Objective: Take the train from Newbury to Reading. Cycle back from the River Thames / Kennet Mouth junction along the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Trip Type: solo cycle
Distance: 23 miles
Time to complete: 3.0 hrs, 7.9 mph
Nicholson Guide: Guide 7, pp 98-107
Costs: free parking in Newbury. Train from Newbury to Reading £8.40. Note: you may need to reserve a bike space on your train as GWR can be fussy about this on inter-city services. This is free, and you should be able to do it on your ticketing app, but you will have to collect your ticket from the machine at the station. The local trains don’t require a reservation.
Difficulty: hard (due to breaches in the canal), moderate if no breaches
Adjacent Rides: Newbury to Pewsey, Thames Path (neither rides completed yet)
Overview
The ride starts in urban Reading, with a short cycle along the River Thames, after which you follow the Kennet & Avon Canal through the centre of Reading and out into the countryside. Due to a number of breaches (as of Spring 2024) there are some very difficult sections, and you are guaranteed to get your feet wet. The second half of the ride is easier. The very last section into Newbury also has a breach (as of Spring 2024).
1. Newbury to Kennet Mouth (1.5 miles cycling)
Park in St. Georges Avenue, Newbury, RG14 5NY. This is the first road outside the Newbury parking permit zone. Cycle back down to Rockingham Road. Turn right then left into St. Michaels Road. Turn right across the railway then left on a pedestrian path (Station Road) to the railway station. Trains to Reading are 3 per hour. Try to avoid the inter-city ones as explained above.
Use the north exit from Reading Station onto Bagnall Way (if you come out of the main entrance turn left and left again under the railway to the roundabout). Cross Vastern Road and go down the side of the circular Thames Water building to the River Thames. Turn right on the river path. Pass Caversham Lock, through Kings Meadow to Horseshoe Bridge, where the Kennet joins the Thames.
2. Kennet Mouth to Aldermaston (11 miles)
Cross the pedestrian bridge here, which has shallow steps, and turn right under the railway. Continue on the left side through the shopping centre.
At Bridge Street Bridge (2) by House of Fraser, cross the river and continue on the right out of town. The towpath changes sides frequently, usually at swing bridges, and where there are canal sections. This section, as of Spring 2024, has several breaches. There will be signs saying the towpath is closed, but it is possible to continue, however you will definitely get your feet wet as some breaches are ankle depth and can’t be cycled. The path gradually worsens, becoming grass only.
As you approach Theale there are more breaches, and the path is narrow and muddy. There are grass sections across fields, which are wet with the leakage from the canal.
At Ufton Swing Bridge (25a) cross both the river and the canal to the right bank, and continue on a good quality towpath on the canal section. There is now a metalled path all the way to Aldermaston Wharf.
The Butt Inn at Aldermaston is open 12 until 11pm 7 days a week if you’ve had enough by now (there is also a railway station).
3. Aldermaston to Newbury (9.5 miles)
At Basingstoke Road (A340) in Aldermaston cross the canal to the left (do not follow the river round to the right!).
Although the path is no longer metalled, it is good quality gravel and wide all the way to Newbury. Continue through Woolhampton and Thatcham.
If there is no breach at Newbury continue under the A339 to West Mills Swing Bridge 62, perhaps stopping for refreshment at The Lock, Stock & Barrel which is on your route. From here you can take Kennet Road, Craven Road and Rockingham Road back to St. George’s Avenue and your car.
If the breach at Newbury is still there you will need to leave the canal at Bulls Swing Bridge (48) and take Hambridge Lane into the town centre. Cross the roundabout onto Hambridge Road (B3421), which becomes Kings Road. At the A339 turn left and cross to the station, retracing your steps to your car. [I did the last section from the Newbury side of the breach as part of my Newbury to Pewsey ride ]