The River Avon is a great place to paddle due to its scenic beauty and gentle flow. Stratford Upon Avon is, of course, a huge draw for tourists due to being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. (Waterways licence required. Find out more).
Distance: 10.2 Miles (16.4km)
Time: 3 – 4 Hours
Sat Nav: B50 4PG
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For this PaddlePoint route you will need to shuttle between the start and end point as it is not a looped trail.
If there’s a team of you it’s easier to use a couple of cars.
Start at the the Big Meadow car park in Honeybourne Rd, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester, (B50 4PG).
The car park is quite close to Bidford Bridge, where you’ll get out.
Leave one vehicle at Bidford for your return, and in the other car head to Fisherman’s Car Park (CV37 0NP), in Stratford Upon Avon.
Find the full route on PaddlePoints >>
Stratford is, of course, famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
The medieval market town has more than 800 years of history, and contains many surviving historic buildings.
Warwickshire’s River Avon is one of the major tributaries of the River Severn, and in total is about 85 miles long.
The River Avon offers the recreational paddler a multi-day adventure with the family.
As part of our 10 mile route we headed towards Welford-on-Avon.
After setting off we were soon in the bustling town of Stratford-upon-Avon, passing the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Not long after, we got to our first lock of the day which was named, interestingly, the ‘Colin P Witter’ Lock.
The locks are the theme of the day – there are six in total – but at least it gives you a chance to stretch the legs.
Welford is a pretty village with some huge properties.
You pass under the stone Binton Bridge with a beautiful willow tree on the other side.
Barton Lock was the final lock of the day before we reached Bidford Bridge and the finish point.
You need a waterways licence to paddle on the River Avon.
Paddle UK’s On the Water membership is your gateway to the River Avon and many more waterways.