River Thames in ReadingClick on a photo for a large version. |
Reading is centred on the River Kennet rather than the Thames, which means that a walk along the Thames can be surprisingly rural. We did a walk along the Thames, starting at Reading Bridge, then back along the Kennet.
Caversham is on the Thames, and there is a beautiful view from Caversham garden.
The view from Reading bridge shows Christchurch bridge. There was also some graffiti (which is probably temporary).
This is by Reading bridge, on the north bank of the Thames. We saw it after crossing the bridge, on the way to View Island. The notice says "Reading Ultrasonic Flow Station constructed 1992. This ultrasonic flow gauging station is one of several along the River Thames that have been installed to continually measure the river's water flow and level. The information gained is used primarily in the management of water resources and for forecasting and warning of floods. Flows at this point may range from less than 9 cubic metres per second under low flow conditions to over 200 cubic metres per second during flooding." The readout says 9.52, so not close to flooding!
You can get onto View Island, walk across it, then off it to De Bohun Island, via Caversham Weir.
This is definitely exciting! It is a hydro-electricity scheme run by a Community Benefit Society. Click on the first photo to read about it.
This is the building, and murals, as seen from View Island, near Hills Meadow.
This shows the building from the other side of the Thames, on De Bohun Island, near Kings Meadow.
This shows the turbines.
This shows the other side of the weir.
This is between De Bohum Island and the south bank of the Thames.
We had intended to walk along the Thames to Kennetmouth. But Reading had closed the footpath (an occasional hazrd in Reading!) So we walked back to Kings Meadow Road, and through Kings Meadow, rejoining the riverside path when we were allowed to. There is a choice of paths, either along the riverbank, or through Coal Woodland. But the woodland path was bare earth, and it all looked rather over-grown, and we were getting a bit tired by now and didn't want to get lost! So we stuck to the river, an excellent path. In the last photo, you can just see Horseshoe Bridge appearing.
The walk ends at the Horseshoe bridge. This, and the railway bridge behind, are listed grade II. "Railway Bridge and Attached Accommodation Bridge over River Kennet. Railway bridge 1839-1840 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for The Great Western Railway". They seem a bit vague about who built the Horseshoe Bridge (and when), but it's part of the listing. It's called the Horseshoe bridge from its shape, although you can only see half of it from the photos.
© Jo Edkins 2024