We love and care for your canals and rivers, because everyone deserves a place to escape.

  2. Places to visit

Reading

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Planning your visit

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Local events

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History & heritage

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Things to do & see

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Getting here

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Planning your visit

Address: The Oracle Riverside carpark (P&D), Reading, RG1 2AG View on Google map

Price: Once you're parked up, it won't cost you a thing

Toilets: There are public toilets in the shopping centre

The Kennet & Avon Canal is famed for its scenic beauty and magnificent examples of canal engineering. It sweeps through Readings regenerated city centre where County Lock is now a haven in the heart of Reading's busy shopping and cinema district.

Things to do and see

Places to eat:

Picnic spots:

There are plenty of grassy areas to have a picnic beside Country Lock

Trails:

  • Heritage Walk - from The Oracle follow along Chestnut Walk, taking in Chocolate Island, where Huntley & Palmer's biscuit factory once stood, Reading Gaol, where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned, and the Abbey ruins

Wildlife spotting:

The city benefits from having the canal run through it bringing lots of wildlife, particularly water birds

Getting here

By car - there is parking in the city centre and a pay & display at the Horse and Barge for patrons

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