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{{Short description|River in the south of England}}
{{About|the river flowing through Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset|the small river in the New Forest|Avon Water, Hampshire{{!}}Avon Water|other rivers called Avon|River Avon (disambiguation){{!}}River Avon}}
{{coord|51.349|-1.948|display=title|region:GB-HAM_scale:50000}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox river
| name = River Avon
| name_etymology = [[Brittonic languages|Brittonic]] Celtic meaning river
| image = River Avon at Salisbury - geograph.org.uk - 31013.jpg
| image_size = 270
| image_caption = The River Avon in Salisbury
| map = Salisbury Avon Watershed.jpg
| map_size = 270
| map_caption = The River Avon watershed ([https://mghydro.com/watersheds/shared/91ADD0.html Interactive map])
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type2 = Country within the UK
| subdivision_name2 = [[England]]
| subdivision_type3 = Counties
| subdivision_name3 = [[Wiltshire]], [[Hampshire]], [[Dorset]]
| length = {{convert|96|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg =
| discharge1_max =
| source1 =
| source1_location = Vale of [[Pewsey]], [[Wiltshire]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|51.3765|-1.9523}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|124|m}}
| mouth = [[English Channel]]
| mouth_location = [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]], [[Dorset]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|50.7237|-1.7415}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m}}
| progression =
| basin_size =
| tributaries_left = [[River Bourne, Wiltshire|Bourne]], [[Linford Brook]], [[Nine Mile River, Wiltshire|Nine Mile River]]
| tributaries_right = [[River Nadder|Nadder]], [[River Ebble|Ebble]], [[Turmer Brook]], [[Sweatfords Water]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=10/51.0884/-1.4845|title = OpenStreetMap}}</ref>
| custom_label = Designation
| custom_data = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Avon Valley
| designation1_date = 2 February 1998
| designation1_number = 926<ref>{{Cite web|title=Avon Valley|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/926|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
| extra = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=7 |height=250 | stroke-width=1.5 |coord {{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}
The '''River Avon''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|v|ən}} {{respell|AY|vən}}) is in the south of England, rising in [[Wiltshire]], flowing through that county's city of [[Salisbury]] and then west [[Hampshire]], before reaching the [[English Channel]] through [[Christchurch Harbour]] in the [[Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole]] conurbation of [[Dorset]].
It is sometimes known as the '''Salisbury Avon''' or the '''Hampshire Avon''' to distinguish it from other rivers of the same name in Great Britain. It is one of the rivers in [[British Isles|Britain]] in which the phenomenon of [[anchor ice]] has been observed.<ref>{{cite book |first1=W.A. |last1=Hoodless |title=Christchurch Curiosities|year=2010|publisher=The History Press Ltd|isbn=978-0-7524-5670-6|page=29 }}</ref> The Avon is thought to contain more species of fish than any other river in Britain.<ref>{{cite book|first1=John|last1=Wright|title=Discover Dorset, Rivers and Streams|year=2003|publisher=Dovecote Press|___location=Wimborne, Dorset.|isbn=1-904349-10-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/riversstreams0000wrig/page/41 41]|url=https://archive.org/details/riversstreams0000wrig/page/41}}</ref> Long-farmed pastures and planted, arable fields line much of the valley; an indication of the wealth these brought to landowners is in ten large [[listed building|listed houses]] with statutorily recognised and protected parks. Many prehistoric sites and broader "landscapes" are found on either side of the river, the largest being the World Heritage Site zone of [[Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites]], followed by the [[Old Sarum]] knoll fortification and the Thornham Down prehistoric and medieval landscape.
==Etymology==
The river's name is a [[List of tautological place names|tautology]]: ''Avon'' is the [[Brythonic languages|Proto-Brythonic]] word meaning "river".
==
[[File:River Avon near Fordingbridge.jpg|thumb|The start of the lower half, near Fordingbridge]]
The Avon begins as two separate bodies of water. The western arm [[source (river)|rises]] to the east of [[Devizes]], draining the [[Vale of Pewsey]], and is joined by Etchilhampton Water which rises in the [[Bishops Cannings]] area and flows south past [[Etchilhampton]] and through [[Patney]].<ref name="west">{{cite web|title=Hampshire Avon (West)|url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB108043022370|access-date=12 April 2021|website=Catchment Data Explorer|publisher=Environment Agency}}</ref> The eastern arm rises at [[Easton Royal]], east of [[Pewsey]], and is joined by the Woodborough Stream which rises at [[Alton Priors]] and flows south through [[Woodborough, Wiltshire|Woodborough]] and [[North Newnton]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampshire Avon (East) and Woodborough Stream|url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB108043022410|access-date=12 April 2021|website=Catchment Data Explorer|publisher=Environment Agency}}</ref>
The two branches merge at [[Upavon]],<ref name="west" /> flowing southwards across [[Salisbury Plain]] through [[Durrington, Wiltshire|Durrington]], [[Amesbury]] and [[Salisbury]]. To the south of Salisbury the river enters the [[Hampshire Basin]], flowing along the western edge of the [[New Forest]] through [[Fordingbridge]] and [[Ringwood, Hampshire|Ringwood]], meeting up with the [[River Stour, Dorset|River Stour]] at [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]], to flow into [[Christchurch Harbour]]. The harbour opens into the [[English Channel]] past a cluster of small mouths of brooks from the New Forest and a broad sandbank, which is all built up as the [[Mudeford]] part of the harbour.
All the significant direct and indirect tributaries of the Avon, including the [[River Nadder|Nadder]], [[River Wylye|Wylye]], [[River Bourne, Wiltshire|Bourne]] and [[River Ebble|Ebble]], converge within a short distance around Salisbury.
A short distance north from the river's western source is [[Morgan's Hill]], which marks the hydrological [[triple divide]] of Great Britain, where rainfall drains into the English Channel (via this River Avon), the [[Atlantic Ocean]] (via the [[River Avon, Bristol|Bristol Avon]] and [[Severn Estuary]]) and the [[North Sea]] (via the [[River Kennet|Kennet]] and [[River Thames|Thames]]).
About half of the river is in Wiltshire; the rest is split between Hampshire and (since the [[Local Government Act 1972|1974 boundary changes]]) Dorset.
As two Avons drain parts of Wiltshire, the river is popularly known as the Hampshire Avon or the Salisbury Avon (and the other as the [[River Avon, Bristol|Bristol Avon]]).
== 17th-century navigation{{anchor|River Avon Navigation (Christchurch to New Sarum) Act 1664}} ==
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = River Avon Navigation (Christchurch to New Sarum) Act 1664
| type = Act
| parliament = Parliament of England
| long_title = An Act for making the River Avon navigable from Christ Church to the City of New Sarum.
| year = 1664
| citation = {{ubli|[[16 & 17 Cha. 2]]. c. 12|[[16 & 17 Cha. 2]]. c. ''11'' {{Small|Pr.}}}}
| territorial_extent = [[England and Wales]]
| royal_assent = 2 March 1665
| commencement = 24 November 1664{{efn|Start of session.}}
| repeal_date =
| amendments = [[Itchin Navigation Rates Act 1820]]
| status = Amended
| original_text = https://www.british-history.ac.uk/statutes-realm/vol5/pp568-569
| collapsed = yes
}}
[[File:Britford - Water Meadows.jpg|thumb|left|The 17th-century navigation channel near Britford is still in water]]
Construction of a [[Navigability|navigation]] from Salisbury to [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]] was authorised by the River Avon Navigation (Christchurch to New Sarum) Act 1664 ([[16 & 17 Cha. 2]]. c. 12). Work began in 1675 and the route was completed in 1684, but it fell out of use around 1715.<ref>{{HERR|mnumber=1031488|mname=Avon River Navigation|access-date=15 February 2022}}</ref> Canalised channels were dug to straighten sections of the river, including one through [[Britford]] parish just below Salisbury; a lock survives on this section near [[Longford Castle]], having been rebuilt in brick as a [[pound lock]] soon after the original [[flash lock]] was damaged by flooding in the early 18th century.<ref>{{HERR|mnumber=1011344|mname=Britford Lock|access-date=15 February 2022}}</ref>
==Paths==
The Pewsey Avon Trail follows much of the river from Pewsey to Salisbury, using pre-existing rights of way.
The [[Avon Valley Path]] follows the river between Salisbury and Christchurch.
==Rights of way==
[[Canoeists]] seeking lawful passage as high as Salisbury have attempted to invoke the 1644 Navigation Act in their favour.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6387319.stm | work=BBC News | title=1664 Law Could Prove Right To Row | date=23 February 2007}}</ref> However, the Act was subject to enabling works, most of which were never completed, hence the right is disputed. Responsibility for delivery was given to private undertakers in the names of Hodges, Bennett and Dennett, who were to fund the canalisation between the places. They were allowed to charge their investment at 10% interest rate and could take full commercial advantage, which tripartite agreements from 1684 and 1685 evidence. The [[House of Commons Journal]] of 31 January 1699 records that the freeholders, inhabitants and residents of Ibsley and Fordingbridge petitioned the House on the fact that they could not comply with the 1664 Act and were never likely to do so. The House sided with them and effectively declared its view of the law, the finality of which, lacking [[royal assent]], the [[Rights of Way in England and Wales|law of rights of way]] is unclear on but makes more likely the view that the Act became [[voidable contract|voidable]] as the works to canalise the Avon were never implemented. Indecisive court cases were brought in 1737 and 1772 to enforce the alleged but not exercised right (to benefit barge owners).<ref>{{cite journal|year=1970|title=The Salisbury Avon Navigation|journal=Industrial Archaeology|publisher=David & Charles|volume=VII|issue=2|pages=121–135|last1=Cross|first1=Donald Alfred Edgar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Material_for_the_History_of_Wiltshire_Canals#Salisbury_Avon_Navigation|title=Material for the History of Wiltshire Canals: Salisbury Avon Navigation|publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]|author=The National Archives|work=Your Archives|access-date=17 June 2010}}</ref>
==Landowner's houses with parkland==
[[File:Longford Castle.jpg|thumb|[[Longford Castle]] overlooks the river]]
[[File:Hale House - geograph.org.uk - 1524371.jpg|thumb|[[Hale Park]]]]
[[File:BreamoreHouse.jpg|thumb|[[Breamore House]]]]
The valley from north to south has the following houses with large parks and gardens, significantly funded in their original form by the rich, mixed agriculture from the little-wooded upper valley plains and sides:
*[[Conock Manor]], Chirton<ref>{{NHLE|num=1001229|desc=Conock Manor|access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref>
*[[Amesbury Abbey (house)|Amesbury Abbey]]<ref>{{NHLE|num=1000469|desc=Amesbury Abbey|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*[[Lake House]], Wilsford<ref>{{NHLE|num=1001237|desc=Lake House|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*Heale House, [[Middle Woodford]]<ref>{{NHLE|num=1001235|desc=Heale House|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*[[Wilton House]] (including orangery, loggietta, whispering seat, classical bridges, follies, columns, Holbein porch, [[James Wyatt]] architecture)<ref>{{NHLE|num=1000440|desc=Wilton House|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*[[Longford Castle]] (including two listed bridges over the river, parterre, statues of fame and Diana)<ref>{{NHLE|num=1000424|desc=Longford Castle|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*[[Trafalgar Park, Wiltshire|Trafalgar Park]], Downton (including chapel)<ref>{{NHLE|num=1001244|desc=Trafalgar House|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*[[Hale Park]] (includes lodge, barns and granaries)<ref>{{NHLE|num=1000298|desc=Hale Park|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*[[Breamore House]] (includes tower, and museum cottage)<ref>{{NHLE|num=1000329|desc=Breamore|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
* [[Somerley]] (includes salmon huts, farmhouses and extensive water meadows)<ref>{{NHLE|num=1350879|desc=Somerley House|access-date=31 October 2022|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
*[[Avon Tyrrell House]], Sopley (includes lodge and gazebo)<ref>{{NHLE|num=1001583|desc=Avon Tyrrell|access-date=11 March 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
==Scheduled monument landscapes==
{{see|Scheduled monument}}
The largest of this type is England's main [[World Heritage Site]] of this category, which includes [[Stonehenge]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1000097|desc=Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
Others include massive earthworks at [[Old Sarum]],<ref>{{NHLE|num=1015675|desc=Old Sarum|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> and across the larger, separate Thornham Down area.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1010219|desc=Thornham Down prehistoric and medieval landscapes|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
==Settlements==
===Wiltshire===
{{div col}}
{{col head|Upper Avon Valley}}
* [[Upavon]]
* [[Enford|East and West Chisenbury]]
* [[Enford]]
* [[Coombe, Enford, Wiltshire|Coombe]]
* [[Fittleton]]
* [[Fittleton|Haxton]]
* [[Netheravon]]
* [[Figheldean]]
* [[Milston]]
* [[Durrington, Wiltshire|Durrington]]
* [[Bulford]]
* [[Amesbury]]
{{col head|Woodford Valley}}
* [[West Amesbury]]
* [[Wilsford cum Lake]]
* [[Durnford, Wiltshire|Great Durnford]]
* [[Woodford, Wiltshire|The Woodfords]]
* [[Durnford, Wiltshire|Little Durnford]]
{{col head|Salisbury}}
* [[Stratford-sub-Castle]]
* [[Salisbury]]
{{col head|Wiltshire watermeadows}}
* [[Britford]]
* [[Bodenham, Wiltshire|Bodenham]]
* [[Charlton All Saints]]
* [[Downton, Wiltshire|Downton]]
{{div col end}}
===Hampshire===
{{div col}}
* [[Breamore]]
* [[Burgate, Hampshire|Burgate]]
* [[Fordingbridge]]
* [[Bickton]]
* [[Ibsley]]
* [[Ringwood, Hampshire|Ringwood]]
* [[Sopley]]
{{div col end}}
===Dorset===
{{div col}}
* [[St Ives, Dorset|St Ives]]
* [[Burton, Dorset|Burton]]
*[[Fairmile, Dorset|Fairmile]]
* [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]]
{{div col end}}
== Designations ==
In 1993 the Avon valley in Hampshire between [[Bickton]] (downstream of [[Fordingbridge]]) and [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]] was designated as a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI).<ref name="sssi">{{cite web|url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1006622&SiteName=avon&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&unitId=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea=|title=Designated SSSI Avon Valley Bickton to Christchurch|date=2017|publisher=Natural England}}</ref>
In 1996 almost the entire river, from [[Patney]] (Wiltshire) to Christchurch, together with its tributaries the [[River Wylye|Wylye]], [[River Nadder|Nadder]], [[River Bourne, Wiltshire|Bourne]] and Dockens Water, was designated as the [[River Avon System]] SSSI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=s2000183|title=SSSI detail: River Avon System|website=Natural England|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref>
==Conservation initiatives in the 2000s==
A four-year project called STREAM began in September 2005. This £1 million project was designed to benefit the habitats of species such as [[water-crowfoot]], [[Atlantic salmon]], [[brook lamprey]], [[sea lamprey]], [[European bullhead|bullhead]], [[Desmoulin's whorl snail]], [[gadwall]] and ''[[Cygnus columbianus]]'' (Berwick's swan).<ref>[http://www.streamlife.org.uk/ Stream project website]</ref> A sister project called Living River ran from 2006 to 2010, aiming to providing better access and recreation, as well as aid biodiversity.<ref>[http://www.livingriver.org.uk Living River Project Website]</ref> Both these projects were shortlisted for the 2009 [http://www.riverfoundation.org.au/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Thiess International Riverprize], competing against four other projects: the [[Yellow River]] in China, [[Lake Simcoe]] in Canada, the [[Polochic River|Polochic]] Basin in Guatemala and the Lower [[Owens River]] in the USA. The prize for 2009 was awarded to Lake Simcoe.<ref>[http://www.lsrca.on.ca/thiess/index.php 2009 International Theiss River''prize'']</ref>
==See also==
{{portal|Hampshire}}
*Other [[River Avon (disambiguation)|Rivers Avon]]
*[[Rivers of the United Kingdom]]
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{SSSIs Wilts biological}}
{{SSSIs Hampshire biological}}
{{Dorset}}
{{Christchurch, Dorset}}
{{Hydrology of Hampshire}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Rivers of Dorset]]
[[
[[Category:Rivers of Wiltshire]]
[[Category:Nature Conservation Review sites]]
[[Category:Rivers of Christchurch, Dorset]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in England]]
[[Category:Stour catchment|Avon]]
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