Rivers 

Enjoy the charms of messing about on the river

The scenery around Reading is some of the best you will find anywhere in the south – from pretty Thameside villages to the inspiring beauty of the Chilterns, the scenery is always changing and always to be admired. Reading grew between two great rivers - the Thames and Kennet – so life on the waterways has always been important to us.

The majestic Thames comes through the town just north of the town centre, on its way from Henley to Oxford. The Kennet flows through the heart of The Oracle Shopping and Leisure Centre and on, past some of the most historic parts of the town centre. The Kennet provides the source for the famous Kennet and Avon Canal – which links Reading with the sea at Bristol.    
 
Boating holidays, short cruises and boat hire are always popular, and for the more active you can try your hand at canoeing, or even jet-skiing, water-skiing and wind-surfing on the large lakes just outside of Reading.

National Trails

For those who love walking Reading is a natural starting point for both the Thames Path and Ridgeway National Trails. The Thames Path is some 184 miles stretching from the Cotswolds to Greenwich, and offers plenty of options for short, picturesque walks around Reading. The Ridgeway is an ancient bridle way – easily reached from Reading, offering challenging walks from Streatley. A Ridgeway Explorer bus operates on Sundays between April and October allowing easy access to all parts of the historic trail.

More leisurely strolls can be enjoyed around central Reading. You can follow the Heritage Walk around our historic heart (self guide yourself on the route using our Walk leaflet), or set off on foot to explore the natural treasures of Waterloo and Kennet Meadows, Prospect Park, King’s Meadow and Thames Valley Park.

Angling

Fishing, said to be the country’s top participator sport, is great in Reading. Free fishing is available throughout the Borough of Reading, often without pre-booking, but this will be affected by match days. If you are planning to fish in the Reading area talk to the Reading Angling Centre (0118) 987 2216 for advice.  Cleaner waterways have brought more fish, of all varieties, back into both the Thames and Kennet – they in turn have brought more wildlife, with otters seen in the area, Kingfishers thriving and many rare species finding their way back into east Berkshire.

Romantic River Thames

Reading’s connection with the Crown was partly thanks to its location on the Thames. It was easily accessible from London, Richmond and Windsor via the great river, so became a natural stopping off point and an important strategic base. Nowadays the river has little value for communication, so has regained its natural beauty, with wildlife returning in significant numbers to its clean water. The river is now a magnet for leisure activity of all kinds – boating, cruising, sports and events.

As part of a weekend break a leisurely afternoon cruise to nearby Henley, Mapledurham or Beale Park is a highlight, or enjoy the action of the various regattas, canoe races and other events which are a regular feature of the summer months. You may even make the river your host for the weekend by renting a cruiser or barge for a few nights and exploring the best of the Thames from the water.