The dataset contains measurements of temperature (°C) and light availability (Lux) in rivers in the Hampshire Avon catchment (UK). Six rivers within sub-catchments of contrasting geology (clay, sand, chalk) were investigated. The stream sites monitored were chosen to reflect a gradient of base flow index. Data were obtained via direct, field-based measurements every 15 minutes from February 2013 to (max) December 2014 with sensors tethered to the bed of the river at each site.