Thursday 31 December 2009

Through Salisbury Wylye > Nadder > Avon


A Local paddler describes a 12 km trip through Salisbury, from Quidhampton (on the Wylye) to Bodenham
Three of us ran this at high water levels in December 2009. We put in at at the bridge over Wylye on A3094 - Netherhampton Rd at SU106 309 and took out at Bodenham, South of Longford Castle, where a road runs alongside the river Avon at: SU 170 258

There were some tree strainers and a few low bridges for the unwary - but no real difficulties. The weir at Longford Castle was washed out.

We were challenged near the sewage outfall at Petersfinger by a man who said we were on his land (we were, of course, not – as we were on the river). He looked very angry and took out his mobile and started calling someone whilst running off towards a large farm / house. We expected to be confronted at the Longford Castle Bridge but were not. We passed quite a few fishermen around Salisbury - but had no problems -everyone else was polite.

Route directions were, more or less, keep left whenever there is a choice
River Wylye Put In At A3094 Bridge Quidhampton SU106309
Shortly after launching on the Wylye you join the River Nadder and pass another possible get-in, park at SU120 306 opposite Bemerton ChurchKeep left more or less every time the river splits and pass under a number of bridges (some quite low at high water levels)
River Nadder after Bemerton
Tree Strainer on the Nadder
River Nadder below Churchfields
Past Churchfields Industrial Estate (on your left) - still keeping left turn sharp right and go under a bridge with a small weir under it SU137298 (Pictured below)
River Nadder below Churchfields (SU 137298) small weir under bridge
River Avon at Harnham Bridge
After the Harnham Bridge, pass the Sea Cadets HQ (possible get out at Churchill Gardens SU 149 292). At end of gardens park get out and portage the sluice on your left - going down the left turn in the river towards Southampton Road, A36
R Avon by A36 SU152293
SU158287 By Sewerage works (Angry Man - see above!)
Keep following the main river - generally left past Longford castle and after about 400 yards swing right down weir SU170259 (shoot weir at the very right, down the ramp).
Longford Weir (SU170 259) at lower water levels (and, below, washed out)

Get out a few hundred yards further on - where the road runs alongside the river (near Bodenham) at: SU 170 258