The Avon is a river in England. It flows through the counties of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in the Midlands. In Britain it is also known as the Upper Avon, Warwickshire Avon or Shakespeare’s Avon. After Stratford-upon-Avon, through which it flows and which was the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare. The river begins in Northamptonshire by Naseby village, 20 km north of Northampton and 25 km southeast of Leicester. It flows west through Rugby. It flows southwest via Stratford and Evesham, joining the Severn at Tewkesbury with the Stratford Canal. The river, with its numerous weirs and locks, is navigable from Stratford downwards and very popular with tourists. The total length of the river is 154 km. Avon: 4 rivers in England, 3 in Scotland, 2 in Canada, 5 in Australia, 1 in New Zealand.
Proposals to extend upstream navigation to Grand Union Canal were considered in 1974. Severn Trent Water Authority carried out a survey, partly funded by Inland Waterways Association. The plan aimed to open up a previously unnavigable river stretch. However, landowners at Warwick Castle and Charlecote Park opposed the proposal. They attempted to claim the river as private property, despite the 1636 Order in Council.
