shad to reach their traditional spawning grounds.
Next, the tour group are guided on a 15 minute walk along the riverside path to our new Diglis fish pass. This is a huge structure – 100m long, 8 metres wide and 5 metres deep; it is the biggest deep vertical slot fish pass in England and Wales. You’ll have the chance to see how water flows through this structure and provides a swimway past the weir for river fish. The tour culminates with your opportunity to descend down beneath the surface of the river into our unique underwater viewing gallery. If you are lucky you may spot some wild fish swimming through the pass!
Our tours are offered FREE of CHARGE thanks to our volunteer Diglis Island Guides generously giving up their time to provide tours to the public. Tour dates are based on these volunteers’ availability.