SLHS: Avon Boating

History

There’s no doubt that Hugh Clopton had warehouses all along this side of the river bank centuries before the arrival of the tramway. It’s also known that these got swept away in floods at least once. During these times control of the height of the river was impossible and even these days huge floods occur (see below right and  Floods In Stratford).

However because of his trading, particularly in coal, Stratford’s William James was determined to once again make the river navigable to the sea and so he bought it and spent such a fortune on it that he ended up in Debtors Prison. A short branch of his tramway is known to have come to a warehouse where the boathouse is now. Wikipedia mentions the existence of Blue Lias Wilmcote Limestone and indeed this is used as a wall along the front of the Boathouse giving the line of the original warfe.

Leisure boating came later and the Victorians were experts. The nearby Swan’s Nest Hotel was run by George Rose. They had guests and the river was just there and so the warehouse was rebuilt for leisure with a balcony and upstairs maintenance facilities (varnishing) on top.

In 1898 the boating business was separated. They launched their first steam pinnace the Swan Of Avon and with care steered their way to such a successful business that in 1930 the family sold the hotel to concentrate on pleasure boating.

Swans Nest Road

● These items have aspects that uniquely contribute to national or world history.

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Nick Birth & Ed Rose

Floods frequently take their toll on businesses by the river.

Aerial view  1920’s

- At The Boathouse

More boats were added here:  Lotus 1927 and Spray 1923

Marie Corelli

On this website you will be familiar with this famous writer who contributed so much to the town. Not only that but Marie Corelli had her own Gondola made. The Venetian ones were far too vast to bring back home so she had a unique 2/3 scale version built. And, of course, imported her very own Venetian gondolier. His duties included gardening and parading her on the river.

This is now in possession of the current directors of the company.

Nightclub

In the 1970’s the upstairs balcony room was turned into a wine bar. However, perhaps because it was a little way from the town, greater footfall was sought. Later that decade, and into the 1980’s, it isn’t surprising that this gave way to the glam of nighttime entertainment -a very popular disco venue.

Restaurant

For a period it was a French restaurant, then Thai and now it concentrates on the best that British and European can offer (see above right).

Many Hire Boats

The company now have a wide range of boats for trips, motorised hire and row your own and they’re not expensive.

Maintenance

Beautiful, wooden hulled boats, many over 40 years old with several over 100 years old need constant looking after. See below for pictures of some of the rather involved necessary processes.

SLHS Picture & Document Archives..

1. Avon Boating: Remarkable Lengths Needed For Boat Maintenance

The original steamboat that started it all

Corelli’s Gondola outside the Town Hall on her 100 years celebration   May 2024

Avon Boating Current Powered Fleet

Full details in order of year of manufacture.

1. Swan of Avon - built 1898
   

2. Rose of Avon - built 1902
   

3. Britannia - built 1905
   

4. Mayflower - built 1912
   

5. Spray - built 1925
   

6. Lotus - built 1929
   

7. Lady - built 1933
   

8. Titania - unknown
   

Click on any photo for an enlargement.

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