River Avon (Warwickshire)

(all locations are listed as though travelling from Stratford to Tewkesbury)

Pubs & Restaurants

Location What's there Comments Date
Bidford Bridge Frog (nee Frog & Bulrush) pub. Moorings at the bottom of the pub garden. Pub's OK following a refurb but nothing special.  May 2008 (CA)
Pershore. opposite Pershore lock Brandy Cask

Excellent pub selling home brewed ales plus food. The pub has its own mooring opposite Pershore lock which needs to be reserved in advance (it's a fair walk to the pub from the recreation ground moorings).  May 2008 (CA)
Offenham Bridge Inn Pleasant pub and good food, moorings for 1 or 2 boats May 2008 (CA)
Tewkesbury Great Grandfathers Traditional English cooking, reasonable value. Also Abbey refectory and Abbey Tea Rooms look good. May 2004 (CH)
Tewkesbury, nr. Cross Berkeley Arms Fine old medieval pub with good beer and good food - staff are a little eccentric (in a nice way) May 2008 (CA)
Shopping & Facilities
Evesham   Decent selection of shops  May 2008 (CA)
Pershore Co-op   May 2004 (CH)
Tewkesbury Shops Plenty of good quality shops including a deli and a M&S. May 2008 (CA)
Good & Bad Moorings
Stratford, opposite RSC   These moorings are much quieter than Bancroft Basin, pleasant location, good for spotting thespians across river (and swans !). May 2008 (CA)
Bidford Bridge, recreation ground Water Looks like a good overnight mooring May 2004 (CH)
Bidford Bridge, moorings at the bottom of the garden of the Frog (nee Frog & Bulrush) pub.   These public moorings (across river from rec. ground) are handy for the pub

May 2008 (CA)
Evesham   Extensive moorings alongside Workman Gardens. Rubbish disposal (+ water) at south end of moorings. May 2008 (CA)
Pershore, recreation ground   Handy for swimming pool. Also an Abbey. May 2004 (CH)
Eckington Bridge

  Pretty, but noise from traffic and late night youths on bridge. May 2004 (CH)
  Room for 2 boats in pleasant spot alongside picnic spot for car borne trippers May 2008 (CA)
Tewkesbury, Avon lock   If you have to moor beyond the lock beware that winding just after the lock may be dangerous (stream pulls boat against bridge) - either hold front of boat with rope while winding or don't wind, just reverse out. There's a £3 fee (payable to lock keeper) for mooring anywhere near lock May 2008 (CA)
Navigation Notes
River Avon licence   2 week licence for Upper & Lower Avon costs £44. 2 weeks is minimum available for a complete passage. May 2004 (CH)
Avon locks   Some locks are fierce when travelling upstream and fore and aft ropes really are needed. Although technically also required downstream many just use a centre rope (unless being watched by an "official") May 2008 (CA)
Evesham lock   When approaching from upstream try to use right hand side lock moorings as those on left are in the weir stream. May 2008 (CA)