Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 50 on the Kennet and Avon Canal

About the location

Base 50 is well positioned for cruising both the Kennet and Avon Canal and the River Thames. It is about 8 miles west of Reading just off the A4 road.

This family run boatyard on the Kennet and Avon Canal has been building and hiring out superb narrowboats for over 35 years - success based on personal service and experience.

Boats are available for short breaks, week hire and longer.

Routes from this base

Your holiday isn't tied to a specific route. You simply hire a boat for the time you choose, then explore the canals however you like. Our short-break, week, and two week routes are just ideas to help you plan your ideal canal holiday.

Short break routes (3 - 4 nights)

Follow the Kennet and Avon canal west through picturesque Newbury to Kintbury and on to Hungerford

Kintbury and Return • 28 miles • 34 locks • 16hrs
Hungerford and Return • 32 miles • 44 locks • 28hrs

One week routes

Pewsey and Return

59 miles • 90 locks • 62 hours • 18 swing bridges • 2 lift bridges • 62 hours

Follow the Kennet and Avon further west through a mixture of locks, swing and lift bridges through Newbury and the antique shops of Hungerford. See the Crofton Pump Station with the world's oldest working Beam Engine before turning at Pewsey.

Windsor and Return via the River Thames

80 miles • 46 locks • 37 hours

Travel east and join the River Thames at Reading and cruise downstream to Windsor. See Henley, famous for its Regatta, riverside Marlow, Bray with the Roux brothers restaurant, to Windsor with its famous Castle and Legoland theme park.

Oxford and Return via the River Thames

100 miles • 50 locks • 46 hours

Travel east and join the River Thames at Reading and cruise upstream through the riverside towns of Pangbourne, Goring, Wallingford and Abingdon to Oxford, its colleges, castle, theatres and shops.

Two week routes

Bath and Return

133 miles • 178 locks • 82 hours

Travel west along the Kennet and Avon canal to Devizes and down the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks (timed opening) to reach ancient Bradford on Avon and the Georgian city of Bath with its Roman Baths and elegant shops.

River Thames

219 miles • 94 locks • 95 hours

Travel east and join the River Thames at Reading the downstream to Hampton Court and upstream to Oxford and on to Lechlade in the Cotswolds, the upper Thames limit of navigation.

We would not advise first timers to cruise from any routes that involve going on the River Thames from Aldermaston as the River can be quite daunting for beginners, i.e. The Grand Ring, Limehouse & Return, Windsor & Return, Oxford & Return.