The Bath locks mark the transfer to the River Avon navigation and on reaching Hanham you will come to the end of British waterways jurisdiction.  The countryside landscape here starts to change: to the east, the valley is wide and water-meadowy; to the west wooded and gorge-like.

At Hanham, you are on the tidal section of the River Avon under the jurisdiction of the Bristol City Council to whom a licence fee is payable. Visitors may purchase a licence from the Lock keeper at Netham Lock or from the Harbour Office Underfall Yard, Cumberland Road, located at the western end of the Floating Harbour (0117 903 1484 ) or e mail harbour.office@bristol.gov.uk. The Lock keeper will give you advice about where to moor in the Harbour, but it is a good idea to ring ahead of your visit.

At Netham the river goes away to your left, you steer a course right through Netham Lock which is where you get your licence, see above. You are now in the heart of Bristol, a fascinating town steeped in maritime history and there should be plenty of mooring spots available here.

Bristol is a fascinating town with its own seafaring heritage, so take some time out to explore, from Brunel’s SS Great Britain in the harbour itself, to AT-BRISTOL, a state-of-the-art, interactive science centre. If you’re travelling with children then visit the spectacular Bristol Aquarium in Bristol’s historic Harbourside and then head into town to discover the medieval Old City.

Enjoy a night in this vibrant city before heading back the way you came to your narrowboat hire base at Bradford On Avon.