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The Avon Ring includes the River Severn & the River Avon (Warwickshire). Take care when mooring and cruising. Both rivers have varying water levels and currents.
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Lock Gates
Tunnel AqueductThe Avon Cruising Ring is a picturesque circular waterway route, ideal for narrowboat holidaymakers seeking a balance of countryside cruising, historic towns, and peaceful moorings. Covering approximately 109 miles and featuring 129 locks, the ring typically takes 7–14 days to complete, depending on your pace.
This canal circuit offers a delightful mix of navigable rivers and tranquil canals, making it perfect for both novice boaters and seasoned cruisers.
The Avon Cruising Ring connects four beautiful waterways:
Highlights Along the Avon Ring
Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s hometown, theatre, and canal basin
Tewkesbury – Medieval market town with a Norman abbey
Worcester – Historic cathedral city and riverside moorings
Bournville – A chocolate-themed detour
Tardebigge Locks – A true engineering marvel for canal enthusiasts
Whether you’re a first-time boater or planning a longer holiday, there are numerous hire boat bases located along or near the Avon Ring:
These bases offer well-equipped hire boats for holidays ranging from weekends to two-week adventures
Mooring, Dining & Local Life
The Avon Ring is dotted with pubs, farm shops, historic inns, and canal-side cafes, perfect for refuelling and relaxing. Popular stopping points include:
The Dirty Duck, Stratford-upon-Avon
The Camp House Inn, Grimley (River Severn)
The Angel Inn, Pershore
Evesham’s Waterside Cafes
Whether you're a couple, family, or group of friends, the Avon Cruising Ring offers a perfect mix of nature, heritage, and adventure. With well-maintained waterways and a variety of sights to see, it’s an ideal choice for your next canal boat holiday.
Hire a narrowboat from one of the local marinas listed above
Enjoy lock flights, river cruising, and historic towns
Make memories on one of the UK’s finest circular canal routes
Shakespeare sets the stage for a literary and aquatic adventure.
2. Navigating the Upper Avon:
As the boat glides on the Upper Avon, the surroundings transform into a picturesque panorama of meadows, woodlands, and charming villages. It's a canvas of green and gold, painted by nature itself.
3. Evesham: A Riverside Haven:
The town of Evesham, nestled along the Avon, beckons boaters with its riverside charm. Moorings offer a gateway to explore the town's history and horticulture, including the famous Abbey Gardens.
4. Flanking the Worcester and Birmingham Canal:
The Avon Cruising Ring seamlessly merges with the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, adding a dimension of industrial heritage to the journey. Passing through locks and aqueducts, boaters navigate this fusion of nature and history.
5. The River Severn Confluence:
A highlight is reaching the confluence with the mighty River Severn. The merging of these waterways introduces a broader expanse, and boaters witness the convergence of two influential rivers.
6. Tewkesbury's Historical Embrace:
Tewkesbury, with its medieval charm, invites boaters to explore its waterside pubs, historic streets, and the remarkable Tewkesbury Abbey. The Avon's meeting with the Severn adds a grandeur to the town's riverscape.
7. The Lower Avon's Tranquil Stretch:
Heading downstream on the Lower Avon, the pace slows, and the river becomes a tranquil companion. It's a stretch where the only rush is the gentle murmur of water against the boat's hull.
8. Bidford-on-Avon: A Riverside Gem:
Bidford-on-Avon is a gem along the route, offering a haven for boaters. The ancient bridge, riverside inns, and the allure of the surrounding countryside make it a delightful stop.
9. Returning to Stratford-upon-Avon:
As the Avon Cruising Ring completes its circle, returning to Stratford-upon-Avon feels like coming home. The familiarity of the starting point is now enriched by the memories and discoveries made along the waterways.#
10. The Boater's Reflections:
For the boater, the Avon Cruising Ring is not just a series of locks and miles; it's a reflection of tranquillity, a connection with nature, and a voyage through England's heritage. Every bend, every mooring, and every village becomes a page in the logbook of a boater's tale.
Embarking on the Avon Cruising Ring is not just navigating waterways; it's immersing oneself in a story written by the river, a story that unfolds with each ripple and reveals the timeless beauty of England's canal network.
Users of the information displayed in this website or in websites linked to directly or indirectly, do so on the basis that it is a guide only. I Do Canals or its directors, partners or associates do not accept any responsibility for inaccuracies, omissions, costs incurred or disappointments of any kind what-so-ever. It is the users responsibility to check directly with any services, displayed, listed or linked to in or from this website, or associated parties with regards to (but not limited to) directions, costs, facilities, services, hospitality, availability, accommodation, etc. There is no implied recommendation for any of the entries or firms listed, nor is any criticism implied for any entry or firm not yet listed.
We have added 103 Waterways and there are 3048 entries listed and displayed on our maps and/or the resource pages:
Waterways Resources -
Boat Build & Fit Out -
Waterside Attractions. We continue to add items on a very regular basis.
Many entries have several services on offer, on average 5 services (some have many more). This means there are approx. 5 x the number of services listed.
