Licences

It’s quick and easy to apply online — you can get started right now, and it usually takes around 10 minutes. Depending on the type of licence you're applying for, we may ask for:

• Your boat insurance details,
• A valid Boat Safety Certificate,
• The make and size of your boat.

It’s a good idea to have these ready before you begin.

We offer two main licence types:

• Short-Term Licence: From 1 day up to 30 days.
• Annual Licence: For regular users who cruise the river throughout the year.

Please let us know as soon as possible. If you’ve sold your boat, you're still responsible for the licence until you notify us. If the boat is for sale in a marina brokerage pond, you're also still responsible unless we’ve been informed.

Short term licences are ideal for visitors who wish to:

• Cruise or moor on the River Avon for up to 30 consecutive days
• Launch and retrieve their craft within a short timeframe

For any period over 30 days, you’ll need to apply for an annual licence instead.

There are two main types of short-term licence:

1. Excursion Licence
For when you're launching from and returning to the same point, e.g., a weekend trip starting and ending in the same place.

2. Through Licence
For when you're travelling through the navigation, such as starting at one end and finishing at another point.

Through Licences are available for:

• 7 days
• 14 days
• 30 days

We offer a Short Term Wintering Licence for visitors who wish to moor at a flood-safe marina or private mooring during the winter months (November to March). This licence:

Costs £110.00 per calendar month (flat rate for all boat sizes)

• Is only valid in approved winter mooring locations (not visitor moorings)
• Requires you to ensure facilities are available where you plan to stay
• Must be followed by an annual licence if you remain after winter

Please note: some parts of the river may be closed for maintenance during winter, and navigation services are limited.

Yes, in most cases. If your boat has a cabin, fuel system, or cooking facilities, you’ll need a valid Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Certificate or RCD certificate (for new boats). Only very basic craft (e.g., canoes, rowboats, or open motorboats without fixed equipment) are exempt. More information: www.boatsafetyscheme.org or call us.

Yes. All powered and unpowered craft must be insured, with a recommended minimum of £3 million public liability cover, including salvage. A copy of your insurance certificate is required when applying for an annual licence.

Tewkesbury – Avon Lock
Offers online purchase support and information.
Phone: 01684 292129

Tewkesbury Welcome Centre
Open: 18th April 2025 to 2nd November 2025
Days: Thursday to Sunday and Bank Holidays
Phone: 01684 292129

Yes — all craft (powered, paddle, or unpowered) must display a valid Avon Navigation Trust licence when moored or navigating any part of the river, including:

• All marinas
• Basins
• Backwaters
• Upstream of the Avon’s confluence with the Severn

If you purchase a short-term licence online, you can display your unique licence number and expiry date written on paper and clearly fixed to your boat.

Short term licences are valid for:

• Privately owned craft
• Hire craft and timeshare boats
• Continuous cruisers on the CRT network

They cannot be transferred to another boat, captain, or crew.

An Avon Navigation Trust annual licence allows you to cruise and moor your boat anywhere along the River Avon, from Alveston Weir to Tewkesbury, where the river meets the Severn.

There are two licence start dates available each year:

• January (valid until 31st December)
• July (valid until 30th June)

Yes. All craft — including powered, paddle, and unpowered — that are:

• Moored on the river,
• Using it for any purpose,
• For any length of time,
  must display a valid Avon Navigation Trust Licence.

This includes boats moored or using:

• Marinas
• Basins
• Backwaters
• Areas upstream of the Avon’s confluence with the River Severn

No. Licences are not transferable between boats. If you sell your boat, the licence remains with the craft. Please note: no refunds are given for unused time on a sold boat.

Your fee helps to:

• Maintain the river and locks
• Fund engineering works and improvements
• Support safe and enjoyable boating for everyone

You can learn more in our Gateway Magazine, which shares updates on recent and upcoming projects.

To apply for an annual licence, you’ll need:

1. Insurance Certificate
   Minimum £3 million third-party liability including salvage
2. Boat Safety Scheme Certificate (BSS) or Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) for new boats

• • If your boat is afloat without a current BSS certificate, you'll pay the full fee, even during the prompt payment discount period
  • If you submit your BSS within 2 months, the discount can be refunded

Applications cannot be completed online without this documentation — in those cases, a postal application is required.

Only very basic craft are exempt — those with:

• No cabin
• No fixed fuel
• No gas cooking facilities

This includes canoes, rowboats, and basic open motorboats. For more information, visit www.boatsafetyscheme.org or call the ANT office on 01386 552517.

The cost depends on:

• Whether your boat is powered or unpowered
• The length of your boat

Our online system will calculate this for you automatically. You can also view a full price list on the Licence Information leaflets on the Documents Page.

You have two options:

Option 1 – Apply online (Preferred)
Use the online system below to apply for your annual licence.
This is available for all private boaters, including residential licences.

Choose your licence period:

• January to December
• July to June (for summer launches)

If you’re launching 1–2 months before your chosen start date, you can purchase a short-term licence to cover that time.

Option 2 – Apply by email or post
Download the PDF form from the Documents Page and return it:

• By email
• Or by post

You can pay:

• Over the phone (card)
• By bank transfer (BACS)

Please include your insurance details and BSS certificate number and expiry date on the form.

If you’ve received a notice for an unlicensed craft, please contact our compliance team on 01386 552517. They’ll guide you through what to do next.

You need to inform us as soon as possible. Until we receive confirmation, you remain responsible for the boat’s licence, even if it has been sold. If your boat is:

• Sold privately – please provide us with the new owner’s details
• Sold via a broker – you can either:
  • Ask the broker to share the new owner’s information with us
  • Or ask the broker to contact us directly

This ensures the licence responsibility transfers smoothly to the new owner.

No. The responsibility for the boat’s licence only passes to the new owner once we’ve been formally notified of the change. Until then, the previous owner remains liable for any licensing issues or notices.

Please ask your broker to:

• Provide you with the new owner’s details,
• or Contact us directly on your behalf

This ensures the licence is correctly updated and responsibility transferred.

At popular mooring locations like Tewkesbury and Stratford-upon-Avon, it’s important to:

• Find a space before paying for your mooring (if charges apply)
• Moor courteously, leaving space and considering other boaters
• Moor close to other boats or even breast up alongside if needed, especially when river levels are rising

Please remember that mooring on lock landings or approach channels is only permitted while locking — not for overnight stays or waiting.

Yes. There is a wheelchair-accessible mooring at Tewkesbury on the Avon Level, near the lock entrance. This is available for Blue Badge holders. This mooring is normally occupied by the River Avon Welcome Centre boat, but we’ll move her to make space when booked.

To use this accessible mooring:

• Please book in advance using the form below
• If it’s unavailable, we’ll contact you with alternative dates or arrange a refund

Here’s a list of overnight mooring sites available along the River Avon:
(FS = flood safe, HAVON = flood safe with full sanitary facilities and access to shops/emergency services)

• Avon Lock, Tewkesbury (FS – charges apply)
• Twyning Fleet (FS)
• Strensham Lock (HAVON)
• Eckington Wharf (FS)
• Birlingham Quay (Not flood safe)
• Comberton Quay (FS)
• Defford Road Wharf (FS)
• Pershore New Bridge (FS)
• Angel Hotel, Pershore (FS)
• Pershore Town Moorings (HAVON)
• Wyre Lock Island (FS)
• Fladbury Lock (FS)
• Craycombe Turn (FS)
• Chadbury Lock Island (FS)
• Evesham ANT Moorings (FS)
• Evesham Town Moorings (Not flood safe)
• Valley Moorings, Evesham Country Park (FS)
• Offenham Lock (FS)
• Harvington Lock (FS)
• Bidford Town Moorings (FS)
• Barton Lock (FS)
• Bidford Grange Lock (FS)
• Welford Lock (FS)
• Luddington Lock (FS)
• Weir Brake Lock (FS)
• Stratford-upon-Avon Recreation Ground Moorings (Not flood safe – charges apply)

At locations where charges apply (e.g. Tewkesbury or Stratford-upon-Avon), payment can be made online using the link below. Always secure your mooring first before making a payment, especially during busy times.

Yes, but off-season navigation is limited and subject to conditions. The winter season runs from November to April, and during this time:

• Essential maintenance may be taking place
• Some locks or bridges may be blocked or closed

Before you set off, you must complete a Request to Navigate Off Season form so we can:

• Confirm if your planned route is open
• Ensure it's safe to travel

The form helps us:

• Keep you informed of potential closures or restrictions
• Ensure that your journey is safe and uninterrupted
• Monitor and manage river usage during months of reduced supervision and ongoing works