Stratford-upon-Avon to Portishead (6 nights) Monday 05 June 2023

Stratford-upon-Avon

Welcome aboard! The mighty River Severn is Britain’s longest river. It runs for 220 miles from the Welsh mountains, through the beautiful Shropshire and Worcestershire countryside and down to the flatlands of the Severn estuary. The Severn truly has something for everyone: historic cities, delightful scenery, cosy pubs, stunning cathedrals and so much more. It was once a busy inland port, which grew up around the point where the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal joins the River Severn. Today the restored canal basins are a great place to discover the history of the Avon River and the River Severn.

Leaving the town of Stratford-upon-Avon we cruise for most of the day to the Robert Aickman Lock, on the doorstop of Evesham.

From here after a good breakfast we head towards Tewkesbury. We overnight at Tewkesbury, known for its unique location at the junction – or confluence – of two rivers. The picturesque River Avon, often referred to as ‘Shakespeare’s Avon’ and the mighty River Severn. Perhaps most famous for its mustard, Shakespeare’s Falstaff has the line “Wit as thick as Tewkesbury mustard”, other major industries over the years in Tewkesbury include brewing and malting, pin making and the framework knitting of stockings. With the rivers to transport goods in and out of the town, Tewkesbury was a thriving commercial hub. One of the town’s entrances over the River Severn is the impressive Mythe Bridge designed by Thomas Telford. A cast iron structure with a 170-foot span, the bridge opened to traffic in 1826.

Back on the Severn and onwards to Gloucester we pass Deerhurst and Apperley, two tiny villages to the left of the canal. Cruising on, you may catch a glimpse of the spire of Ashleworth Church to your right, as you pass nearby the small village. Our overnight at Gloucester will give you a chance to visit the historic cathedral and explore the charming streets of this ancient city. At Gloucester Docks, you can get a real sense of the canal’s cargo-carrying heritage. Listed warehouses have been converted into shops and leisure facilities and the marina is still busy with boats. The National Waterways Museum Gloucester tells the story of the canal and has a fascinating collection of historic boats.

The next morning takes us to Sharpness Barge Arm, a major waterways place on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal between Sharpness Junction and Saul Junction. The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was once the broadest and deepest in the world. Even today, it stands out from other navigations because of its sheer scale and impressive engineering.

Our last day’s cruise with the assistance of a pilot will take us from Sharpness Barge Arm to Portishead.

To book please select the required number of cabins below. Our three cabins are identical and can all be configured as either twin or double bedded rooms according to your preference.

Please refer to our terms and conditions before booking. If you have any questions or specific requirements please contact us.

*Price based on 2 people sharing a twin/double cabin. Cabins booked for 1 person incur a single occupancy supplement of 50%.