Distance: 85 miles
One of the major tributaries of the River Severn, the River Avon (Warwickshire) is located in central England. Also known as the Warwickshire Avon or Shakespheare’s Avon, this 85 mile long river has a lot to offer the recreational paddler. It’s a great river for a multi-day adventure with the family.
Rising in Northamptonshire it flows through several counties. It continues through Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire close to the Cotswold Hills. The river then flows at a gentle pace for much of its length making it an ideal touring route.
From Stratford Upon Avon to the confluence with the Severn at Tewksbury, the River Avon is a navigation. It is managed by the Avon Navigation Trust (ANT). A license is required on this section, either through Paddle UK membership or directly from ANT.
Little known fact about the River Avon in Warwickshire
The river can be traced back to before the last Ice Age over 50,000 years ago, where at that time, it actually flowed northwards towards the River Trent. It only changed direction after the Ice Age when glaciers melted and changed the course.