River Avon, Warwickshire
Ice advanced into the Midlands from the north, east and west about 50,000 years ago. This glacial period blocked the flow of the Warwickshire Avon to its former confluence with the River Trent. The waters were trapped on three sides by the glacier and by the Cotswolds to the south. A large body of water formed in this depression, which geologists call Lake Harrison. At its maximum depth, this lake covered the whole of Warwickshire and reached over 100 feet deep. After about 10,000 years, the ice finally retreated. The trapped water cut through the previous watershed and escaped to the southwest. This event created the present day route of the river flowing generally southwestwards.
The name Avon derives from the British language word for river. This same root survives as a number of other English and Scottish river names. Modern Welsh and Cornish also use avon to mean river. This linguistic history makes River Avon an example of a tautological place name. The term appears repeatedly across the United Kingdom where rivers bear this specific designation. It distinguishes this particular waterway from several others sharing the identical title. The source lies near the village of Naseby in Northamptonshire before forming borders between counties.
The first moves to return the waterway to a navigable condition occurred in March 1949 when the Evesham Journal published an article on its history. Robert Aickman started a correspondence with the editor suggesting that the river could be restored. C. Douglas Barwell sought legal advice out of which the Lower Avon Navigation Trust Ltd formed as a charity in 1950. By May 1952, despite austerity, LANT had raised over £4,000 towards the work. The Royal Engineers helped reconstruct Chadbury Lock as a training exercise increasing public awareness. Work began on the 19th of July 1966 once half the cost for new locks had been raised. Phase one covering Evesham to Bidford Bridge opened on the 12th of June 1971 during an IWA boat rally at Bidford. The project involved nine new locks reopening a navigation derelict for over 100 years completed on the 1st of June 1974.
Traffic is now exclusively leisure-oriented with overnight moorings available at Stratford-upon-Avon and Pershore among other locations. The river forms part of the Avon Ring a circular cruising route spanning 83 miles. This route includes 129 locks connecting Tewkesbury back to Stratford via the Severn and Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Plans to extend the navigable river to provide a link with the Grand Union Canal have met opposition from landowners. Some 15,000 tonnes of clay was excavated and transported by barge to construction works at Birlingham in May 2010. The use of barges saved approximately 3,000 lorry trips between sites while creating wetland reserves for wildlife.
The Environment Agency measures water quality giving each system an overall ecological status ranging from high to bad. Chemical status compares concentrations of various chemicals against known safe concentrations rated good or fail. The chemical status changed from good to fail in 2019 due to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorooctane sulphonate compounds. Reasons for less than good ratings include run off from agricultural land and discharge from sewage treatment plants. The lower river is also affected by physical modification of the channel. Biological status looks at quantities and varieties of invertebrates angiosperms and fish present in the ecosystem.
At 01:18 on Sunday the 18th of July 2021 Craig Openshaw became the first person to swim the entire length of the navigable river. He swam 47.1 miles starting from Alveston Weir in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The challenge was completed in 29 hours and 18 minutes following a three month training programme. Bob Bain rowed the entire course as lead kayak in memory of his late wife Gail Bain. Permission to complete the swim was granted by the Avon Navigation Trust who verified it had never been previously completed. The team raised £17,800 for Cancer Research UK with hundreds of spectators turning out along the banks. Craig finished after swimming through day and night supported by a four man crew including Robert Stringer and Joe Bawdon.
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Common questions
When did the River Avon in Warwickshire form its current route?
The present day route of the river flowing generally southwestwards was created after about 10,000 years when the ice finally retreated and trapped water cut through the previous watershed. This event occurred following a glacial period that advanced into the Midlands from the north east and west about 50,000 years ago.
Who authorized navigation works on the River Avon in Warwickshire in 1635?
Charles I issued letters patent naming William Sandys as the grantee with powers to improve both this river and the River Teme. The navigation works were originally authorised by an Order in Council dated 1635.
What caused the chemical status of the River Avon in Warwickshire to fail in 2019?
The chemical status changed from good to fail in 2019 due to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorooctane sulphonate compounds. Reasons for less than good ratings include run off from agricultural land and discharge from sewage treatment plants.
How long did it take Craig Openshaw to swim the entire length of the navigable River Avon in Warwickshire?
Craig Openshaw completed the challenge in 29 hours and 18 minutes after starting at 01:18 on Sunday the 18th of July 2021. He swam 47.1 miles following a three month training programme.