AONB Coast & Estuaries

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The Avon Estuary

The river

The River Avon (or Aune as it is also known) rises 460 metres above sea level on the Aune Head mires of south Dartmoor and makes its 23 mile journey to the sea passing through the Avon Reservoir, South Brent, Avonwick, Loddiswell and Aveton Gifford before reaching the estuary mouth at Bantham and Bigbury on Sea.

The estuary

The estuary of the Avon is tidal up as far as the weir at Aveton Gifford, the bridging point 4˝ miles inland. Like the other estuaries of South Devon, the original deep river valley has been inundated by later sea level rise, with the tide flooding in to create a wide expanse of water.

Designations

The Avon estuary is part of the South Devon AONB and lies within the South Devon Heritage Coast.

Blue Carbon

Our coast and estuaries play an important role in the binding of the worlds biological carbon (or green carbon), with more than half being captured my marine living organisms (hence it is called blue carbon). With such an important carbon fixing resource on our doorstep it is important that we restore and maintain healthy marine ecosystems. For further details pleas access the full blue carbon report.

Getting around

  • On foot: The Avon Estuary Walk provides a fine waymarked trail around the estuary, a leaflet is available for sale from local tourist information centres or free as one of our downloadable walks . (Completing the trail involves a crossing on the seasonal ferry service).
  • River cruisers: None – the river is too shallow.
  • Ferry crossings: There is a seasonal passenger ferry service operating a summer–only crossing between Bantham and Bigbury on Sea (Cockleridge).

Estuary conservation and management

  • The care and management of the Avon Estuary is co-ordinated through the Avon Estuary Forum.
  • This Forum is supported by the South Devon AONB Estuaries Officer, Nigel Mortimer.  To contact Nigel, call 01803861465 or email nigel.mortimer@southdevonaonb.org.uk
  • An estuary management plan has been published for the Avon covering the five year period 2002-2007 and is available to download below. 

Website address: http://www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/downloads.asp?PageId=291
Email: enquiries@southdevonaonb.org.uk
Telephone: 01803 861384
Contact Address: South Devon AONB Unit, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5NE