The Guide To The River Avon
Course
The Avon then flows through Christchurch, continuing past the remains of the Roman city of Sorviodunum to the well-preserved village of Durrington. From Durrington, it snakes on undulating lowland across Teffont Evias to Amesbury. The Wilts & Berks Canal then joins the river at Pewsey, before it heads towards the cathedral city of Salisbury. In total, 100 miles (160 km) of the Avon's length is in Wiltshire, and 97 miles (156 km) are in southern England.
The Avon then flows through a long steep gorge in the Wiltshire landscape, which is known as the Avon Gorge, This Is Hampshire (thisishampshire.co.uk). From Durrington the river falls at a rate of nearly 5 metres per kilometre (1. 7 ft/mi) to Salisbury. At this point it emerges from its limestone gorge and becomes tidal, although high spring tides often top the weir gates upstream of Fisherton Bridge. The Avon Valley between Salisbury and Christchurch is a classic example of a Syncline valley.
The combined Avon then flows south and loops around Durrington Walls and Old Sarum. It then emerges from between a low chalk cliff and a beach at Avonmouth, just a few miles from the English Channel at an elevation of 23 m above sea level. The alignment of the Avon towards its estuary has changed dramatically over the centuries. Southbroom Marsh is currently around 3 miles wide, and used to be at least twice as wide.
Designations
The Avon is designated as SSSI number: 4999, and is listed among the most important wildlife sites in Britain. In 1994 the Pillowell Valley was designated as part of an important nature reserve called Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs. These two SSSIs were joined by the Salisbury Plain in 1996 to create a large protected landscape that stretched across Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, and Hampshire. The Avon valley is an absolutely key feature within this protected landscape.
The Avon valley is a semi-natural valley of great scenic beauty, formed by the meandering course of the River Avon ( or Aburn), an important chalk-stream, over thousands of years. Its valley walls have been a source of strategic wealth to both the local private landholders and successive generations of public authorities charged with its maintenance and management. The Avon Valley is a low lying area approx 9 km long and 1. 5 km wide draining the low ridge of the Hampshire Downs.
It has been designated as a County Wildlife Site (also Local Nature Reserve) in recognition of its importance for wildlife. It was also one of the first sites in Hampshire to be designated under new Countryside. My first thought was to note the statement that "the designation included most of the tributaries of the Avon from Bickton Gauging Station downstream to Christchurch. " The designation is dated 26 March 1993. The River Avon between Christchurch and Pontrilas in Herefordshire is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Path
The Avon Valley Path is a 96 kilometre designated cycleway and walkway which follows the Avon River through the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula Districts in New Zealand. It starts at the Clickimin Covered Bridge (also known as the Stoney Creek Bridge) in Salisbury, then goes north to Rangiora. The path then continues along the east bank of the Ashley River to Kaikoura, via Amuri Bluff, then crosses on a ferry to the west bank, where it turns south via Ngai Tahu settlements at Te Puia Springs and again crosses on a ferry, ending at Port Levy.
The Avon Valley Path follows the river between Salisbury and Christchurch. The flat grade makes it suitable for biking, walking, and running. It begins on the northern edge of central Christchurch, from where it travels downstream through Upper Riccarton, Wigram, Rolleston and Bridge Creek before passing through Rangiora to finish in the suburb of Northwood. The Avon Valley Path is a 35 km walkway generally along the North Canterbury and South Marlborough bank of the River Avon that runs from Salisbury to Christchurch in New Zealand.
It is one of three riverside trails run by the Department of Conservation, the others being the Inland Annett and the Inland Waimakariri. The Avon Valley Path follows the Avon River between Salisbury and Christchurch, New Zealand. It is a popular cycleway and walking track with portions of it also being suitable for horse-riders and mountain bikers. The Avon Valley Path is a footpath from Salisbury in the north to Christchurch in the south. It follows the river of the same name, though passing through some of the towns or settlements on the river’s banks.
The Avon Valley Path is a short walk along the river between Christchurch and Salisbury in the South Island of New Zealand. It is around 15 km in length, and takes roughly 3 hours (one way) to complete. The training area is farmed during the winter but due to the extremely sandy soil, summer cultivation is not possible. If you want to travel along this beautiful path, a detailed map and guide can be purchased here.
From A Small Trickle To A Flowing Body Of Water
My name is Eveline, I'm a 22 year old Dutch student studying Food Marketing and Business in Bournemouth. One month ago I arrived at Brighton to begin my studies and enrolled in a course called Adventure Holidays, which we are now half way through. When the opportunity came up to spend a week at Canyoning in France through the University, I jumped at the chance! The trip would take us from Grenoble down to Briancon and various stops along the Gorge de Verdon route.
If you know the River Avon, then its most likely you will have been walking, canoeing or fishing along one of its many tributaries. However, if you are looking for a more significant experience that takes in the whole of this important river then allow me to introduce to you my own personal journey taking in the entirety of Wiltshire into Dorset's stunning New Forest and on to the ancient cathedral city of Christchurch. The River Avon in Dorset has played an important role in the development of Christchurch since it was first recorded in the 10th century.
Historically used for transport, watermills and trade, today the river can be enjoyed as a haven for wildlife or accessed by boat for fishing or leisurely trips. But it faces challenges with pollution and water flow affecting its environment and navigation. It starts with a small trickle. A trickle of thoughts, a trickle of ideas, a drip slowly evolving into a steady stream. It’s harder to see in the beginning; only in hindsight could we look back and pinpoint its origins.
