Aside from Stratford, the other Avon towns offer similar experiences. You can quite easily meander along the banks of much of the river, and while there are limited walking trails or cycle routes along it, there are many spots to stop for a picnic , play games or even go for a quick dip . Just remember though if you're travelling through the countryside to follow the unwritten rules - or you may find yourself in all sorts of bother with a local!

Many river towns also have mooring points quite near a pub , so whether you're travelling on foot, bicycle or some sort of floating vessel, you can quite easily stop in for a quick bite and a pint if you are so inclined. The Dirty Duck (or Black Swan ) in Stratford is a good example of the kind of atmosphere you can expect. It's popular with all kinds of people, from thespians to bikers and pensioners. Or there's also Cox's Yard , Stratford's only decent place to see live music and comedy. The riverbank courtyard garden area is fantastic on a long summer evening. Because of the