Selby Canal

For a short child friendly ride follow the canal out of town.  Join at the lock where the Selby canal meets the River Ouse and head along the towpath.  Plenty to see, anglers, boats and wildlife.  Lovely.

Kennet and Avon Canal : Hungerford to Reading

This is a lovely section to cycle overall.  Aside from the simple navigation the peace and quiet was lovely.  Plenty of narrowboats to look at, a few canoeists were out and plenty of folk out for a leisurely walk.  

The going is generally good, though it had been dry before my trip along - what's it like in a wet winter is unknown to me! I was fully loaded with four panniers and just about comfortable to put my bike through the route.  Some of the path is narrow, many many tree routes and 5 and 6 inch rises to get onto some of the bridges.  This isn't a route for your best road bike, you need something that can roll with the terrain.

Newbury is a decent stop off point for a break, plenty of shops and cafes a minute or so from the canal.  Highly recommend the Bara Brith at Aldermaston tea shop! 

As you get towards Reading the path was a little littered but seen far worse.