It rises in Meadow Lake in Northwood, and flows south, then generally east through Raymond, Epping, Lee, Durham and finally Newmarket.

Originally a sawmill, the site was used subsequently to make knives, nuts and bolts, pitchforks, carriages, matches and wallpaper.

Sites such as Wadleigh Falls show the remnants of old mills and the rich river culture that used to be.

The shoreline of the Lamprey River, its floodplain and its wetlands provide a wide range of valuable wildlife habitats.

The river between these points has slow meanders and rapids, and small waterfalls such as Packers Falls in Durham.