Avon Navigation (Warwickshire)

IWA Branch

Warwickshire Branch

Navigation Authorities

Lower Avon Navigation Trust (Evesham to Tewkesbury), Mill Wharf, Mill Lane, Wyre Piddle, PERSHORE, WR10 2JF.  Tel: 01386 552 517

Upper Avon Navigation Trust (Stratford-on-Avon to Evesham), Mill Wharf, Mill Lane, Wyre Piddle, PERSHORE, WR10 2JF. Tel: 01386 552 517

Joint web site of the two Trusts: www.shakespearesavon.co.uk/

The Avon forms part of the Warwickshire and Avon rings of canals, passing through Warwick, Stratford Upon Avon, Evesham, Pershore and Tewkesbury. Licences are available for either the upper or lower river or a joint licence.

There are 17 locks over the rivers 44 mile (70.8km) navigable length.

Boaters’ Services

Hire Boat Companies

Bidford Boats
Riverside House,
4 The Pleck, BIDFORD-ON-AVON, B50 4BB
Tel/Fax: 01789 773205
www.bidfordboats.co.uk

Evesham Marina
Kings Road, EVESHAM, WR11 3XZ
Tel: 01386 47813
Fax: 01386 442827
eveshammarina@hotmail.com

Boatyards

Bidford Boats
Repairs, pump out, slipway
Riverside House,
4 The Pleck, BIDFORD-ON-AVON, B50 4BB
Tel/Fax: 01789 773205
www.bidfordboats.co.uk

Evesham Marina
Repairs, pump out diesel, gas, carnage, slipway, chandlery
Kings Road, EVESHAM, WR11 3XZ
Tel: 01386 47813
Fax: 01386 442827
eveshammarina@hotmail.com

Historical Information

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.  Read all about the campaign to re-open the Avon Navigation here.

Further Information

For books, maps, guides, videos, DVDs and gifts on this waterways, click here

Websites

Local government links

Stratford-on-Avon D C

Tewkesbury BC