Fordingbridge to Ringwood

The following photos and notes have been supplied by a canoeist who made the trip from Fordingbridge to Christchurch one Monday in the spring of 2008 - allowing for the meandering course of the river this amounts to approximately 37kms. I have divided the journey into 3 sections of equal length. Fordingbridge to Ringwood, Ringwood to the Avon Causeway and the final leg to Christchurch harbour.

Access at Fordingbridge is provided by a small slip way at the southern end of the recreation ground (SU148138)

SU148133 A typical Avon scene. Reeds, willows and a fishing jetty

SU148131: There are two weirs at Bicton, one beside the mill, and this one a few hundred metres upstream. We portaged the first weir, easier and more discrete than the hatches by the mill (this would be runnable in a kayak in normal flows)

SU145129: Footbridge over the Avon
Looking downstream through the footbridge

SU147125: Fishermen's hut
A relatively upmarket fishermen's hut beside the Avon near Bicton

SU147111: River Avon
A swamped boat and a fishermen's hut amongst the willows

SU150100: River Avon above Ibsley. Trees growing at an angle, presumably because of the prevailing wind in this open stretch of meadows beside the Avon

SU150097: Ibsley Bridge
Looking downstream through the bridge that carries the road between Harbridge and Ibsley
The Old Beams Inn on the A338 here would provide a welcome stop for thirsty / hungry paddlers

SU149096: Ibsley weir
Looking upstream, towards the weir beside the A338 road at Ibsley. We portaged this weir. (runnable in a kayak in normal flows). Beware, sometime a garotting wire is strung across the weir

SU139083: Bridge to Somerley
The iron bridge that carries the drive across the river Avon from Ellingham to Somerley

SU138077: Attractive meanders through Somerley Park. The swirling waters demonstrate that the flow is surprisingly fast for a mature river

SU146056: Not the most attractive part of the river Avon. This electricity sub-station on the east bank, close to the A31 and its bridges over the river, make a stark contrast to the rural scenes above and below Ringwood

SU145056: These hatches, with a bridge above, are beside the busy A31 at Ringwood
SU142051: Old Bridge over the Avon at Ringwood This bridge carried the old road west from Ringwood over the river Avon. The view from the other side is much less attractive, where the two carriageways of the A31 by-pass each has its own concrete bridge. The central support of one can be seen here, through the centre arch