BATH TO AVONMOUTH
Map: OS Landranger 172
Normal flow grade 1 - 2
Please note all weirs and automatic sluices are dangerous with big boils in spate!.
The River Avon flows through the Georgian city of Bath on its way down the Avon Valley.
After leaving the city it passes through open farmland before the valley narrows after leaving Hanham and then has well wooded slopes on either side before entering the city of Bristol. In the final few kilometres it passes through the Avon Gorge before entering the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth.
The Port of Bristol Authority extends to the tail of Hanham Lock where British Waterways takes over and covers the river to the entrance of the Kennet and Avon Canal just below Pulteney Weir in Bath. You require a British Waterways Licence for all this section. B.C.U. Membership includes the Licence and it is advisable to have your B.C.U. card with you in case of enquiry.
Although busy the river has plenty to offer with a variety of species of birds, mammals, fish and flowers. Public houses are situated at convenient distances where you may wish to quench your thirst or replenish those lost calories.
PLEASE DO NOT SLOSH IN STILL IN YOUR WET GEAR.
If you wish to paddle through Bath it is advisable to either paddle down from further upstream or to get afloat at Locksbrook lock gates (GR 725 648).
You can paddle upstream to Pulteney Weir. If you wish to continue upstream portage is essential. It is on the R/H Island (up the boat rollers/slope/steps) DO NOT approach the horseshoe weir as this area has a strong holding effect created by converging currents below the weir.
To go downstream put in at Locksbrook below the lock gates. DO NOT approach the AUTOMATIC SLUICE GATES on your left as they are closed in by walls and are very DANGEROUS.
At NEWBRIDGE (1km. down stream) is another access point to the river from the A4 road bridge. Steps from the bridge lead to the towpath upstream of The Boathouse public house.
From NEWBRIDGE to SHALLOWS WEIR (Saltford) is approx. 4km.
Following a 1km straight on the river are situated the Rowing Club and Griffon Canoe Club buildings. The Waterside public house and Marina are on the left hand bank above the SHALLOWS WEIR. Portage is on the R/H side by the lock gates. The weir can be shot by experienced paddlers in several places when the conditions are good. Inspect from the R/H bank before any attempt to do so.
IF IN DOUBT DON'T.
150m below the weir on the L/H bank is an access area at Saltford (GR 687 673) where there is a small carpark. This is the most used section of the river.
Please be considerate to other users and local inhabitants.
From SHALLOWS WEIR to the Jolly Sailor public house and weir is approx. 1.5km, the lower part of this section is used by the Saltford Sailing Club.
PLEASE GIVE WAY TO SAIL.
The portage at the Jolly Sailor lock is on the L/H side of the lock gates. This weir is shootable when conditions are right. Inspect the weir from the lock gate island before any attempt is made.
IF IN DOUBT DON'T.
The Jolly Sailor public house is alongside the lock.
From the Jolly Sailor to SWINFORD WEIR is approx 1km. There is no access to the weir from any public roads. Portage is on the L/H side of the lock gates.
NO ATTEMPT MUST BE MADE TO SHOOT THIS WEIR.
SWINFORD WEIR to KEYNSHAM WEIR is approx. 3.5km.
DO NOT SHOOT KEYNSHAM WEIR.
Turn right into the lock gate cut before you get to the weir passing the Marina entrance on your right and the Lock Keeper public house and island on your left. Portage is by the lock gates. Access can be gained from the A.4175 road (GS 660 690)
From KEYNSHAM WEIR to HANHAM WEIR is approx. 3km.
The river takes two large loops around the chocolate factory and its grounds. As you approach the weir you will see the Chequers Inn on the right and the entrance to the lock on the left - portage is on the L/H side through the lock gates. The drop on this weir is usually very small and can be shot without too much difficulty. Inspect the weir first from the river.
IF IN ANY DOUBT DON'T.
Do not use the slipway or carpark frontage as a means of access as this is the private property of the Chequers Inn.
HANHAM LOCK to NETHAM WEIR and lock is approx 4.5km.
The river now enters a steep sided wooded valley. BE AWARE on extremely high tides this stretch of the river becomes tidal. One minor road runs alongside the river at Crews Hole on the R/H side. From this point onwards there is very little opportunity to leave the river before reaching Netham lock (GR 616 728)
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOOT NETHAM WEIR. which is just beyond the arched concrete road bridge.
IT IS NOT ADVISABLE to use the river below Netham weir as it has a huge tidal range with very strong currents and at low tide leaves extensive mud banks making access if not totally impossible, extremely hazardous and horribly messy!. On the falling tide you could be stranded and unable to get out and needing emergency services. With the commercial traffic on this section the river now becomes a sea canoeing discipline.
The course of entry to the City of Bristol is to turn right above the road bridge and weir into NETHAM lock and enter the docks by the Feeder Canal. If the lock gates are closed you can portage on the R/H bank but BEWARE of heavy road traffic near the bridge over the lock. You can paddle all the way to Cumberland Basin at the sea going end of the Docks. For this section you will need a Bristol Docks Licence which can be obtained at the Harbour Masters Office at the Underfall Yard near The Cottage public house.
There is a slipway at the Marina with public access from Hanover Place off Cumberland Road (GR 578 723) and at the end of the docks a slipway and pontoons at the Underfall Yard with access to a carpark off Cumberland Road (GR 572 721). This is also the home of Bristol Canoe Club.
PLEASE NOTE after leaving the Feeder Canal the dock walls are high and there are few places you can get ashore until passing the S.S. Great Britain.
The River Avon and Bristol City Docks are very popular with many users especially in the summer months. You may encounter cruising boats, narrow boats, rowing boats and skiffs, sailing dinghies, ferries, windsurfers, anglers and ramblers and other canoeists. All these activities plus the Environment Agency and B.W.W. have representatives on the River Avon Users Consultative Committee which meets regularly to discuss problems and developments.
3.5km Pulteney Weir to Locksbrook
4.5km Locksbrook to Shallows Weir
(Saltford)
1.5km Shallows Weir to Jolly Sailor Weir
1.0km Jolly Sailor
Weir to Swinford Weir
3.5km Swinford Weir to Keynsham Weir
3.0km
Keynsham Weir to Hanham Weir
4.5km Hanham Weir to Netham Weir
5.5km
Netham Weir to Cumberland Basin
B.C.U. Local Access Officer:
Alan Gallop
12 Broadcroft
Chew
Magna
Bristol
BS18 8QG
Tel: 01275 333062