A. Put in from Newbury Wharf and turn right, paddling away, with the slight flow of the canal, from the Visitor Centre. A boat yard is passed before you arrive at Greenham Lock. Portage on the left, and put back in either just before the bridge, or cross the bridge and put in from the moorings below.

B. The canal becomes more countrified before then Ham Lock is reached, with a very low bridge ahead. Both have to be portaged on the right, even though the towpath is on the left here.

C. Now you are back on the river, with pleasant meanders. The river goes right, and you left, into the navigation, and Widmead Lock.

D. After this is a paddle into Thatcham, with Monkey Marsh Lock before the village, and a low footbridge which might not have enough height in low water. A portage is on the right.

E. If you prefer a shorter paddle of around 4 miles, Thatcham is an optional place to stop. The railway station is nearby with a pay car park.

F. The route then takes in Colthrop Lock after another half mile, followed by Midgham Lock, also a half mile after.

G. Two low footbridges are between Midgham and the next two locks, Heals, and Woolhampton, which might require portaging. Woolhampton has a lovely public house.

H. There follows a section of nice river with flow and meanders, before a left turn (at Old Mill) towards Aldermaston Wharf, a section lined with trees. Aldermaston Lock, your finish point, has beautifully scalloped edges. It was built by John Hore in the early 1700s, and re-built about 1750.