River Avon, Hampshire

This article is about the river flowing through Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset. For the small river in the New Forest, see Avon Water. For other rivers called Avon, see River Avon.

51°20′56″N 1°56′53″W / 51.349°N 1.948°W / 51.349; -1.948

River Avon
The River Avon in Salisbury
The River Avon watershed (Interactive map)
EtymologyBrittonic Celtic meaning river
Location
CountryUnited Kingdom
Country within the UKEngland
CountiesWiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationVale of Pewsey, Wiltshire
 • coordinates51°20′56″N 1°56′53″W / 51.349°N 1.948°W / 51.349; -1.948
 • elevation124 metres (407 ft)
MouthEnglish Channel
 • location
Christchurch, Dorset
 • coordinates
51°20′56″N 1°56′53″W / 51.349°N 1.948°W / 51.349; -1.948
 • elevation
0 metres (0 ft)
Length96 km (60 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftBourne, Linford Brook, Nine Mile River
 • rightNadder, Ebble, Turmer Brook, Sweatfords Water[1]
Designation
Official nameAvon Valley
Designated2 February 1998
Reference no.926[2]
Map

The River Avon (/ˈeɪvən/ 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 namesakes across Great Britain. It is one of the rivers in Britain in which the phenomenon of anchor ice has been observed.[3] The Avon is thought to contain more species of fish than any other river in Britain.[4] 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 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 tautology: Avon is the Proto-Brythonic word meaning "river".

Course

The start of the lower half, near Fordingbridge

The Avon begins as two separate bodies of water. The western arm 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.[5] 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 and North Newnton.[6]

The two branches merge at Upavon,[5] flowing southwards across Salisbury Plain through 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, meeting up with the River Stour at 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 Nadder, Wylye, Bourne and 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 Bristol Avon and Severn Estuary) and the North Sea (via the Kennet and Thames).

About half of the river is in Wiltshire; the rest is split between Hampshire and (since the 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 Bristol Avon).

17th-century navigation

River Avon Navigation (Christchurch to New Sarum) Act 1664
Act of Parliament
Parliament of England
Long titleAn Act for making the River Avon navigable from Christ Church to the City of New Sarum.
Citation16 & 17 Cha. 2. c. 12
Dates
Royal assent2 March 1665
Other legislation
Amended byItchin Navigation Rates Act 1820
Text of statute as originally enacted
The 17th-century navigation channel near Britford is still in water

Construction of a navigation from Salisbury to 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.[7] 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.[8]

Path

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.[9] 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 law of rights of way is unclear on but makes more likely the view that the Act became 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).[10][11]

Landowner's houses with parkland

Longford Castle overlooks the river
Hale Park
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:

Scheduled monument landscapes

Further information: Scheduled monument

The largest of this type is England's main World Heritage Site of this category, which includes Stonehenge.[23]

Others include massive earthworks at Old Sarum,[24] and across the larger, separate Thornham Down area.[25]

Settlements

Wiltshire

Upper Avon Valley

Woodford Valley

Salisbury

Wiltshire watermeadows

Hampshire

Dorset

Designations

In 1993 the Avon valley in Hampshire between Bickton (downstream of Fordingbridge) and Christchurch was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).[26]

In 1996 almost the entire river, from Patney (Wiltshire) to Christchurch, together with its tributaries the Wylye, Nadder, Bourne and Dockens Water, was designated as the River Avon System SSSI.[27]

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, bullhead, Desmoulin's whorl snail, gadwall and Cygnus columbianus (Berwick's swan).[28] A sister project called Living River ran from 2006 to 2010, aiming to providing better access and recreation, as well as aid biodiversity.[29] Both these projects were shortlisted for the 2009 Thiess International Riverprize, competing against four other projects: the Yellow River in China, Lake Simcoe in Canada, the Polochic Basin in Guatemala and the Lower Owens River in the USA. The prize for 2009 was awarded to Lake Simcoe.[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ "OpenStreetMap".
  2. ^ "Avon Valley". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. ^ Hoodless, W.A. (2010). Christchurch Curiosities. The History Press Ltd. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-7524-5670-6.
  4. ^ Wright, John (2003). Discover Dorset, Rivers and Streams. Wimborne, Dorset.: Dovecote Press. p. 41. ISBN 1-904349-10-2.
  5. ^ a b "Hampshire Avon (West)". Catchment Data Explorer. Environment Agency. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Hampshire Avon (East) and Woodborough Stream". Catchment Data Explorer. Environment Agency. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Avon River Navigation (1031488)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  8. ^ Historic England. "Britford Lock (1011344)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  9. ^ "1664 Law Could Prove Right To Row". BBC News. 23 February 2007.
  10. ^ Cross, Donald Alfred Edgar (1970). "The Salisbury Avon Navigation". Industrial Archaeology. VII (2). David & Charles: 121–135.
  11. ^ The National Archives. "Material for the History of Wiltshire Canals: Salisbury Avon Navigation". Your Archives. The National Archives. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  12. ^ Historic England. "Conock Manor (1001229)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  13. ^ Historic England. "Amesbury Abbey (1000469)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  14. ^ Historic England. "Lake House (1001237)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  15. ^ Historic England. "Heale House (1001235)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  16. ^ Historic England. "Wilton House (1000440)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  17. ^ Historic England. "Longford Castle (1000424)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  18. ^ Historic England. "Trafalgar House (1001244)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  19. ^ Historic England. "Hale Park (1000298)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  20. ^ Historic England. "Breamore (1000329)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  21. ^ Historic England. "Somerley House (1350879)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  22. ^ Historic England. "Avon Tyrrell (1001583)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  23. ^ Historic England. "Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (1000097)". National Heritage List for England.
  24. ^ Historic England. "Old Sarum (1015675)". National Heritage List for England.
  25. ^ Historic England. "Thornham Down prehistoric and medieval landscapes (1010219)". National Heritage List for England.
  26. ^ "Designated SSSI Avon Valley Bickton to Christchurch". Natural England. 2017.
  27. ^ "SSSI detail: River Avon System". Natural England. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  28. ^ Stream project website
  29. ^ Living River Project Website
  30. ^ 2009 International Theiss Riverprize

Media related to River Avon, Hampshire at Wikimedia Commons

Read other articles:

Kala Kunanti

Kala KunantiAlbum studio karya Cindy Fatika SariDirilis2 November 2002GenreRock alternatifelektronik rockLabelAquarius MusikindoProduserIso Eddy HimawarsoKronologi Cindy Fatika Sari Kala Kunanti (2002) A Gift From Heaven (2005)A Gift From Heaven2005 Kala Kunanti adalah album solo perdana milik mantan vokalis Gallery sekaligus aktris, Cindy Fatika Sari. Dirilis tahun 2002. Lagu utamanya di album ini ialah Bila Waktu Bicara.[1] Daftar lagu Aku Ingin Bila Waktu Bicara (ft. Tengku Fir...

 

 

羅生門 (電影)

本條目存在以下問題，請協助改善本條目或在討論頁針對議題發表看法。 此條目需要补充更多来源。 (2018年3月17日)请协助補充多方面可靠来源以改善这篇条目，无法查证的内容可能會因為异议提出而被移除。致使用者：请搜索一下条目的标题（来源搜索：羅生門 (電影) — 网页、新闻、书籍、学术、图像），以检查网络上是否存在该主题的更多可靠来源（判定指引）。 �...

 

 

Europe à deux vitesses

Cet article est une ébauche concernant l’Union européenne. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. Les niveaux d'intégration européenne. Les expressions Europe à deux vitesses, à plusieurs vitesses, à la carte ou encore à géométrie variable, désignent des scénarios d'intégration différentielle des États membres de l'Union européenne aux grands projets européens[1] tels que le marché i...

Biomarker

Indicator of a biological state or condition For other uses, see Biomarker (disambiguation). In biomedical contexts, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are often measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissues[1] to examine normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention.[2] Biomarkers are used in many scientific fields. Medicine Ma...

 

 

Queen Rania of Jordan

Queen of Jordan since 1999 RaniaThe Queen in 2018Queen of JordanTenure7 February 1999 – presentProclamation22 March 1999PredecessorQueen NoorBornRania Al-Yassin (1970-08-31) 31 August 1970 (age 53)Kuwait City, KuwaitSpouse Abdullah II of Jordan ​ ​(m. 1993)​Issue Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan Princess Iman Princess Salma Prince Hashem Regnal nameRania Al AbdullahFatherFaisal Al-YassinMotherIlham YassinSignature Rania Al Abdullah[1] (Arabic: ...

 

 

Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1987

Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles was the number one song of 1987. Madonna had four songs on the Year-End Hot 100, the most of any artist in 1987. This is a list of Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 songs of 1987.[1][2] No. Title Artist(s) 1 Walk Like An Egyptian The Bangles 2 Alone Heart 3 Shake You Down Gregory Abbott 4 I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) Whitney Houston 5 Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now Starship 6 C'est La Vie Robbie Nevil 7 Here I Go Again Whitesnake...

Serge Roullet

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada Desember 2023. Serge RoulletLahir(1926-07-06)6 Juli 1926Bordeaux, PrancisMeninggal14 Februari 2023(2023-02-14) (umur 96)PekerjaanSutradara, penulis naskahTahun aktif1959–2023 Serge Roullet (6 Juli 1926 – 14 Februari 2023) adalah seorang s...

 

 

Roger Freed

American baseball player Baseball player Roger FreedRight fielderBorn: (1946-06-02)June 2, 1946Los Angeles, California, U.S.Died: January 9, 1996(1996-01-09) (aged 49)Chino, California, U.S.Batted: RightThrew: RightMLB debutSeptember 18, 1970, for the Baltimore OriolesLast MLB appearanceSeptember 28, 1979, for the St. Louis CardinalsMLB statisticsBatting average.245Home runs22Runs batted in109 Teams Baltimore Orioles (1970) Philadelphia Phillies (1971–1972...

 

 

Spielvereinigung Unterhaching 2008-2009

Voce principale: Spielvereinigung Unterhaching. Spielvereinigung UnterhachingStagione 2008-2009Sport calcio Squadra Unterhaching Allenatore Ralph Hasenhüttl All. in seconda Matthias Lust 3. Liga4º posto Coppa di GermaniaPrimo turno Maggiori presenzeCampionato: Fink, Kampa (38)Totale: Fink, Kampa (39) Miglior marcatoreCampionato: Fink (21)Totale: Fink (21) StadioGenerali Sportpark Maggior numero di spettatori5 200 vs. Wuppertal Minor numero di spettatori1 500 vs. Stoccarda II...

Zastava M91

Designated marksman rifle Zastava M91 Zastava M91TypeDesignated marksman riflePlace of originSerbia and MontenegroService historyIn service1992–presentUsed bySee UsersWarsYugoslav Wars[1]Syrian Civil WarYemeni Civil War (2015–present)Production historyDesignerZastava ArmsDesigned1991ManufacturerZastava ArmsSpecificationsMass5.15 kg (11.4 lb) (with optical sight)Length1,195 mm (47.05 in)Barrel length620 mm (24.41 in)Cartridge7....

 

 

Associazione Calcio Torino 1953-1954

Voce principale: Torino Football Club. AC TorinoStagione 1953-1954Sport calcio Squadra Torino Direttore Tecnico Jesse Carver[1], poi Annibale Frossi Allenatore Oberdan Ussello[1], poi Luigi Miconi PresidenteComitato di reggenza[2] Serie A9º Maggiori presenzeCampionato: Farina (34) Miglior marcatoreCampionato: Buhtz (11) StadioFiladelfia 1952-1953 1954-1955 Si invita a seguire il modello di voce Questa voce raccoglie le informazioni riguardanti l'Associazione Cal...

 

 

Putri Bumi Indonesia

Artikel ini bukan mengenai Miss Earth Indonesia, Putri Nusantara, Puteri Indonesia, atau Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan. Putri Bumi IndonesiaTanggal pendirian2021 2013-2020 sebagai Miss Earth Indonesia 2007-2010 sebagai Miss Indonesia EarthTipeKontes kecantikanKantor pusatJakartaLokasi IndonesiaJumlah anggota Miss Environment InternationalBahasa resmi Bahasa IndonesiaPresidenJohnnie SugiartoOrganisasi indukEl John Pageants (dibawah naungan Yayasan El John Indonesia)Situs webSitus web resmi ...

Генуции

Генуциилат. Genuciiлат. gens Genucia Ветви рода Авгурин, Авентинен, Клепсина Подданство Древний Рим Гражданская деятельность консулы, военный трибун с консульской властью, децимвир, народные трибуны Военная деятельность полководцы, военные трибуны Религиозная деятельност...

 

 

West End

Pour les articles homonymes, voir West End (homonymie). West End Cinéma et casino dans West End en 2007. Administration Pays Royaume-Uni Nation constitutiveRégionComtéComté cérémonial AngleterreGrand LondresGrand LondresGrand Londres Comté traditionnel Middlesex Borough Westminster Parlement européen Londres Bureau receveur LONDON Préfixe d'appel 020 Géographie Coordonnées 51° 30′ 48″ nord, 0° 07′ 43″ ouest Divers Services : Police Pomp...

 

 

Primera División 2016 (Argentina)

Questa voce o sezione sull'argomento Competizioni calcistiche non è ancora formattata secondo gli standard. Commento: Si invita a seguire il modello di voce Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Primera División 2016Campeonato de Primera División 2016 Competizione Primera División (Argentina) Sport Calcio Edizione 87ª Organizzatore AFA Date dal 5 febbraio 2016al 29 maggio 2016 Luogo  Argentina ...

Flaviviridae

Flaviviridae Komposisi genom virus ICTVpositive-sense single-stranded RNA virus TaksonomiSuperdomainBiotaDomainVirusFamiliFlaviviridae Tata namaDinamakan berdasarkanFlavivirus Genus Hepacivirus Flavivirus Pegivirus Pestivirus lbs Flaviviridae adalah famili virus yang menyebar melalui vektor artropoda (terutama nyamuk). Famili ini mendapat namanya dari virus demam kuning, salah satu jenis dari virus Flaviviridae; flavus (bahasa Latin) yang berarti kuning. Flaviviridae meliputi genus: Genus Hep...

 

 

Luigi De Canio

Luigi De Canio Informasi pribadiTanggal lahir 26 September 1957 (umur 66)Tempat lahir Matera, ItaliaPosisi bermain BekKarier senior*Tahun Tim Tampil (Gol)1975–1977 Matera 46 (0)1977–1978 Brindisi 32 (1)1978–1979 Matera 32 (0)1979–1981 Chieti 61 (0)1981 Salernitana 3 (0)1981–1986 Matera 141 (2)1986 Livorno 5 (1)1986–1987 Galatina Pro Italia 8 (0)1987–1989 Pisticci Kepelatihan1988–1993 Pisticci1993–1995 Savoia1995–1996 Siena1996–1997 Carpi1997–1998 Lucchese1998–1...

 

 

西遊記大結局之仙履奇緣

本條目存在以下問題，請協助改善本條目或在討論頁針對議題發表看法。 此條目需要編修，以確保文法、用詞、语气、格式、標點等使用恰当。 (2013年8月6日)請按照校對指引，幫助编辑這個條目。（幫助、討論） 此條目剧情、虛構用語或人物介紹过长过细，需清理无关故事主轴的细节、用語和角色介紹。 (2020年10月6日)劇情、用語和人物介紹都只是用於了解故事主軸，輔助�...

زواج المثليين في جزر فوكلاند

الأوضاع القانونية لزواج المثليين زواج المثليين يتم الاعتراف به وعقده هولندا1 بلجيكا إسبانبا كندا جنوب أفريقيا النرويج السويد المكسيك البرتغال آيسلندا الأرجنتين الدنمارك البرازيل فرنسا الأوروغواي نيوزيلندا3 المملكة المتحدة4 لوكسمبورغ الولايات المتحدة5 جمهورية أيرلندا ...

 

 

Lewi Pethrus

Swedish minister and hymnwriter (1884–1974) PastorLewi PethrusLewi Pethrus in 1937BornPethrus Lewi Johansson(1884-03-11)11 March 1884Vargön, Västra Tunhem, Älvsborg, SwedenDied4 September 1974(1974-09-04) (aged 90)Stockholm, SwedenEducationBethel Seminary (Betelseminariet) in StockholmSpouseLydia Danielsen This article is part of a series onConservatism in Sweden Ideologies Christian democracy Liberal Moderate Nationalist Principles Cameralism Duty Elitism Meritocracy Law and order ...