South East Hertfordshire | Oxfordshire | Buckinghamshire | Berkshire Discover Little Adventures on Your Doorstep

Home , Aldermaston, Aldermaston Wharf, County Lock, Hungerford, Kintbury, Tring Reservoirs

South East Hertfordshire | Oxfordshire | Buckinghamshire | Berkshire Discover little adventures on your doorstep

Walk along the towpath and spot different types of boats

Count how many water birds you can spot and name in five minutes

Relax in a canalside café and watch narrowboats passing by

Take a boat trip and learn more about the Oxford Canal

Take a picnic and feed the ducks healthy snacks

See the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle

Take a fishing net and go canal dipping

Cycle down the towpath and take a break at a waterside pub

Watch the boats passing through the locks

Check out the awesome Iron Trunk Aqueduct

Banbury, Thrupp, Oxford, Cosgrove & Wolverton, Aylesbury, Tring, Western Turville Reservoir, Berkhamsted, Apsley, Cassiobury Park, Watford, Hungerford Wharf, Kintbury, Newbury, Aldermaston Wharf, Garston Lock, Reading Are you looking for inspiring places to visit with the family? Then look no further than your local canal or river. This guide features a selection of our best waterside places to visit in London – whatever the weather! Each location includes a map, suggestions of fun-packed activities you can do and useful information on where to park, places to eat, toilets and boat trips.

Have a look

on our map 1. Banbury and find a little 2. Thrupp adventure on 3. Oxford your doorstep! 4. Cosgrove & Wolverton 5. Tring 6. Western Turville Reservoir 7. Berkhamsted 8. Apsley 9. Cassiobury Park, Watford 10. Hungerford Wharf 11. Kintbury 12. Newbury 13. Aldermaston Wharf 14. Garston Lock 15. Reading

*AINA Waterways

* This map shows waterways managed by members of the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA). We have not featured places to visit on waterways managed by these organisations. There are other inland waterways that have not been shown, the information on this map is for guidance only, for accurate information please visit our website. Explore Banbury In the centre of this busy modern Oxfordshire town discover Tooley’s Boatyard, Spiceball the oldest continuous working Country Park Coventry dry dock in the country.

Little adventures on your doorstep Oxford Canal Banbury Museum Tom Rolt Bridge To o l e y ’s Boatyard

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Poem on Castle Quay Lock gate Shopping Lift Centre bridge Bluebird Bridge Banbury Lock Park Mill Lane Bridge Bus H station igh St reet Banbury

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STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge Kidlington & Oxford Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history Thrupp grew up along the Oxford Canal, one of the first canals. It’s a classic example of a canal that hugs the contours of the land to avoid obstacles such as hills. There’s still plenty of evidence of those early days such as waterside pubs, canal cottages and a lovely tea room located in the old boatyard.

Best of all it’s FREE!* Fivivee tthings ttoo do F do a ta Tth Trhurpup Look out for the row of canalp cottagesp once called Salt Row. It’s been suggested that they were once Information used to store salt, a regular cargo on this canal. Canal Yard Check out the quirky bridges – including the lift Canal Road bridge – which are a feature of the Oxford Canal. Thrupp OX5 1JZ Chill out with tea and cakes in the cafe overlooking the canal. Parking (pay & display) Pack wellies and go for a great winter walk along the towpath. Café Watching boats and chatting to boaters is a must – Pub the canal is very popular with holiday-makers. Picnic Path Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always Did you know?... open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some It’s best to feed ducks tasty may be chargeable. Please treats like: check with local business • porridge oats before setting out. • rice • peas • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk Sign up for our newsletter and get regular food for you and ducks! updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Discover the canal in Oxford Overflow from canal Passing through the lovely countryside of Oxfordshire, The Thames Old boatyard Path Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, the Oxford Turnover bridge Canal is one of the most scenic waterways. Historic Isis Lock swing bridge

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Worcester Street STAY SAFE: Park End Street New Road Stay Away From the Edge Oxford Castle Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history Minutes from the grandeur of Oxford University and overlooked by most of the millions of tourists that flock to the city each year, is the hidden world of the Oxford Canal. Here in Oxford City, the canal meets the River Thames that once completed an important trade route from the Midlands to London.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do on the O xford C Information Discover the turnover bridge designed soa thatnal horses didn’t have to be unhitched when the Worcester St Car Park, Oxford OX1 2BQ towpath changed sides. Spot the narrowboats that still sell coal and logs to river and canalside households. Parking + Look for the old Oxford boatyard (now closed) Café where Lyra meets the ‘gyptians’, in the novel The Pub Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. Cycling Hire a bike in town and cycle up the towpath. Follow the canal round to the Thames Path. About a Boat hire mile further south is Christ Church Meadows, one Path of the most famous river landscapes in the world. Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always open the facilities and boat Can you name the different parts trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please of a narrowboat? check with local businesses 1 2 3 before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Discover Cosgrove & Wolverton Cosgrove, once a bustling industrial site, is Stoke now a peaceful stretch of the Grand Union Bruerne Ornamental Canal. Just the place for a great family visit

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Wolverton Route of the original lock flight Galleon Wolverton Medieval village Bridge Church Milton Keynes Stony Stratford Wolverton STAY SAFE: Mill Stay Away From The Galleon the Edge Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history In Victorian times, Cosgrove was a busy inland port. Timber, coal and stone from the Midlands were unloaded here and local farm produce was transferred onto barges bound for London. Today, it’s busy with pleasure boats and families having a great day out.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do at Cosg rove & Check out the awesome Iron Trunk AqueductWolv thatert on Information takes the Grand Union Canal across the river valley. Lock Lane, Cosgrove The first brick aqueduct collapsed and was replaced MK19 7JR or Old Wolverton Road by one built of cast iron. Wolverton MK12 5NL Look for the cattle creep under the aqueduct built so cattle could pass to the fields on the other side Parking of the canal. Toilets Go to the Ornamental Bridge. When the canal was Pub built in the 1790s, the local landowner insisted on a pretty bridge. Picnic Chat to boaters and watch boats go through the lock. Trip boats Look for the route of the original lock flight built Path before the aqueduct, when the river was Allow 1-2 hours crossed on the level. for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always Did you know?... open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some Our lock gates are handbuilt may be chargeable. Please by skilled carpenters in check with local businesses before setting out. our workshops in the West Midlands and Yorkshire, from FSC Green Oak. Each one is unique and can take up to a month to make. Once built they last for about 25 years. Sign up for our newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Little adventures on your doorstep A418 Aylesbury Arm (Grand Union Canal)

Town Centre Circus Field Marina & museum Marsworth

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Hotel Queens Park Supermarket Arts centre Aylesbury Basin A413 Discover Aylesbury Basin Aylesbury Station Bear Brook Aylesbury The Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Waterside Theatre Canal has an exciting new town centre STAY SAFE: basin! It’s a great starting point for family Stay Away From walks and to see the bustle of life at the the Edge water’s edge. It’s one of the best places on the canal system to watch birds. Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history The Aylesbury Arm transported grain, timber, coal and building materials until the 1960s. Threatened with closure, a team of canal enthusiasts worked hard to keep it open and encourage the recreational use of the Arm. Today, their dedication work has paid off with a new marina located just outside Aylesbury.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things t o do at Ay lesbu Information ry Basin Cycle along the towpath and look for two rare Waterside staircase locks (at the Marsworth end) where the Exchange Street middle gate joins the top and bottom locks. Aylesbury HP20 1AL Walk along to the new Circus Field marina and chat to boaters preparing to set off on their canal Parking holidays from the marina. Toilets

Spot boats being repaired in the new wet and dry Café docks in the marina. Pub Check out the exciting new architecture surrounding the town centre basin. Information Explore the historic market town of Aylesbury. Centre Path Allow 2 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Did you know?... Although the site is always open the facilities and boat It’s best to feed ducks tasty trips may not be and some treats like: may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses • porridge oats before setting out. • rice • peas • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk Sign up for our newsletter and get regular food for you and ducks! updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Steep Tringford Wendover Discover steps Pumping Station here (not open to the public) Tring Reservoirs Tring Reservoirs lie on the edge of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s one of the best bird hide places on the canal system Wilstone to watch birds. Reservoir The Grand Tringford bird hide Junction Arms Reservoir

Tring Danger: 30 mins walk bird hide bend Steep steps here Marsworth Startops PE Mead & Son Farm Grand Union Reservoir Reservoir Shop & Tea Rooms The Half Canal Puddingston Distillery Moon

The Angler’s Retreat Bulbourne Workshops Dry Dock Aylesbury where lock gates Flight of locks were once made Bluebells Walks Tea Rooms 4km/21/2 miles 5km/3 miles 9km/53/4 miles The Red Lion nature path Birmingham Grand Union Canal Aylesbury Arm STAY SAFE: Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km Stay Away From the Edge A little bit of history Tring Reservoirs supply water to the Grand Union Canal and its two arms to Wendover and Aylesbury. The clear water attracts lots of plants, fish and insects, and large numbers of breeding, wintering and migrating birds. It’s a nature lover’s paradise. The site is managed by Herts Best of all & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. it’s FREE!* ve thi Fi ngs to d o at T ring R  eserv SitSit in in a a bird bird hide hide and and see see how how many many birds birds youo icanyours can Tring Reservoirs, namename in in 5 5 minutes. minutes. InformationMarsworth, Tring  InIn the the summer summer watch watch swifts swifts and and common common terns terns Bucks. HP23 4LL Tring Reservoirs, swoopingswooping over over the the water. water. In theIn the evening evening spot spot pipistrelle Marsworth, Tring batspipistrelle hunting bats for insects.hunting for insects. Bucks. HP23 4LL  Explore using using way-marked way-marked circular circular walks. walks. Or cycle Or cycle alongalong the the canal canal towpath. towpath. Parking  Watch the the boats: boats: each each time time they they cross cross Tring Tring Summit Toilets (in café waterSummit flows water away flows through away the through locks on the each locks side. on and pub) each side. In the peak season around 4 million gallons are needed Café eachIn the day peak to top season up the around canal. 4 million gallons are  Walkneeded to Tringford each day Pumping to top up Station the canal. built in 1818 and Pub

stillWalk pumping to Tringford water intoPumping the canal. Station built in 1818 and Walks: still pumping water into the canal. 4km/2½ miles 5km/3 miles 9km/5¾ miles nature path What to Spot Allow a half to full Explore the waterside together. day for this visit How many of these can you spot? * Don’t forget: Although* Don’t forget: the site is always A duck quacking openAlthough the facilities the site and is always boat tripsopen may the not facilities be and and some boat maytrips be may chargeable. not be and Please some checkmay be with chargeable. local businesses Please check with local businesses The number of a before setting out.  A fascinating insect before setting out.  bridge or lock 

The names of A face two boats or animal in the Sign up for our An interesting clouds newsletter and get regular stone or brick   updates and offers from  the Canal & River Trust. Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Weston Turville Aylesbury & Chequers Inn Layby Sailing Club parking Discover Fishing platforms (angling club Weston Turville Reservoir Wendover use only) Arm Surrounded by the lovely Buckinghamshire Prestwood countryside, Weston Turville Reservoir & District Bird hide is a wonderful oasis of water, woods Angling Club and wildlife. Just the place for Weston Turville family walks and budding W Reservoir o r Steps Anglers’ path nature detectives! l d and s Worlds End Aylesbury Eramp Garden Centre n d

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STAY SAFE: Wendover Weston Turville Reservoir is managed by Stay Away From the Edge Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km Bucks, Berks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) A little bit of history Opened in 1797, Weston Turville Reservoir was built to compensate local millers for the loss of water diverted away from their mills to the canal. Today, the commitment of BBOWT and local community groups means a much-valued landscape and a Site of Special Best of all Scientific Interest (SSSI) of national importance. it’s FREE!*

Five things to d o at W esto n Tur Go fishing The reservoir teems with bigvill efish! Re Contactservoi r Prestwood & District Angling Club for details Information www.facebook.com/PrestwoodAndDistrictAC Weston Turville Join Aylesbury Sailing Club and experience the Reservoir exciting family sport of dinghy sailing. World’s End Lane Visit aylesburysailingclub.org.uk for details. Weston Turville Bucks Visit the bird hides and spot water birds. Winter is a HP 22 5PS great time to spot wildfowl such as teal, shoveler and tufted ducks. You might hear the ‘piglet squeals’ of the Parking water rail: the reservoir is its only breeding place in Bucks. Toilets Take an early morning walk and bring a camera – it’s a Café great place for taking photographs especially at dawn. Run or walk around the reservoir (2 km/1.2 miles). Pub The recently resurfaced path is an exerciser’s paradise! Bus Stop Path Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

Did you know?... * Don’t forget: Although the site is always It’s best to feed ducks tasty open the facilities and boat treats like: trips may not be and some • porridge oats may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses • rice before setting out. • peas • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk Sign up for our food for you and ducks! newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Explore Berkhamsted Berkhamsted Berkhamsted Castle Berkhamsted, on the Grand Junction Canal, was once Canal a busy inland port and the Fields centre of boat building activity. It is still called the Port of Berkhamsted today. Milton Castle Street Keynes Bridge

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Ca nal STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge Hemel Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km Hempstead A little bit of history The Grand Junction Canal linked London to Birmingham, cutting through Berkhamsted. Castle Wharf was once the centre of canal trade and boat building. Today, Berkhamsted is a great place to explore the canal, especially by bike as there is a good track all the way to London.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do a t Ber khams Walk along the towpath and explore ttheed pretty town Information of Berkhamsted. Canal Fields, Broadwater, Take a picnic and feed the ducks. Berkhamsted HP4 2AL Check out the Canadian totem pole which marks the site of an old boat building and timber yard. Parking Visit Ashridge estate woods, once the home of Toilets Francis Edgerton, Duke of Bridgewater. Known as Café the Canal Duke he invested the money to build the Pub first canals. See the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle, built by one of Picnic William the Conqueror’s knights. Path Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 The Paper Trail Visitor Centre (approx 500m) Hemel Hempstead Discover Apsley When the Grand Union Canal was cut though Apsley, it put the town on the main trade route to London. Today, the old towpath serves as a wonderful cycle route.

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STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge

Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km Watford A little bit of history Apsley was once an important centre for paper manufacture. The Grand Union Canal transported huge amounts of raw materials on barges to the paper mills here. Full-scale production of paper only ceased in the Second World War. Today, the old industrial buildings are now cafés, pubs and a visitor centre – and make a great day out.

Best of all it’s FREE!* ve thi Fi ngs to d o at Apsle y Information Walk around the marina and spot the different Stationers Place types of boats. Apsley Look for bridges with double arches. At one time Hemel Hempsted the canal was planned to have double locks for HP3 9RH bigger barges, but they were never built. Parking Check out The Paper Mill pub in an old converted paper mill. Toilets (in the visitor centre) Visit The Paper Trail Visitor Centre located in Frogmore Mill, an old paper mill. It houses the Café world’s oldest mechanised paper mill. Pub Count how many water birds you can spot and Play area name in five minutes. Path Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always Did you know?... open the facilities and boat Our lock gates are handbuilt trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please by skilled carpenters in check with local businesses our workshops in the West before setting out. Midlands and Yorkshire, from FSC Green Oak. Each one is unique and can take up to a month to make. Once built they last for about 25 years. Sign up for our newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Hemel Hempstead The Grand Union Canal, Berkhamsted flowing through this historic park, has been described as ‘one of the loveliest sections of a canal so near a town anywhere in Britain.’ Iron Bridge Lock Miniature Stone railway Bridge

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STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge Croxley & London Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history Wealthy landowners, who once owned Cassiobury Park, made a beautiful pleasure garden. When the Grand Union Canal was cut through in 1796, the owners demanded that the canal followed the River Gade and was disguised with an ornamental bridge. Today, Cassiobury Park is a pleasure garden for everyone to enjoy.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do at Cass iobury Information Cycle along the towpath to Hemel Hempsted. Park It’s been described as ‘one of the loveliest sections of Cassiobury Park end of Gade Avenue a canal so near a town anywhere in Britain’. Watford WD18 7LG Take a trip on the miniature railway. Parking Check out the Stone Bridge. It’s a great place to have a picnic and go fishing. Toilets Watch the boats passing through the magnificent Café Iron Bridge Lock. Picnic Discover the beauty and variety of trees in Whippendell Wood. Play Area Path Allow 2-3 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Did you know?... Although the site is always open the facilities and boat It’s best to feed ducks tasty trips may not be and some treats like: may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses • porridge oats before setting out. • rice • peas • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk Sign up for our food for you and ducks! newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Hungerford Wharf e

e Hungerford r Once a busy industrial canal wharf, t S Lock Hungerford Wharf is now a picture e Church g d of tranquillity. And a great place to swing bridge i Footbridge r start exploring the beautiful B Kennet & Avon Canal!

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STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge

Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history The Kennet & Avon Canal was born in 1794 when it was agreed that linking the river navigations at Newbury and Bath via a canal would bring huge benefits to Hungerford. It opened new markets and provided cheap transport for bulky goods. Today, it provides a wonderful base for a family day out in the country.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do at Hung erford The Kennet & Avon Canal transported BathWh stone.arf Information Check out St Lawrence’s Church, it was built High Street of Bath stone. Town Centre Hungerford Take a boat trip aboard the Rose of Hungerford and RG17 0DN learn more about the canal. Parking The Kennet & Avon Canal is an important area for wildlife conservation. Look out for water voles Toilets and water birds. Café Walk along the towpath and look for quirky canal Pub bridges such as the swing bridge at Hungerford Marsh Lock. Boat trips Feed the ducks and watch boats passing Path through the locks. Allow 3-4 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always Can you name the different parts open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some of a narrowboat? may be chargeable. Please 2 check with local businesses 1 3 before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Beware Little adventures fast traffic! on your doorstep Horse-drawn Kintbury Kintbury Lock boat trips

Hungerford anal Kennet & Avon C Newbury

Newmans Vicarage Bridge Kintbury Mill The Dundas Arms Bridge Kintbury Chu nk rch Ba S Mill Bridge tr Explore e Station Road e t Kintbury Village Centre St Mary’s church Once a busy industrial canal wharf, Kintbury is now a picture of tranquillity. STAY SAFE: It’s just the place to start exploring the Stay Away From beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal. the Edge

Map not to scale: covers approx 0.3 miles/0.7km A little bit of history Kintbury was the first section of the Kennet & Avon Canal to be opened. The canal was the main trading route between London and Bristol and the wharf thrived for 100 years. Here, large quantities of iron and coke bound for the local ironworks were unloaded, as well as raw materials for nearby breweries.

Best of all it’s FREE!* ve thi Fi ngs to d o at Kintb Take a horse-drawn boat trip andury learn more Information about the Kennet & Avon Canal. Station Road Go for a bike ride along the towpath, past the Kintbury water meadows where watercress once thrived in RG17 9UT the clear chalk streams. Parking The Kennet & Avon is important for wildlife conservation. Look out for kingfishers, mute swans, Toilets coots, moorhens and herons. Café Walk along the towpath and watch boats passing through the lock and making their way sleepily Pub along the canal. Cycling Visit Kintbury Parish Church close to the canal. It has a memorial tablet to Charles Dundas, first chair Boat trip of the Kennet & Avon Canal Company. Path

Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some Did you know?... may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses Coots have a white spot before setting out. on the front of their head and moorhens have a bright red beak tipped with yellow, and a white stripe on their side. Sign up for our newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust. Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Discover Newbury Wharf Newbury was once a busy inland port on the Kennet & Avon Canal. Today, it’s a great place to start exploring one of Victoria Park the most scenic canals in the country.

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& t ne Greenham Mill en et K nn Lane footbridge Ke er Bone Jubilee iv R Lane Boat Trips ne STAY SAFE: To w n A339 Newbury a l L Stay Away From Bridge Mosaic Mil Wharf Street B3421 the Edge West Mills Little adventures ne on your doorstep Newbury ar La 21 Be Lock B34 B3 42 1 Ki Winchcombe ng s Ro Road ad Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history 200 years ago, Newbury Wharf was on the main trading route between London and Bristol. When the railway arrived, trade decreased and the Kennet & Avon Canal was threatened with closure. Fortunately, a team of dedicated volunteers took it on and restored it for leisure use.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

ve thi Fi ngs to d o at Newb Information ury Wh Watch the boats work the locks in the centrearf of Newbury Wharf this bustling market town. Wharf Street Newbury RG14 5AP Visit the Kennet & Avon Information Centre on the Wharf to find out more about the canal. Parking Walk along to Town Bridge. The towpath is not Toilets continuous under the bridge. Horses, which Café towed boats in the early days of canals, went up the alley and across the street. Spot where the Pub towropes wore away the bricks on corner of the Information passageway. Picnic Take a boat trip and explore more of the canal. Have a picnic in Victoria Park and feed the ducks. Play area Boat trips Path Allow 2-3 hours Did you know?... for this visit * Don’t forget: It’s best to feed ducks tasty Although the site is always treats like: open the facilities and boat • porridge oats trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please • rice check with local businesses • peas before setting out. • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk Sign up for our newsletter and get regular food for you and ducks! updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Discover Aldermaston Wharf Once a busy industrial canal Little adventures wharf, Aldermaston Wharf is now a on your doorstep peaceful backwater. It’s great place to start exploring the beautiful A4 Bath Road Kennet & Avon Canal.

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Padworth Canal Avon Electric Lift Bridge Middle Locks Kennet &

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A340 The Butt Inn STAY SAFE: Stay Away From Aldermaston Village the Edge Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history 200 years ago, visitors to Aldermaston Wharf would have seen horse-drawn barges loading and off-loading a huge variety of goods from building materials to beer. From here, goods were transported all over the world via the canal, the River Thames and the Port of London.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to Information do at Ald Aldermaston Wharf erma ston Wharf Aldermaston Check out Aldermaston Lock with its scalloped RG7 4JS brick chamber. One of only two on the canal. Look for the modern electric lift bridge and watch Parking the boats stop the traffic! Toilets The Kennet & Avon Canal is important for wildlife conservation. Look out for kingfishers, mute swans, Café coots, moorhens and herons. Pub Walk along the towpath and spot different types Information of boats such as Dutch barges, river cruisers and narrowboats. Picnic Visit the café and find out more about the Kennet Cycling & Avon Canal. Path

Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Can you name the different parts Although the site is always of a narrowboat? open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some 1 2 3 may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust. Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

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STAY SAFE: d Stay Away From has listed building status. the Edge

Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history Turf was most often used on rivers in the early 1700s, before the canal system was built. All except one other turf-sided lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal have been rebuilt with hard materials, such as brick. The other is Monkey Marsh at Thatcham, also a listed building.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

ve thi Fi ngs to d o at G arsto n Lock The Kennet & Avon Canal formed a line of defence Information against invasion during the Second World War. Look Sheffield Bottom Lock out for pillboxes which were built as mini forts. Swingbridge Off Hanger Road Walk or cycle along the towpath from Sheffield Theale RG7 4AJ Lock to Garston Lock (½ mile/0.8km). Parking Spot waterbirds such mute swans, mallard, coot, moorhens. You may even catch sight of a kingfisher! Pub Relax with a picnic and watch boats passing through Picnic Sheffield Lock, one of only two scalloped brick locks Cycling on the canal. Path Check out the quirky swingbridge. Allow 1-2 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please Did you know?... check with local businesses before setting out. Our lock gates are handbuilt by skilled carpenters in our workshops in the West Midlands and Yorkshire, from FSC Green Oak. Each one is unique and can take up to a month to make. Once built Sign up for our they last for about 25 years. newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge Duke Street River Kennet Oracle shopping Bridge Blakes Lock Boat River centre A329 traffic lights Thames

Bridge Street Brewery Gut Kin g’s Road al Can Beware fast Avon nnet & traffic! Ke

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Fobney A329 London Street Street A329 Discover Idr Southampton Bridge County Boat Street A327 County Lock, Reading traffic Lock The Kennet & Avon Canal runs lights through the heart of Reading. Shop River Little adventures Kennet till you drop then relax by the on your doorstep Navigation reet water’s edge! Pell St Berkeley A33 Avenue Berkley Avenue Newbury Bridge covers approx 1.2 miles/1.9km A4 Map not to scale: A little bit of history The Kennet & Avon Canal was once the main trading route from Bristol to London. The canal bought great prosperity to Reading and saw industries such as brewing, sawmilling and biscuit-making thrive. Simond’s Brewery once occupied the land around the lock. Today, it’s a great place to watch boats.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

ve thi Fi ngs to d o at C ounty Go shopping in the Oracle Shopping Loc Centrek, Rea anddin g keep an eye open for boats passing through! Information The Oracle Shopping

Huntley & Palmer used the canal to transport Centre biscuits from its factory here. Visit Reading Reading RG1 2AG Museum and see an amazing collection of old biscuit tins. Parking (pay & display) Spot the traffic lights for boats. Check out the amazing weir at County Lock. Toilets Walk along the towpath to the point where the Café canal joins the River Thames and completes its journey to London. Pub Path

Allow 3-4 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always Did you know?... open the facilities and boat It’s best to feed ducks tasty trips may not be and some treats like: may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses • porridge oats before setting out. • rice • peas • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk food for you and ducks! Sign up for our newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust. Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

A place to walk, somewhere to feed the ducks or a place to simply be. Life by water is relaxing, friendly and healthy, Sign up for our newsletter it makes a difference to how we feel. and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust. At Canal & River Trust we believe life is better by water. We care for these Simply go online and search waterways so they exist for you to for ‘canal newsletter’. enjoy, for free, every day.

Discover, explore, enjoy.

T: 0303 040 4040 @CanalRiverTrust /canalrivertrust /canalrivertrust