This was the second trip I’d made to Stratford upon Avon in two weeks. I’d done all the Shakespeare things and don’t do shopping, so a cruise on the river seemed a good way to fill up the rest of the morning. There are three different companies running cruises. All run 40 minutes cruises at similar prices. I decided on Avon Boating as they are the only company that had seats outside. All the others were covered accommodation inside which isn’t so good if wanting to take pictures.
This company also cruises down to the Church and then back under Clopton Bridge. Canal and River Cruises leaves from the Canal basin and through the lock gates onto the river, only going as far as the church. Passengers on a tight schedule need to be aware there can be delays going through the lock if it is busy.
It was a lovely leisurely journey. Going downstream to the church, there were gardens on one side with woodland screening the buildings on the other. Watch out for the hand cranked passenger ferry.
The tower of Holy Trinity Church could just be seen above the trees. I had found the church was almost impossible to photograph for the trees and it was no better from the boat, with just two quick glimpses of the tower.
After turning round, we headed back up the river and under the C14th Clopton Bridge, still with its toll house.
We lost the swans and ducks which don’t seem to venture under the bridge. This section is delightful with wooded river banks and glimpses of very expensive houses on one side with immaculate gardens and their own landing stages. I dread to think how many 00s they would have on their price. Even though we were just a stone’s throw from the town, it felt a million miles away.
This is a good trip. Although the address is Swans Nest, the boat leaves from the opposite side of the river near the canal basin. There is an audio guide available, but I didn’t bother with this.
