Malcolm Smith's walks. The Avon Valley Path - 1a : Christchurch to the Water Meadows

Avon Valley Path

Part 1a : Christchurch to the Water Meadows

	Route from Christchurch to the Water Meadows. Street map.
	NOTE This section of the walk ends where a footbridge has been washed away in the water meadows. There is no alternative route to proceed but the path along the riverbank can be followed to return to Knapp Mill.
	In front of Christchurch Priory where the Avon Valley Path commences. OS Ref : SZ.1598.9255 Christchurch Priory. Photo : AVP-1a-1 Date : 5 August 2025
	Leading away from the Priory. OS Ref : SZ.1596.9261 Photo : AVP-1a-2 Date : 5 August 2025
	Follow Church Street. OS Ref : SZ.1593.9265 Photo : AVP-1a-3 Date : 5 August 2025
	Continue along Church Street. OS Ref : SZ.1594.9264 Photo : AVP-1a-4 Date : 5 August 2025
	Cross Castle Street into High Street. OS Ref : SZ.1592.9269 Photo : AVP-1a-5 Date : 5 August 2025
	At the top of High Street, bear right at the end of Fountain Way. OS Ref : SZ.1573.9290 Photo : AVP-1a-6 Date : 5 August 2025
	Follow the sign down through the subway under Fountain Way. OS Ref : SZ.1573.9294 Waymarker at subway. Photo : AVP-1a-7 Date : 5 August 2025
	Turn left out of the underpass. OS Ref : SZ.1572.9295 Photo : AVP-1a-8 Date : 5 August 2025
	Walk along Bargates. OS Ref : SZ.1568.9296 Photo : AVP-1a-9 Date : 5 August 2025
	Turn right into Avon Buildings. OS Ref : SZ.1555.9315 Directional sign at Bargates. Photo : AVP-1a-10 Date : 5 August 2025
	Follow Avon Buildings lane to the end. OS Ref : SZ.1556.9316 Photo : AVP-1a-11 Date : 5 August 2025
	At the end of Avon Buildings, turn left as indicated by the 33½ sign. OS Ref : SZ.1564.9321 Photo : AVP-1a-12 Date : 5 August 2025
	Follow the gravel track between the houses. OS Ref : SZ.1564.9322 Photo : AVP-1a-13 Date : 5 August 2025
	The track turns sharp right. OS Ref : SZ.1563.9325 Photo : AVP-1a-14 Date : 5 August 2025
	The track turns left and becomes a footpath. OS Ref : SZ.1565.9327 Photo : AVP-1a-15 Date : 5 August 2025
	The path comes alongside the River Avon. OS Ref : SZ.1564.9338 View of the river from the footpath. Photo : AVP-1a-16 Date : 5 August 2025
	Go under the railway line. OS Ref : SZ.1561.9342 Photo : AVP-1a-17 Date : 5 August 2025
	The path continues alongside the river. OS Ref : SU.1561.9355 Photo : AVP-1a-18 Date : 5 August 2025
	The waterworks are behind the fence on the left. OS Ref : SZ.1561.9357 Photo : AVP-1a-19 Date : 5 August 2025
	Water pipes cross the river here. OS Ref : SZ.1560.9359 Photo : AVP-1a-20 Date : 5 August 2025
	The path continues behind the waterworks. OS Ref : SZ.1554.9367 Photo : AVP-1a-21 Date : 5 August 2025
	The path is enclosed along this stretch. OS Ref : SZ.1549.9373 Photo : AVP-1a-22 Date : 5 August 2025
	Pass behind this building. OS Ref : SZ.1548.9375 Photo : AVP-1a-23 Date : 5 August 2025
	The path kinks to the left then to the right. OS Ref : SZ.1546.9377 Photo : AVP-1a-24 Date : 5 August 2025
	Walk straight ahead to the building at the end. OS Ref : SZ.1546.9376 Photo : AVP-1a-25 Date : 5 August 2025
	Turn right and cross the sluice at Knapp Mill. OS Ref : SZ.1546.9378 Knapp Mill. Photo : AVP-1a-26 Date : 5 August 2025
	Turn left at the far side of the mill and cross the next sluice. OS Ref : SZ.1548.9380 Photo : AVP-1a-27 Date : 5 August 2025
	OS Ref : SZ.1548.9384 Photo : AVP-1a-28 Date : 5 August 2025
	OS Ref : SZ.1547.9387 Photo : AVP-1a-29 Date : 5 August 2025
	OS Ref : SZ.1545.9393 Photo : AVP-1a-30 Date : 5 August 2025
	Knapp Mill Great Weir. OS Ref : SZ.1546.9398 Fish counter sign. Photo : AVP-1a-31 Date : 5 August 2025
	The designated route heads towards the electricity pylon in the distance. Flood erosion can cause the path to become swamped in wet conditions. OS Ref : SZ.1547.9402 Alternative route. Photo : AVP-1a-32 Date : 5 August 2025
	The path reaches the riverbank. OS Ref : SZ.1561.9426 Photo : AVP-1a-33 Date : 5 August 2025
	Follow the river. OS Ref : SZ.1568.9425 Photo : AVP-1a-34 Date : 5 August 2025
	The bridge across the stream was washed away in floods in 2023 and will not be replaced. There is no viable alternative route. OS Ref : SZ.1573.9423 The original route. Photo : AVP-1a-35 Date : 5 August 2025

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