River Avon

The River Avon is the name of several rivers in Great Britain. The name is so common because it derives from the Old British Abona, meaning simply 'river', and which has given rise to the Welsh, Cornish and Irish word for river: afon, avon and abhann respectively.

Probably the best-known River Avon is the Warwickshire Avon, which flows through the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare (who is also known as the 'Bard of Avon').

Another River Avon flows through the city of Bristol and enters the Bristol Channel at the port of Avonmouth.

A further River Avon flows north-south across central southern England through the towns of Pewsey and Amesbury and the city of Salisbury to enter the English Channel between Bournemouth and Christchurch.

In Scotland, a River Avon flows between Stirlingshire and West Lothian to enter the Firth of Forth near Bo'ness.