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A black and white image of the charming cottages which sit next to the swing bridge over the River Kennet in the heart of Newbury, West Berkshire. This is the West Mills area where once there were corn mills utilising the power of the water to drive their wheels. Here the Kennet Navigation is about to become the Kennet and Avon Canal taking us to Bath and Bristol. Behind us, Newbury's Town Lock leads us eastwards to Reading and the Thames.

Highclere Castle which was used for the filming of the TV and movie series Downton Abbey in Hampshire England United Kingdom photography by Andy Evans Photos

Highclere Castle which was used for the filming of the TV and movie series Downton Abbey in Hampshire England United Kingdom photography by Andy Evans Photos

Highclere Castle which was used for the filming of the TV and movie series Downton Abbey in Hampshire England United Kingdom photography by Andy Evans Photos

A digital art view of a riverside scene at Cookham in Berkshire. The late winter sunshine warms up the scene with a family feeding swans under the gold of a willow tree. Cookham, a Thames beauty spot was also home to the artist Sir Stanley Spencer who could be seen wheeling a pram laden with his paining materials round the village and riverside - the inspiration for much of his work. He is buried in the local churchyard.

The church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Hampstead Norreys in West Berkshire. This lovely church sits in the centre of the village next to the road which leads to Newbury. It's a Grade 1 listed Norman church close to the remains of a motte-and-bailey Norman castle. A blue plaque in the churchyard tells us that the village was recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Hanstede'. The church, dating from the C12th was largely rebuilt in the C13th. The tower is C15th.

A corner of the village of Cookham which lies on the banks of the River Thames in the north east of Berkshire, England. Here stands Holy Trinity, the village's parish church with the entrance to the churchyard flanked by half timbered cottages. The church dates from the C12th with additions being added during the C13th. Sir Stanley Spencer, the renowned artist (1891-1959) who lived in the village, set many of his paintings in the locality, the churchyard being the setting of 'The Resurrection' (1924-7). Nikon 7100

The churchyard of Holy Trinity Church in the Thameside village of Cookham in the north-east corner of Berkshire, England. Captured on a sunny but cold and breezy day in early springtime, snowdrops are scattered among the tombstones. The church dates from the C12th with additions added during the C13th. Sir Stanley Spencer, the renowned artist (1891-1959) who lived in the village, set many of his paintings in the locality, this churchyard being the setting of 'The Resurrection' (1924-7). Nikon 7100; Nikkor 18-200VR

A view of the north side and tower of Holy Trinity Church in the village of Cookham in the north east corner of Berkshire, England. The church dates from the C12th with additions added during the C13th. Sir Stanley Spencer, the renowned artist (1891-1959) who lived in the village, set many of his paintings in the locality, this churchyard being the setting of 'The Resurrection' (1924-7). This image was captured on a bright and breezy afternoon in early springtime. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

Holy Trinity Church, the parish church of Cookham in the north-east corner of Berkshire, England on the banks of the River Thames. Here it is viewed across the churchyard on a February afternoon with snowdrops scattered between the tombstones, The church dates from the C12th with additions added during the C13th. Sir Stanley Spencer, the renowned artist (1891-1959) who lived in the village, set many of his paintings in the locality, this churchyard being the setting of 'The Resurrection' (1924-7). Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The church of St Nicholas in the village of Sulham in West Berkshire, England. It forms a third of the joint parish of Pangbourne, Tidmarsh and Sulham. The church is in the centre of the village standing next to Sulham House. Originally dating from the C13th , it was rebuilt between 1836 and 1838 by Rev John Wilder, vice provost of Eton College who lived in Sulham House. Originally the tower was topped by a tall spire but this was removed in 1959. In early spring the churchyard is awash with crocuses. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

A frosty December morning at Hungerford in West Berkshire by the Kennet and Avon Canal. The sun has lit up the old canal bridge where a distant figure is walking along the towpath towards the Wharf. Hungerford is a picturesque market town near the border with Wiltshire and is well known for its many antique shops. Ahead the waterway takes us on to Bath and Bristol whilst behind us lie Reading and the Thames. Digital art from my original photograph.

Vicarage Bridge, a fine single arched brick footbridge, spans the Kennet and Avon Canal at Kintbury in West Berkshire. It leads from the towpath to the parish church of St Mary and the village itself. On the towpath side of the bridge's brickwork are two railway tracks seen on the left hand side in the image. These were put in place to strengthen the whole structure. The bridge dates from c1810 and was designed by the noted engineer John Rennie.

A narrowboat waiting just below Blake's Lock on the River Kennet at Kennetside, in Reading, Berkshire. Blake's Lock is the first (or last) lock on the waterway. This stretch has been navigable since medieval times and was once an important supply route to mighty Reading Abbey - the abbot being the river's controller. Despite being on the Kennet, this lock is managed as part of the Thames although still manually operated.

Looking south across the River Thames from the Buckinghamshire bank to the parish church of All Saints at Bisham in Berkshire, England. The church dates from the 12th century, the squat Norman tower being built around 1175. The buildings were extended over the following years, particularly by the Hoby family who lived in nearby Bisham Abbey. Walking along the Thames Path between Marlow and Henley on Thames, the buildings of both the church and abbey can be seen only a short distance from Marlow.

Reading Bridge, a concrete single-span bridge connecting the town of Reading in Berkshire, England, with Caversham on the north bank of the River Thames. Originally there was just one bridge, Caversham Bridge, just further upstream, crossing the Thames at Reading but as the main town absorbed the village of Caversham in the early 1900s, a new bridge was deemed necessary and this structure was finally opened in 1923. In the distance is Caversham Lock and weir as the river heads towards Sonning and Henley. Nikon 7100 Nikkor 18-200

Caversham bridge, built in 1926, spanning the River Thames at Reading in Berkshire, England. It connects Reading with Caversham on the river's north bank. There has been a bridge here since the 1100s and in 1231 it is mentioned by Henry III who notes the presence of a chapel on the bridge on the side owned by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke. There was a skirmish here during the Civil War when the Reading side had a wooden drawbridge which was later painted by JMW Turner. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The Kennet and Avon Canal as it makes its way westwards out of Newbury in West Berkshire. Here it joins with the River Kennet which at one time provided the water to power the corn and woollen mills along here. Newbury was renowned for its woollen industry and just ahead here is a row of weavers' cottages from the earlier days of cottage industry. The canal was used to transport wool, woollen goods as well as other commodities east to London via the Thames or west to Bath and Bristol.

Seen from the bridge by Newbury Wharf, the River Kennet, here part of the Kennet and Avon Canal, as it flows through Newbury on its way to Reading and the Thames. Newbury is a bustling market town and is the administrative centre of West Berkshire. The Kennet and Avon Canal or Kennet Navigation was begun in 1718 under the supervision of John Hore of Newbury and in 1724 the section between Reading and Newbury was opened. The remainder of the length to Bristol was completed between 1794 and 1810 under the surveyor John Rennie.The canal fell into decline with the coming of the Great Western Railway. However, following a restoration project in the mid-1900s, it was fully reopened to traffic in 1990. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

A selection of canal boats moored for the winter just above the lock at Aldermaston on the Kennet and Avon. This image was captured on a fine afternoon in early February just before the sun went down. The Kennet and Avon Canal, 87 miles long, was constructed between 1794 and 1810 to link the Kennet and Avon rivers and thus provide a smooth transport link between Bristol and London via Reading and the Thames. It fell into disuse due to the switch to rail transport and the rise of the Great Western Railway which runs alongside the canal here. It was, however, completely restored from the mid-1900s and the full length fully reopened in 1990. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The River Pang as it flows through the village of Tidmarsh in West Berkshire. The view here is just below historic Tidmarsh Mill, the home of Lytton Strachey and Dora Carrington between 1917 and 1924. Here the artists and writers of the Bloomsbury set would meet. The River Pang, one of England's ecologically valued chalk streams, starts its life on the Berkshire Downs near Compton (depending on rainfall!) and supports a wide variety of wildlife.

The church of St Andrew's in Chaddleworth, West Berkshire, England, seen in early spring. There was a church here in Saxon times and some stones from then can apparently be found at the base of the tower. However, the building as we see it is mainly Norman with 13th century additions. The south door is a superb example of decorated Norman work.The village of Chaddleworth lies on the southern slopes of the Berkshire (North Wessex) downs on the A338 which runs between Hungerford and Wantage.

Standing on the banks of the River Thames at Eton and looking across to the town of Windsor with its historic royal castle dominating the skyline. There has been a castle here since the time of William I and it started its life as a royal residence in the early 1100s uder Henry 1. The river has always played an important part in Windsor's life, having been the main route to London until roads eventually improved. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to travel to her castle by train. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The view looking upstream towards the lock at Sonning-on-Thames in Berkshire. The first pound lock here dates from 1773, this present one being constructed in 1905. Sonning is a picturesque village just further downstream from the major town of Reading, and was described by Jerome K Jerome in 'Three Men In A Boat' as 'the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river' The village is now home to a number of celebrities.

A pair of narrowboats heading upstream on the Thames and passing through Boulters Lock in Maidenhead, Berkshire.This historic lock was originally calles Ray Mill Lock after the watermill next door (now a restaurant), the first lock keeper being the miller's son John. The lock is probably best known through the painting 'Boulters Lock Sunday Afternoon' by Edward Joihn Gregory (1895) showing a mass of skiffs and punts heading into the lock chamber.

Standing under Reading Bridge which spans the River Thames, looking towards the northern, Caversham bank. This is a concrete single-span bridge connecting the town of Reading in Berkshire with Caversham. Originally there was just one bridge in the town - Caversham Bridge, - just further upstream. But as the main town absorbed the village of Caversham in the early 1900s, a new bridge was needed and this structure was finally opened in 1923. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

Viewed from the Thames Path long-distance trail - the bridge over the Thames at Goring. This bridge, carrying the B4009 road connects the two villages of Streatley in Berkshire with Goring in Oxfordshire. The present bridge was built in 1923 and replaced an earlier one dating from 1837 which was constructed of timber. This also forms the river crossing section of both the Ridgeway and the Thames Path. Just upstream here can be seen Goring Lock.

Four leg good. Two legs better.

Narrowboats and houseboats moored just downstream from Newbury in, Berkshire, on the Kennet and Avon Canal. This section of the canal - or navigation (combined river and canal) began its construction in 1718 under the supervision of engineer John Hore of Newbury and in 1724 the section between Reading and Newbury was opened. The remainder of the length to Bristol was completed between 1794 and 1810. The canal fell into disuse due to the coming of the railway but was restored and fully reopened in 1990. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The scene on the River Kennet, here part of the Kennet and Avon Canal at Newbury in Berkshire - just downstream from the Wharf and road bridge. Here there are a number of boatyards, now in March getting ready for summer hiring. This section of the canal - or navigation (combined river and canal) began its construction in 1718 under the supervision of engineer John Hore of Newbury and in 1724 the section between Reading and Newbury was opened The remainder to Bristol was built between 1794 and 1810. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Hampstead Norreys in West Berkshire depicted as an oil painting. This lovely church sits in the centre of the village next to the road which leads to Newbury. It's a Grade 1 listed Norman church close to the remains of a motte-and-bailey Norman castle. A blue plaque in the churchyard tells us that the village was recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Hanstede'. The church, dating from the C12th was largely rebuilt in the C13th. The tower is C15th.

Hungerford Wharf on the Kennet and Avon Canal in West Berkshire, seen from the towpath on the town bank of the waterway. Always a good place for the local ducks as they often get fed here! This was captured on a bright sunny day in late November, A peaceful scene now, but in the past this would have been a hive of industry with canal boats loading and unloading goods such as Bath stone for building, agricultural produce and equipment, coal and general goods.

The River Thames as it flows between the villages of Streatley in Berkshire, England to the south and Goring in Oxfordshire to the north. This is a break between the North Wessex (Berkshire) Downs and the Chiltern Hills known as the Goring Gap. This is the view looking west from the bridge. Moored on the left is one of the old Oxford College barges - now an events venue for the hotel on the river bank. To the right the Thames rushes over the weir, boats passing through the lock. This is a popular scene with artists. Nikon 7100 Nikkor 18-200

A footbridge inviting us to cross over the River Pang at Tidmarsh, West Berkshire. Once over we can pass through the gate into the meadows and walk to Sulham. To our right is historic Tidmarsh Mill, once home to Lytton Strachey and Dora Carrington. To the left the river flows on to meet the Thames at Pangbourne. The Pang, one of England's ecologically valued chalk streams, starts its life on the Berkshire Downs near Compton (depending on rainfall!) and supports a wide variety of wildlife.

County Lock on the River Kennet is very close to the centre of Reading. It is notable for having the lowest fall of any lock on the Kennet and Avon - only 1 foot! Looking across the river here we can see the site of the old Simonds Brewery - once a major industry in the town. All that remains is the stable block - its old roof a convenient resting place for pigeons and gulls! A little further on the river narrows as it flows through the shopping centre - apparently tricky to navigate! The Kennet Navigation and canal was constructed between 1794 and 1810 to link Bristol with the Thames and London, the brewery making full use of this highway. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The parish church of St Mary in the Thames-side village of Streatley in Berkshire, England. It lies very near the river and is almost next to the bridge linking Streatley with Goring. The church dates from the 13th century but was largely rebuilt in the mid 1800s as it was becoming rather dilapidated. However, many of the original building materials were used such as stone and the flint used for facing. At this time the nave roof was heightened and the clerestory windows added to give more light. Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200