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River Avon – Warwickshire

The River Avon joins the River Severn at Tewkesbury and is navigable upstream to Alveston Weir. It is joined by the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal at Bancroft Gardens in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Warwickshire Avon Map

Alveston Weir in Warwickshire on the River Avon.

Silver Propeller Challenge

Alveston Weir, River Avon (Warwickshire)

Stratford-upon-Avon

Facts & Stats

45.4 miles

(73.1 km)

The length of the River Avon that is navigable

17 locks

Allowing…

Navigation upstream to Alveston Weir

1639

Improvements

The River was made navigable to Stratford by William Sandys.

Tewkesbury to Alveston

In 1639, the river was made navigable to Stratford by William Sandys. An Act was passed in 1751 to make the Avon open to all but gradually railway competition led to disuse and decay. In 1950, the Lower Avon Navigation Trust was formed and by 1962, boats could reach Evesham and, two years later, Offenham. In 1974, the Upper Avon Navigation Trust reopened the river to Stratford. 

There are proposals to extend navigation further upstream towards Warwick, and with a connection to the Grand Union Canal.

Waterway notes

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 70′ (21.3 metres)
  • Beam: 12′ 6″ (3.8 metres)
  • Height: 10′ (3.0 metres)
  • Draught: 4′ 0″ (1.2 metres) – reduces to 3′ 0″ or less towards Alveston Weir

Navigation authority

Avon Navigation Trust

Branch

Warwickshire

Shop Maps & Guides

Severn, Avon & Birmingham No.2 (Nicholson)

£16.99

Avon and Droitwich Rings Map (Heron)

£6.50

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

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Waterways Heritage at Risk

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You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Local activities

Alveston Weir in Warwickshire on the River Avon.

Silver Propeller Challenge

Alveston Weir, River Avon (Warwickshire)

Stratford-upon-Avon

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