Canal Boat Holiday Destinations from Aldermaston, on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Berkshire
From Aldermaston, near Reading in Berkshire, you can cruise the picturesque Kennet & Avon Canal and the River Thames. A Thames Licence is included in the cost for boats departing from here. It’s a great location if you’re looking to escape into the countryside from London, as there’s a station at Aldermaston, served by trains from Paddington.
The 87-mile long Kennet & Avon Canal links Bristol on the River Avon with the River Thames at Reading. There are 105 locks along its length.
Three-night destinations from Aldermaston
Reading and back (20 miles, 20 locks, 12 hours)
Head east along the Kennet & Avon Canal towards the historic town of Reading. Just after Tyle Mill lock and Tyle Mill swing bridge, you can moor up and take a 10-minute walk to the Spring Inn at Sulhamstead. Continue east past Theale and Burghfield, and into Reading. Traffic Lights control the boats moving through central Reading and lots of bridges span the navigation as you move towards the town centre. High Bridge is a good place to moor near to access the town centre. There are theatres and museums to visit, including the Hexagon and the Reading Museum, as well as plenty of waterside pubs and restaurants. The Oracle Centre (north of High Bridge) is a popular place to stop. Turn around at the junction just after Kings Road Bridge and return to Aldermaston.
Newbury and back (18 miles, 22 locks, 14 hours)
Departing west from Aldermaston Wharf, you’ll go through Woolhampton with its canalside Row Barge pub. Next you’ll reach Thatcham, home of the Swan Inn. Moor up after Monkey Marsh lock to visit Thatcham Lake and the Nature Discovery Centre. You can also walk to Bowdown Woods Nature Reserve from Bull’s Swing Bridge, just after Bull’s Lock. Then it’s on to the picturesque market town of Newbury, which has plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants to enjoy. There is also a racecourse, a theatre, an arts centre and market square. Pass the pub next to Newbury Bridge and turn before the next swing bridge to make your way back to the wharf.
Four-night destinations from Aldermaston
Henley-on-Thames and back (37 miles, 28 locks, 18 hours)
Follow the route to Reading (see above) and join the River Thames, where the locks are generally manned. Along the way you’ll pass through the charming village of Sonning, with its choice of pubs and riverside Sonning Mill Theatre. You’ll also pass through the village of Wargrave with its popular riverside George & Dragon pub. Arriving at Henley-on-Thames, home of the Royal Regatta, there are beautiful views of the town, church and historic bridge. Walking into the town you’ll find plenty of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as the fascinating River & Rowing Museum. Turn and return to Aldermaston.
7-night destinations from Aldermaston
Hungerford and back (36 miles, 42 locks, 24 hours)
Head west through a few locks and swing bridges, before arriving at Thatcham where you can moor up and explore the Nature Discovery Centre or walk to the nearest pub. Then it’s on to the picturesque market town of Newbury, which has plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants to enjoy. Pass under Newbury Bridge and continue west, passing through the village of Kintbury with its canalside Dundas Arms pub. Three miles later you’ll reach the historic market town of Hungerford, with many antique shops to visit. Turn your boat around just before Hungerford Bridge.
Windsor and back (79 miles, 42 locks, 32 hours)
Follow the route to Henley (see above) and cruise on downstream through picturesque Hurley, Marlow and Cookham (home to the Stanley Spencer art gallery). A little further on, moor up at Maidenhead to visit the National Trust’s Cliveden House and the waterside Roux at Skindles restaurant next to Maidenhead Bridge. At Bray, you’ll find Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and the Roux brothers’ Waterside Inn. Visit Eton College before arriving at Royal Windsor, famous for its castle.
Great Bedwyn and back (43 miles, 60 locks, 32 hours total)
Follow the route to Hunderford and continue cruising through the Berkshire countryside, passing the Pelican Inn at Froxfield. At Great Bedwyn you’ll find the Three Tons pub and Stone Museum. Turn at Great Bedwyn Wharf to return to Aldermaston.
Pewsey and back (64 miles, 90 locks, 45 hours total)
Follow the route to Great Bedwyn and continue to cruise further west. You’ll pass Crofton Pump Station, home to the world’s oldest working beam engine. Then you’ll cruise through the -2-way Bruce Tunnel and then you’ll be cruising along the edge of the ancient Savernake Forest. At Wootton Rivers, with its beautiful thatched cottages, you can moor up to visit the Royal Oak pub in the village. Continue cruising on through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey to Pewsey Wharf with its Waterside restaurant. Turn the boat around in the winding hole not long after Pewsey Bridge.
10 or 11-night destinations from Aldermaston
Oxford and back (99 miles, 48 locks, 48 hours)
Follow the route to Reading (above) and when you reach the River Thames, begin cruising upstream. You’ll pass the Elizbethan Mapledurham House and you’ll go through the lovely Berkshire villages of Pangbourne, Streatley and Goring. Then you’ll reach the historic market town of Wallingford, with its Castle Gardens and Agatha Christie Trail. At ancient Abington, you’ll find the popular riverside Nag’s Head pub, riverside walks, ancient streets and fascinating Abbey. When you reach Oxford and its ‘dreaming spires’ take time to explore some of the many attractions, including the fabulous Ashmolean Museum, Bodleian Library and Oxford Castle.
14-night destinations from Aldermaston
Lechlade and back (158 miles, 70 locks, 74 hours)
Follow the 10 or 11-night route to Oxford and continue heading east. Departing Oxford the river starts to narrow, winding past willow trees, with views of the lovely Cotswolds. Here you will generally operate the locks yourselves. Moor up after Godstow Lock to visit the riverside Trout Inn at Wolvercote. Then after King’s Lock you’ll pass Duke’s Cut connecting to the Oxford Canal.
A few miles on at Eynsham you can moor up and walk into the village to visit the Talbot Inn. Cruise on through the Oxfordshire countryside and four miles on you’ll pass the Ferryman Inn at Bablock Hythe. Just over three miles later you’ll pass the riverside Rose Revived pub at Newbridge. Ten miles on you’ll reach Radcott Bridge and the Swan Hotel. Nearly three miles later you’ll pass William Morris’ Kelmscot Manor and the Plough Inn in the pretty village of Kelmscot. When you reach Lechlade, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the Cotswolds, you can moor up to explore the village. There’s a great choice of independent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs.
Limehouse and back (192 miles, 114 locks, 80 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Windsor and continue on to Runnymede, Hampton Court and, Teddington, then transfer onto the Grand Union Canal at Brentford. For there you can cruise into London, meeting the Regent’s Canal at Little Venice. The Regent’s Canal takes you past London Zoo, Camden market, through Islington Tunnel, past Victoria Park and then down to Limehouse via the Limehouse Link.
Bath and back (129 miles, 164 locks, 87 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Pewsey (see above) and continue on Devizes, with its amazing flight of locks at Caen Hill. It takes around four hours to travel down the flight, with Canal & River Trust lock keepers on hand to assist. Next you’ll pass through the village of Seend with its canalside Barge Inn, Semington, Hilperton and then medieval Bradford-on-Avon with its 14th century tithe barn. Cruising on through the beautiful Bath Valley, you’ll soon cross the magnificent Avoncliff Aqueduct, carrying the canal over the River Avon. And later Dundas Aqueduct. You’ll pass the Somerset Coal Canal entrance and Brassknocker Basin. Then Claverton Pumping Station and the American Museum at Claverton Manor.
Next you’ll pass the canalside George Inn at Bathampton, you’ll go through two short tunnels and then you’ll reach Sydney Wharf. There you can turn the boat around and moor up at Sydney Gardens. From there it’s a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre, with world famous attractions including the Royal Crescent and Pump Rooms.
