The historic city of Bristol lies 5 miles up the narrow and tricky River Avon. There is an enormous expanse of water held within the dockside area by various locks.  The whole area is known as the Floating Harbour, and there's plenty of room for visitors.

It is hard to believe that unwieldy sailing ships could actually work their way up River Avon on the tide and get into the docks. A glance at the photo gallery will show you what a narrow, muddy passage this is. With all the twists and turns in the river, it's almost unbelievable that the docks were once packed out with tallships.

To support all this activity, all the usual dockside trades and businesses were represented from coopers (making wooden barrels), sail makers, ropemakers, chandlers, makers of ships biscuits, shipwrights...to hobblers. Hobblers were traditional rowing craft manned by up to 6 men... their purpose to help get the unwieldy sailing ships up the River Avon on the tide. They never actually towed the ships, more guided them gently while letting the tide and do work.

In all probability, bearing in mind the number of seamen knocking round the port at any given time, there were probably numerous taverns, boarding houses and badwy houses ! ... read more

Any kind of approach to Bristol needs good timing and planning. The tides in the Severn Estuary are fierce with ranges of up to 13 m odd... these will have to be negotiated before you get anywhere near the River Avon. Streams can reach up to 5 knts at springs and 3 Knts at neaps.

The lock in to the Floating Harbour only opens from a couple of hours before HW to about 15 minutes before HW. The visiting yachtsman or motorboater therefore needs to arrive at the lock entrance within this window of time. If you miss the lock in by arriving too late you will have no alternative other than to exit the River Avon completely, as there is nowhere to stop safely while awaiting the next tide (With perhaps one exception covered later). See full pilotage details:

If approaching from the West the small craft Mariner needs to be acutely aware of shipping approaching Avonmouth, Royal Portbury Docks or heading for The Avon (or vice versa). It is mandatory to keep listening watch on VHF channel 12 for Bristol VTS. Inward bound commercial vessels report when passing the English and Welsh Grounds fairway buoy (EW Grounds on the larger chart), and the Welsh Hook Buoy. Outward Bound ships report when leaving Avonmouth or Portbury docks, when passing Shirehampton (vessels leaving the River Avon), and when passing Lower Shoots Beacon (vessels leaving Sharpness). ... read more

Within the River Avon the only real berthing option is at Crockerne Pill (covered shortly). If locking into the Floating Harbour, visitors have a choice of Bristol Marina, or the Harbour Authority alongside moorings. These are now dealt with including prices: ... read more