Boating holiday routes: The River Avon
The picturesque River Avon meanders its way through attractive Warwickshire and Gloucestershire countryside, providing boaters with plenty of opportunities to alight and explore some of the most historic towns and villages in the UK.
Tewkesbury, the characterful town with its medieval streets hosts beautiful Tudor, black and white half-timber buildings. The popular town is home to one of the top tourist attractions in Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury Abbey. The Abbey is almost 900 years old and features a Norman tower, stained glass windows and an ornate 12th Century ceiling. Other attractions include the Heritage centre, town museum and a traditional high street, full of independent shops. Moor up at Tewkesbury Marina for a short walk into the village centre. A good place for a spot of lunch is the Royal Hop Pole, due to its historic architecture, and riverside garden.
The beautiful Vale of Evesham (11 hours cruise from Tewkesbury) also has some interesting attractions worth visiting along the way. The Bell Tower of Evesham Abbey is one of the only parts of the Abbey to survive the revolutionary Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th Century. King Henry VIII disbanded the Catholic Monasteries, often demolishing the Abbeys and Cathedrals. Close by is the 14th Century Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre. Here you can take a trip back in time viewing historic artefacts including Anglo-Saxon grave goods and Georgian clothing. Evesham is easily accessible from the River, just moor up along the towpath for a nice walk into the town.
Last, but certainly not least is the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, a 7-hour cruise from Evesham. Home to William Shakespeare, many of the town’s attractions, as expected, focus on the famous poet and playwright’s life. Such attractions include Shakespeare’s birthplace on Henley Street and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. The beautiful thatched farmhouse with its stunning gardens is only a 1 mile walk from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. Of course a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are moorings directly oppositethe theatre.
To enjoy all that the River Avon has to offer, start your holiday from our bases at either Stratford-upon-Avon, Wootton Wawen, Worcester, or Pershore. Please note that if you start from Stratford-upon-Avon, Wootton Wawen or Worcester you will also be required to purchase a licence to cruise on the River Avon. If you start from Pershore the licence fee is already included. To continue on and extend your holiday past the River Avon, if time permits, why not carry on past Tewkesbury onto the River Severn. Alternatively, if you have two weeks to spare and you also have boating experience, why not try the Avon Ring? At 109 miles and 131 locks it’s certainly a challenge!
Search for boating holidays on the River Avon:
Search: www.waterwaysholidays.com/canal_boat_holidays.htm and select ‘River Avon’ from the drop down menu. We are also available on the phone, give our team a call on 01252 796400 for friendly boating advice.
