I choose this as my first, and I think at the moment my favourite ring. probably because I spent many of my formative years in it, and I do mean 'in it', my mother threatend every time I used go out to keep away from the canal, who listens to Mothers!
But that aside I know that Stratford upon Avon is the second most visited place in the UK second only to London.
It is obvious that the cruise being circular you can begin anywhere around the route, as this is an independent site I will not be recommending any particular hire company, if you wish to contact me with a view to starting at a prefered place I can let you know the places where you can rent a boat from.
The river Avon is favorite navigation, the river rises at Naseby in Northamtonshire, this is where the battle of Naesby was fought, probably the decisive battle of the Civil War, you cannot escape history if you travel on the rivers.
The river is only navigable from Stratford to Tewkesbury.
46 miles with 5 locks, not easy to work, don't expect an easy time on this river, on boats you should take care at all times but particularly when on rivers.
Heavy rain storms a long way from the area you are in can cause the rivers to rise rapidly and without warning, at these times try to find somewhere to moor-up and wait for the water to abate, the problems are, a reduced head room under bridges, and strong cross currents at the site of weirs.
I will attempt to give you some idea of what you can see no the different waterways but when you have made you choise I would suggest you borrow buy or steal a Nicholsons Guide to the area you ahve selected, these wil give you much more local information then I can on this site.
I will list for you places I find of interest on the River Avon,
Stratford-uopn-Avon, a trip on the open topped bus is not to be missed, you join the bus anywhere in the Town but its easier from the stops across from the basin in the front of ther Pub the 'Pen & Parchment'. Stratford is the best place to buy you gifts from, good theatre's, restaurants and shop can be found here, probably the best on the whole ring.
Going down river the next place of note is Welford-on-Avon, 2 good pubs here.
Bidford on Avon, 3 pubs and a supermarket, all the pubs do meals, because these can can be subject change I will not recommend any pub on this site, and on the subject of 'Beer' there is no bad beer, its just that 'some are better than others'. It is said that Shakespeare refered to this village as 'Drunken Bidford'
There are other pubs and restaurants along the river, too many to mention but you will know them by there mooring signs, but I will mention the 'Bridge Inn' at Offenham, just to encourge you to stop. This village was once the Headquarters of Offa, King of Mercia, this village is one of just a few that retain its original Maypoles. If you get the opportunity to see a Maypole Dance do so, its lovely, performed on the 1st of May every year.
The next large town we come to is Evesham, plenty of history to be found here as are shops and supermarkets plus a market on market days.
Fladbury is next with its fine mill and weir, the lock is here and a ferry if you wish to go into the village to the pub. You must think this river is al 'Beer and Boating' it does have some fine scenery as well, you are close to the Cotwolds and the villages along the banks are all worth a visit, mostly 'Black & White' all worth a photo, but you will find most of the moorings are private.
You can find some mooring at Wyre, in the weir stream and by arrangement at the restaurants and pubs, what would we do without them, (men call it Ale, but to the God's it was BEER).
Pershore, I have a soft spot for this little town, one of its pubs brews its own beer, you should be able to find a beer you like here, if you twist my arm I might tell you which one it is.
Careful when leaving this town, the bridges are not easy to navigate.
To the east is Bredon Hill and the village of Eckington comes before the the red sandstone bridge carrying the road to the village. Strensham Lock is the next item of interest with some moorings, a good long walk to the village with not a lot there when you arrive.
Next is the village of Bredon situated high on the bank with a flood plane on the opposte side and the bridge carring the M5 motorway, next comes Twyning with limited mooring, after this we come to the end of the Avon at Tewkesbury with plenty of moorings.
A super historic town which you must visit over the centurys everything has happened here and there are every type of shop you could wish for.
From here we enter the River Severn via the Avon Lock this a mechanised lock with resident keeper.