The term 'SHAKESPEARE River' is a combination of two crossword solutions: AVON (4 letters) and SHAKESPEARE (9 letters). The AVON is a river in England that runs through the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. It is best known for being the river that flows through Stratford-upon-AVON, the birthplace of William SHAKESPEARE. The name 'AVON' is derived from the Celtic word for 'river'. The other part of the term, 'SHAKESPEARE', is the surname of the famous English playwright and poet, William SHAKESPEARE.