UK Canal Boating

Day 1

If you set off this afternoon, you could travel for a couple of hours before mooring for the night. You will be heading for the BW Services below Tyle Mill Lock, about 2 miles away and through 3 locks.

Alternatively, you may want to stay moored at the marina for the night, in which case, perhaps a good meal at a local pub would be nice. The Butt Inn is at Aldermaston Wharf, alongside the canal, so not too far to walk, and serves good food and ales all day.

For those who decide to make a start on their trip, make sure you have provisions for the night, as there are no pubs or shops close to the mooring.

If you set off today, you will have travelled 2 miles in 2 hours.

Day 2

You will be setting off from either Aldermaston or Tyle Mill Lock, and heading towards Henley Bridge, where you will turn in preparation for the return journey.

On leaving Tyle Mill Lock, you will soon reach Theale, a suburb of Reading. Here, you will find local shops and amenities, and you may enjoy a walk around the town, perhaps a visit to the Holy Trinity Church, whose style was based on Salisbury Cathedral.

Meandering on towards Reading, the canal wends its way through several water meadows in relative peace and quiet.

A little further on, at Burghfield Bridge, a pretty stone arch, you will come across a pub called The Cunning Man, where you might like to stop for lunch, or just a nice relaxing drink beside the canal in the large beer garden. Good food and ale are served daily.

Continuing towards Reading, you will go through Fobney Lock before reaching County Lock, where the canal passes over a low weir, so do take care. Then, you will pass numerous pretty cottages and various bridges as you approach Reading.

Navigating through Reading, you will be central for shopping or just strolling around the streets, window shopping. You may like to visit the Abbey Ruins, or perhaps Reading Gaol, made famous by Oscar Wilde, who wrote De Profundis (a letter to Lord Alfred Douglas) whilst imprisoned there in 1897, as well as the poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol.

There are also a couple of museums, and gardens to relax in. You will be spoilt for choice for somewhere to eat, or to enjoy a coffee, perhaps whilst people watching, in this vibrant town.

If you did not eat whilst in Reading, you might like to try The Jolly Anglers, a pub at Kennetside, on the towpath. This is the last pub before you reach the Thames.

The section of canal through Reading, is controlled by traffic lights, so do take care not to proceed until the light displayed your end is green.

You will now be approaching the junction with the Thames, so bear to the right, towards Sonning Lock and Mill, where once you have travelled along a peaceful stretch of the canal, you will approach Sonning village, which is set back from the river. See Navigational Notes above for information on Sonning Bridge, Hallsmead Ait and The Lynch.

The next town you reach is Wargrave, which overlooks the Thames. In the High Street, there is Woodclyffe Hall, a grade II listed building, where events are held, so visit their websiter (below) if you're interested in finding out what's on.

A nice place for lunch, or just a drink in the beer garden to relax, is The Bull Hotel and Pub, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of a C19th landlady! Food is available at lunchtimes and evenings, seven days a week.

Now you've left Wargrave, you will head towards Henley Bridge at Henley-on-Thames. Along this stretch of canal, you will see some wooden boathouses, and possibly some of the Brent geese, for which it is noted.

West of the river is Henley itself, a pretty waterfront with moored boats. Here, you will find a market town with all facilities. There is a wealth of shops, a theatre and local services, including a launderette.

The Henley Royal Regatta is held in the first week of July, so do check this before you arrive, as it will be very busy.

There are plenty of places for mooring around Henley, so pick a spot, then perhaps walk into the town for something to eat, and enjoy your night here, before setting off on the return journey tomorrow.

Day 3

After turning at Henley Bridge, either last night or this morning, you will begin your return journey, following the same route as you did to get here.

Day 4
Day 5
Return to Aldermaston marina today.

All of the above stops and places to see and visit are suggestions only, and you may want to create your own itinerary, or just cruise and see where it takes you.

Enjoy your trip!

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.