Avon Water facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Avon Water |
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The Avon Water in Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton.
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| Country | United Kingdom, Scotland |
| Region | South Lanarkshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Distinkhorn Hill |
| River mouth | Hamilton |
| Length | 39 km (24 mi) |
The Avon Water, also known locally as the River Avon, is a river in Scotland. It flows for about 39 kilometers (24 miles). This river is a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river called the River Clyde.
Contents
Journey of the Avon Water
The Avon Water starts in the hills between East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. It begins near the top of another river called the Irvine Water.
Flowing North East
The river flows towards the north-east. It follows the A71 road past a place called Drumclog. Then, it runs to the south of Strathaven. Here, the river enters a deeper valley.
Through Villages and Gorges
The Avon Water flows between the village of Glassford and Stonehouse to the south. After this, it joins with a smaller river called the Cander Water, just south of Larkhall. The river then goes around the west side of Larkhall, forming a deep gorge. A railway bridge, built in 1904, crosses this gorge. It was made for the Caledonian Railway but is no longer used.
Chatelherault Country Park
Beyond Larkhall, the gorge becomes part of Chatelherault Country Park. This park is south of Hamilton. There are many walking paths along this part of the gorge. Long ago, this area was a private hunting and pleasure ground for the Duke of Hamilton.
Many old features from that time are still in the park. One is the Duke's Bridge, which crosses the gorge. Even older structures include the ruins of Cadzow Castle, which was started in the 1200s. There are also the Cadzow Oaks, a group of very old oak trees. Some of these trees are more than 600 years old!
Meeting the Clyde
At the end of the gorge, the river turns east. It flows under three bridges. One bridge carries the Argyle railway line. Another carries the A72 road. The third is the Old Avon Bridge, which is now only for people walking.
The Avon Water then flows north under the M74 motorway. Finally, it joins the River Clyde between Hamilton and Motherwell. This meeting point is near Junction 6 of the M74 motorway.
Avon River in New Zealand
The Avon River flows through the city of Christchurch in New Zealand. This river was named Avon because of the Scottish Avon Water. The Deans brothers, who were early settlers, asked for it to be named this way. They wanted to remember their grandfather's farm, Over Auchentiber, which was near the Scottish Avon Water in the Ayrshire hills.
What Does "Avon" Mean?
The name Avon comes from an old language called Brittonic. The word was āβonā-, which meant "moving water." This word is related to the modern Welsh word afon, which means "a river."
