House Boats on the River Avon

The River Avon is central to Bath’s identity, both geographically and historically. Flowing right through the heart of the city, the river provided the natural setting around which Bath developed. Long before the Romans tapped into the hot springs to create their famous baths, the Avon served as a vital transport route, a source of power, and a natural defensive boundary. The Romans likely used the river for moving goods and building materials, while in the medieval period it became essential for trade, connecting Bath with Bristol and the wider world.