Kennet & Avon Cycle Route 3
Route facts
Waterways:
Kennet & Avon Canal »
Distance: 26.72 / 43
Difficulty: Moderate
Starts at: Marsh Benham, near Newbury
Ends at: Reading
Enjoy canalside cycling through the Berkshire countryside.The final stage of the Kennet & Avon Cycle Route runs along the canal on a specially upgraded, traffic-free path from Newbury to Reading.
The Kennet & Avon Cycle Route is Britain's most popular long-distance waterside cycle route. This third and final section will take you from Marsh Benham, near bustling Newbury, along the canal and River Kennet to the commercial centre of Reading.Cycling is permitted throughout the length of the canal, except for a few short sections near Reading. However, the canal is also very popular with walkers, anglers and boaters. At busy times, this can result in inconvenience.In order to try and ensure that all users are able to enjoy using the canal, several sections of the towpath - including the whole length from Marsh Benham to Reading - have been improved as part of a partnership scheme between British Waterways, cycling organisation Sustrans, and local councils. The result is a wider path with a surface that is more suitable for cyclists and disabled users.Cyclists are therefore recommended to follow the signposts for National Cycle Network Route 4, which we describe with the maps below. This combines the improved sections of the towpath with diversions along rural lanes where the towpath is less suitable. This applies particularly if you are using bicycles with relatively narrow tyres, which are mainly designed for road use.The other lengths of towpath can be narrow, sometimes muddy and uneven in places. Passing walkers and anglers will be more difficult, making the experience less enjoyable for all users.Please remember that everyone else on the canal will be travelling at 4mph or even slower. This is not a cycle route for speed merchants! You should be prepared to slow down or dismount for walkers and anglers, and should cycle with extra care when passing moored boats.But even at this relaxed pace, the whole length of the canal can be covered in three days, and accommodation is available in many locations along the way.Courtesy and Safety Code for cyclists using the canal* Give way to others, particularly walkers and wheelchair users on the towpath and warn them of your approach. A polite 'hello' and 'thank you' mean a lot.* Watch out for anglers' tackle and give them time to move it before you try to pass. It can be expensive!* We recommend that you do not cycle along the towpaths after dark. If you do, please use front and rear lights, and look out for mooring ropes and pegs where boats are tied up.* Fit a bell to your bike and use it to warn others of your approach.* Access paths can be steep or slippery. Join or leave the towpath with care.* You must get off and push your cycle beneath low or blind bridges, and where the path is very narrow.* Do not cycle too fast on the towpath. Remember that the standard speed for boaters and walkers is under 4mph. If you need to get somewhere quickly, use a road. The detailed maps below are reproduced from Ordnance Survey material, Crown Copyright (British Waterways Board BW10019843 2004). Maps produced by FWT 11.5.04.
Getting there
Public transport: The Cycle Route is easily reached from London by rail. From Kintbury to Reading, the Kennet Valley railway line runs alongside the canal with a station on average every four miles.
Waypoints
The cycle route rejoins the towpath at Marsh Benham. After passing under a cavernous new bridge under the A34 Newbury bypass, it enters the suburbs of the town.
The route follows Northcroft Lane, north of the canal, from Northcroft Footbridge to Town Bridge in the centre of Newbury. It then rejoins the canal towpath until Hambridge Road Bridge. Follow the Route 4 signs from here - the canal towpath on this section is narrow and uneven in places.
Continue to follow the Route 4 signs along traffic-calmed roads and purpose-built cycle paths. The route rejoins the canal by Thatcham station.
The towpath swaps sides regularly along this section. Between Wickham Knight Footbridge and Froudes Bridge, near Woolhampton (after Midgham station), the towpath is in private ownership and cycling is not permitted. Please dismount and walk along this short section of approximately 600 metres. From Ufton Bridge to Sulhamstead Lock, take extra care - the towpath has an uneven grassed surface, across open fields in places.
Continue along the towpath. Immediately after the M4 bridge, a short diversion is required, as the towpath on the north bank is not suitable for cycling. Follow the signed Route 4 along a quiet road away from the canal to the south, rejoining at Swan's Bridge, Burghfield.
As you approach Reading, the official signed Route 4 leaves the canal at Rose Kiln Lane Bridge, on the south-eastern side just after the A33 main road crossing. However, you may follow the alternative cycle route along the towpath. Take care past the Oracle Shopping Centre, where the path is likely to be extremely busy, especially at weekends. The Kennet & Avon Cycle Route ends at the junction with the River Thames, from where you can continue along Route 4 to London, or head north on Route 5 to Oxford.
Other stages
Kennet & Avon Cycle Route 3
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