RoutesRoad cycling routesUnited KingdomEnglandSouth East EnglandHampshireBasingstoke And DeaneTadley
Douai Abbey – The Rowbarge loop from Heath End
RoutesRoad cycling routesUnited KingdomEnglandSouth East EnglandHampshireBasingstoke And DeaneTadley
Douai Abbey – The Rowbarge loop from Heath End
Easy
9
riders
Douai Abbey – The Rowbarge loop from Heath End
01:27
33.9km
240m
Road cycling
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 21, 2026
Tips
Includes movable bridges
Check opening times.
After 18.0 km for 15 m
After 28.0 km for 14 m
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
6.37 km
Stone Cross Monument and Fountain in Aldermaston
Highlight • Historical Site
Interesting and found on the junction with church road and in front of some impressive gates. Just not sure what it is marking?
Tip by
2
6.40 km
North East Lodges and Gates to Aldermaston Court
Highlight • Monument
I was not expecting these...
Historic England tells me (historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1117332) that these are the "North East Lodges and Gates to Aldermaston Court", Grade II* Listed since 25 October 1951.
From the same site I learn that these are circa 1636, 2 lodges with gates between, once one house. The lodges once formed part of a U-plan house from which the centre has been removed. The wrought iron gates came from Midgham House in early C19.
Upon further research, Wikipedia tells me (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldermaston_Court) that after Aldermaston Court changed hands in 1780 and passed to William Congreve, many changes occurred, including: "The wrought-iron Eagle Gates, at the north-west of the estate, were won at a game of cards so taken from Midgham. To install them, the estate's north-west lodge (a dower house) was dissected (removing the 60 square metres (650 sq ft) centre section)."
When I saw these buildings with the iron gates in-between I was struck by their unusual architecture, with the square facades made interesting by the matching semi-circular front top (the actual roof being a conventional gable roof, from what I can see through Google Earth).
Once I stopped to take their picture, though, I was truly saddened by their poor state, almost feeling a tear in my soul at the sight of something so unique, of historical value and certainly once loved and lived in, in such a dilapidated state.
According to the West Berkshire Council website (publicaccess.westberks.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=relatedCases&keyVal=OCGTM3RD0IP00) back in 2016 an application was made to renovate these and other parts of the Aldermaston Court estate, but some of the applications for conversion were rejected, so I can only assume that the whole project was put aside.
Historic England tells me (historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1117332) that these are the "North East Lodges and Gates to Aldermaston Court", Grade II* Listed since 25 October 1951.
From the same site I learn that these are circa 1636, 2 lodges with gates between, once one house. The lodges once formed part of a U-plan house from which the centre has been removed. The wrought iron gates came from Midgham House in early C19.
Upon further research, Wikipedia tells me (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldermaston_Court) that after Aldermaston Court changed hands in 1780 and passed to William Congreve, many changes occurred, including: "The wrought-iron Eagle Gates, at the north-west of the estate, were won at a game of cards so taken from Midgham. To install them, the estate's north-west lodge (a dower house) was dissected (removing the 60 square metres (650 sq ft) centre section)."
When I saw these buildings with the iron gates in-between I was struck by their unusual architecture, with the square facades made interesting by the matching semi-circular front top (the actual roof being a conventional gable roof, from what I can see through Google Earth).
Once I stopped to take their picture, though, I was truly saddened by their poor state, almost feeling a tear in my soul at the sight of something so unique, of historical value and certainly once loved and lived in, in such a dilapidated state.
According to the West Berkshire Council website (publicaccess.westberks.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=relatedCases&keyVal=OCGTM3RD0IP00) back in 2016 an application was made to renovate these and other parts of the Aldermaston Court estate, but some of the applications for conversion were rejected, so I can only assume that the whole project was put aside.
Tip by
3
6.95 km
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Aldermaston
Highlight • Religious Site
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Aldermaston is the Church of England parish church of Aldermaston in Berkshire. The church, which is dedicated to St Mary, dates from the mid-12th century and has examples of Norman and Jacobean architecture. The building has had a number of extensions, particularly in the 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th centuries.
Cit. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Mary_the_Virgin,_Aldermaston
Cit. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Mary_the_Virgin,_Aldermaston
Tip by
7.95 km
The Birches
Forest
5
26.2 km
St Mary's Catholic Church, Upper Woolhampton
Highlight • Religious Site
St Mary’s is of considerable historic interest as the only executed work in England by George Jonas Wigley, a significant figure in nineteenth century Catholic life and ecclesiology. While the building is architecturally unremarkable, the west front is an impressive, if quirky design. The interior is altered, but contains furnishings by Pugin and glass by Hardman and Wailes.
[...] The present church was built [in 1932] also through the efforts of Canon Dambrine, parish priest from 1829 until his death in 1855. He lies buried in the chapel to the north of the chancel, where there is a memorial tablet to him. The site was given in 1846 by Arthur, Earl of Fingal, and the architect for the new church was George Jonas Wigley, a pupil of J. J. Scoles. It was opened by Bishop (later Cardinal) Wiseman on 11 May 1848.
The design of the church is said to have been modelled on the Archbishop’s palace and chapel at Croydon, which Wigley considered to be the last church to be built in Catholic England. Wigley is perhaps now little-known, but he is a figure of considerable interest, and some significance in the Catholic scene of the mid-nineteenth century.
Cit. taking-stock.org.uk/building/woolhampton-st-mary
[...] The present church was built [in 1932] also through the efforts of Canon Dambrine, parish priest from 1829 until his death in 1855. He lies buried in the chapel to the north of the chancel, where there is a memorial tablet to him. The site was given in 1846 by Arthur, Earl of Fingal, and the architect for the new church was George Jonas Wigley, a pupil of J. J. Scoles. It was opened by Bishop (later Cardinal) Wiseman on 11 May 1848.
The design of the church is said to have been modelled on the Archbishop’s palace and chapel at Croydon, which Wigley considered to be the last church to be built in Catholic England. Wigley is perhaps now little-known, but he is a figure of considerable interest, and some significance in the Catholic scene of the mid-nineteenth century.
Cit. taking-stock.org.uk/building/woolhampton-st-mary
Tip by
6
26.3 km
Douai Abbey
Highlight • Historical Site
Nice decent from here to Woolhampton, be careful at the bottom with the junction with A4. If coming from A4 you have a decent climb which starts off tough but eases the further up you go.
Tip by
7
28.1 km
The Rowbarge
Highlight • Pub
Nice and friendly country pub on the Kennet and Avon canal (as well as National Cycle Network Route 4), this is one of my favourite places in Berkshire.
This pub can be easily reached by bike from Reading avoiding traffic via the canal towpath (which is where NCN Route 4 runs, just beware of some stretches were the path is uneven and needs to be treaded with some caution) and is set in a beautiful spot with a huge beer garden that is great for those Summer barbecues.
In fact, on those warm Summer days I would recommend an easy ride along the canal to treat yourself to a nice Sunday roast and a couple of pints, followed by another easy ride back to town.
The food is nice and warming and reasonably priced, dogs are welcome indoors in the bar area and in the garden and the staff are friendly.
Bike racks to lock your bikes are also present, but they are on the road at the front rather than hidden away at the back, so not the safest of places if you are visiting in the evening and sitting indoors.
This pub can be easily reached by bike from Reading avoiding traffic via the canal towpath (which is where NCN Route 4 runs, just beware of some stretches were the path is uneven and needs to be treaded with some caution) and is set in a beautiful spot with a huge beer garden that is great for those Summer barbecues.
In fact, on those warm Summer days I would recommend an easy ride along the canal to treat yourself to a nice Sunday roast and a couple of pints, followed by another easy ride back to town.
The food is nice and warming and reasonably priced, dogs are welcome indoors in the bar area and in the garden and the staff are friendly.
Bike racks to lock your bikes are also present, but they are on the road at the front rather than hidden away at the back, so not the safest of places if you are visiting in the evening and sitting indoors.
Tip by
B
33.9 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
32.7 km
631 m
468 m
133 m
Surfaces
31.6 km
2.31 km
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Elevation
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Highest point (120 m)
Lowest point (50 m)
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Weather
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Saturday 27 June
24°C
13°C
18 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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