Pangbourne to Reading 24 March 2007
Chris, Richard Szc., Hilary, Peter, Gordon, Frank and Dan Jones braved a cold, grey day with a biting wind at times to complete this stage of our journey down the Thames.
We parked adjacent to the “Adventure Dolphin” boating centre (postcode RG8 7DA, OS grid ref. SU636767), carried the boats a short way across a grass field, and got on the river a little downstream of Whitchurch Bridge.
On this 8.5 mile stretch we passed only two locks, at Mapledurham and Caversham. In fact, the locks were in danger of being out-numbered by riverside canoe shops – we were able to spend plenty of time checking out the kit in Berkshire Canoes at Scours Lane, Tilehurst and at Marsport at the get-out on the other side of Reading.
Just before reaching the get-out we made a brief excursion up the Kennet and Avon Canal, as far as the first lock.
There is a car park adjacent to the get-out and Marsport and Woking Canoe Club (postcode RG6 1PQ, OS grid ref. SU736740). This is just beyond the end of the A3290 (leave the M4 at junction 10).
I think we probably had dinner in the Swan at Pangbourne. I know we have used it at least once and we were favourably impressed
Chris's pictures
