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Congresbury Yeo

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The Congresbury Yeo is a river in North Somerset, England, rising as a spring at Compton Martin Duck Pond and flowing approximately 17 miles in a north-westerly direction through Ubley, Blagdon Lake, Wrington, Iwood, and Congresbury before emptying into the Severn Estuary at Woodspring Bay, west of Kingston Seymour. The river passes through Blagdon Lake, which was created between 1898 and 1905 by damming the river just north of Ubley. Below the lake, the channel is notably wide and straightened in places, while further downstream it narrows and meanders through riverside meadows and past historic mill sites.

The primary access point for paddlers is at Millennium Green in central Congresbury, where the public green space straddles the river and provides free parking, a simple jetty or platform for launching, a picnic area, a play space, and public toilets nearby. The car park tends to fill early on weekends, so an early arrival is advisable. Bristol Canoe Club also notes an easy access point at the A370 road bridge in the middle of Congresbury.

The water is slow-moving and narrow through the paddleable sections near Congresbury, making it well suited to beginners or those seeking a relaxed outing. Paddlers can pass under the Grade II-listed Bow Bridge at Iwood, observe old mill sites along the banks, and travel through tree-lined stretches with open meadows. The river supports otters, kingfishers, water voles, trout, and grayling, reflecting active conservation work in the catchment. The Bristol Avon Rivers Trust has undertaken channel improvement works below Blagdon Lake to address silt accumulation and improve habitat diversity, which has included installing woody structures to generate flow variation and scour the riverbed.

Notable features along the course include Congresbury Weir, the 1924 Congresbury Bridge, the route of the Great Western main line railway crossing, and the M5 motorway crossing further downstream. Near the estuary mouth, Blake's Pools — dug between 1983 and 1987 on land leased by the Avon Wildlife Trust — form part of the Severn Estuary SSSI, Special Protection Area, and Ramsar site. The Strawberry Line Cycle Path runs nearby, which may be of interest to those combining activities on a visit.


Water access, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Congresbury Yeo. Uncover great paddling access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. PaddleWays's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

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