River Severn

Quick Facts

• River Severn (navigable): approximately 42 miles from Stourport to Gloucester, 6 large manned locks
• River Avon (Warwickshire): approximately 46 miles from Tewkesbury (Severn confluence) to Alveston (above Stratford-upon-Avon), 17 locks
• Droitwich Canals (Barge Canal + Junction Canal): approximately 7 miles, 16 locks; reopened 2011
• Connects: Severn — Stourport (junction with the Staffs & Worcs), Worcester (junction with the Worcester & Birmingham), Tewkesbury (Avon junction), Sharpness (Gloucester & Sharpness Canal). Avon — Tewkesbury → Evesham → Stratford-upon-Avon (junction with the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal). Droitwich — Hawford on the Severn → Hanbury Wharf on the Worcester & Birmingham.
• Build period & engineer: Severn navigation improved progressively from medieval times; Avon early 17th century (William Sandys); Droitwich opened 1771, reopened 2011 after restoration
• Boat dimensions: Severn — broad, max headroom 20 ft 3 in at Worcester Bridge, max draught 6 ft 1 in. Avon — broad, max length approximately 70 ft, beam 13 ft 6 in. Droitwich — broad, max 72 ft by 14 ft (Barge Canal) and 72 ft by 7 ft (Junction Canal locks).
• Typical cruise time: 4–6 days for the "Avon Ring" combination

What's it like to cruise?

The combination forms the southern half of the Avon Ring (with the Worcester & Birmingham and Stratford canals). The Severn is wide, fast, and impressive — proper river cruising with big manned locks and the prospect of strong flow after rain. The Avon is gentler, with old stone weir-side locks (some restored, some characterful), passing through Pershore and Evesham. The Droitwich Canals are short, quiet and freshly restored — they cut a much shorter route between the Severn and the W&B than going via Worcester.

Highlights along the route

• Tewkesbury — the medieval town at the Severn-Avon confluence.
• Worcester — the canal-river junction with the cathedral and the racecourse moorings.
• Stratford-upon-Avon — the Avon terminus, Bancroft Basin, and onto the Stratford Canal.
• Evesham — abbey town with riverside meadows.
• Pershore — pretty Avon market town.
• Droitwich Spa — the salt-spa town with the restored barge basin.
• Diglis Basin and Locks — the dramatic Severn-canal junction at Worcester.

Connections & cruising rings

Severn connects the Staffs & Worcs (Stourport), Worcester & Birmingham (Worcester), Avon (Tewkesbury), Droitwich (Hawford) and Gloucester & Sharpness (Gloucester). Forms the Avon Ring (Severn + Avon + Stratford + W&B), the Stourport Ring (Severn + Staffs & Worcs + BCN + W&B) and the Droitwich Ring (Severn + Droitwich + W&B).

Suitable for

Confident boaters. The Severn requires river-craft awareness — strong stream after rain, large locks with substantial paddle gear, and fewer mooring options than canals. The Avon is gentler but still a river. Hire companies brief carefully and the routes are popular.

Practicalities

• Avon licence: separate licence from the Avon Navigation Trust, in addition to CRT.
• River conditions: check Severn levels before setting out — strong stream warnings close the river to pleasure craft.
• Water and elsan: Stourport, Worcester, Tewkesbury, Evesham, Stratford, Droitwich.
• Mobile signal: good throughout.
• Pump-out: at the major marinas and basins.

Best time to cruise

May to September. After-rain Severn closures are common in autumn and spring. Stratford and Tewkesbury are at their best in early summer.