The River Thames and The Kennet and Avon Canal can be explored on a canal boating holiday in Berkshire. Linking the River Thames at Reading in Berkshire to the Bristol Avon The Kennet and Avon Canal is England's most southerly broad-beam canal. The Kennet and Avon Canal was reopened by the Queen in 1990 is fast becoming one of Britain's favourite waterways. The River Thames is at it's most majestic as it flows out of London through Berkshire's stately towns and beautiful countryside. Our base at Aldermaston Wharf in Berkshire is a perfect starting point to cruise The Grand Ring via London. This ring takes a minimum of 2 weeks to complete, or longer if you want to take in the sights along the way. You do need a licence to cruise on the River Thames but this is included in the hire charge from Aldermaston Marina.
Windsor is situated on the banks of the River Thames in the beautiful Berkshire countryside. Visit two of Berkshires favourite attractions whilst moored in the town. Windsor Castle is an official residence of HM The Queen and the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and LEGOland is a theme park where you will discover 55 interactive rides. Linked by a bridge crossing the River Thames no trip to Windsor would be complete without a visit to Eaton home of the world famous college. Windsor and Eton are a shopper's paradise and is where high street retailers, designer labels, antiques shops and department stores sit alongside quaint, specialist and souvenir shops. The Kennet and Avon Canal meanders through the centre of Newbury and connects the town directly with London and with the Bristol Avon.
The West Berkshire Museum is situated on the Canal Wharf and is housed in two of Newbury's most historic buildings, The Cloth Hall and The Corn Stores. Highclere Castle was once the home of the 5th Lord Carnarvon who together with Howard Carter in 1922 discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. If the house and the grounds look familiar this is because the very popular period drama Downton Abbey was filmed there. Once a busy industrial canal wharf, Kintbury is now a picture of tranquillity. Kintbury was the first section of the Kennet and Avon Canal to be opened and in it's heyday the canal was the main trading route between London and Bristol. Here, large quantities of iron and coke bound for the local ironworks were unloaded, as well as raw materials for nearby breweries.
Reading was made world famous by the poem The Ballard of Reading Gaol which written by Oscar Wilde after his release from the prison. The Oracle is situated in the heart of the town centre and combines chic boutiques with major department stores. The Riverside restaurants, cafés and bars stretch along both sides of the River Kennet providing an opulent dining experience. Hungerford is an unspoilt market town lying within the North Wessex Downs in Berkshire. Despite there being two rivers flowing through Hungerford, The River Kennet and The River Dun, the main waterway in Hungerford is the Kennet and Avon Canal. The 'Hungerford Arcade' is a shoppers dream and a good place to have a wander and find yourself a bargain.The town is well know for it's hospitality and there are a number of fine pubs offering good food and real ale.
Aldermaston on the Kennet and Avon canal >
Alvechurch on the Worcester and Birmingham canal >
Anderton on the Trent and Mersey canal >
Blackwater on the Llangollen canal >
Falkirk on the Forth and Clyde canal >
Gailey on the Shropshire Union canal >
Gayton on the Grand Union canal >
Goytre on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal >
Hilperton on the Kennet and Avon canal >
Kings Orchard on the Coventry canal >
March on the River Ouse canal >
Springwood Haven on the canal >
Whitchurch on the Llangollen canal >
We have canal boat hire available from Berkshire.
Search our live availability now
Email :
[email protected]
Telephone :
01395 443363