How to get there - Saltford is on the A4, half way between Bath & Bristol. From the A4 Bath Road turn north into Norman Road and continue into High Street. At the bottom of the hill by the Bird in Hand pub, turn right into The Shallows and park in the car park on the right.
For those with SatNav the postcode is BS31 3EX.
Get a map with driving directions to start (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Launch over the bank opposite into the river Avon.
General
Description - The River Avon forms part of the Kennet & Avon Navigation which goes east to Reading where it joins the Thames.
From Saltford you can go west for 5 miles (3 locks) to Hanham Lock where the river becomes tidal or east (5 miles & 2 locks) to Bath where the canal rises through 6 locks to Bathwick). If all you want is 3-4 miles return to a riverside pub I suggest you head for the Boathouse at Newbridge which requires portage of just one lock (Kelson Lock). We then went on to Weston Lock where we turned round.
This part of the river is delightfully rural (except for the presence of the railway) as it meanders from one side of the valley to the other with the ridge of hills to the north.
Saltford Brass Mill next to the launch site is the country's best remaining example of a water powered metal rolling mill.
Comments on this trip
DAVID DOOLEY 07 Jul 2015
A nice trip into Bath. Turn left at the Lower Bath locks to go to Pulteney Weir for refreshments. The get out is right by the weir.The lock get in and get out points for this part of the river are a little high for sitin kayaks. I found a long bow line(painter) essential for holding one end of the kayak when launching or retrieving, and also for holding the cockpit opposite the ladders when getting ito or out of the kayak.
Steve G 17 Feb 2010
Many thanks for posting this route, really useful.
