The river Pang rises on the chalk not far from Compton, and flows in
a southerly direction to near Bucklebury, where it turns eastward,
passing through a beautiful valley by way of Stanford Dingley and
Bradfield to a point near Tidmarsh. It then makes a sharp turn to
the north and joins the Thames at Pangbourne. This lower part of the
course of the Pang is worthy of study, for there is a continuous band
of river alluvium along the valley from the Thames at Pangbourne to
the Kennet at Theale. The source of the river, too, is well worthy
of investigation. In dry times it will be found in the valley near
Compton, but in wet seasons it is much further up in a branch valley
towards East Ilsley.
The Lambourn also rises on the chalk near the place of that name,
and it flows in a south-easterly direction and joins the Kennet close
to Newbury. The Pang and the Lambourn flow in chalk valleys for the
whole of their course.
The river Kennet rises in Wiltshire, enters Berkshire near Hungerford,
and flows with an easterly course by way of Kintbury, Newbury, and
Theale, finally joining the Thames close to Reading. It is a chalk
river, and obtains a considerable amount of water from springs in
the valley along its course.
The Emborne is not a chalk stream. It rises in the Inkpen district
and flows in an easterly direction, forming, as we have seen, the
county boundary for a considerable distance. Its course is almost
parallel to that of the river Kennet, the two valleys being separated
by hills or plateaux of clay, sand, and gravel. Near Brimpton the
Emborne turns sharply to the north-east, and joins the river Kennet
near Sulhampstead Bannister.
The Foudry Brook rises in a clay district of Hampshire, not far from
Silchester, and runs by way of Stratfield Mortimer and Grazeley to
the river Kennet near Reading. It is a small stream now, but there
is a good deal of alluvium along its course, showing that it was of
more importance in former times.
The river Loddon rises in Hampshire and enters Berkshire at the edge
of Strathfieldsaye Park, its direction being northerly. Soon, however,
it turns to the north-east and flows in a tolerably straight line to
join the river Thames near Wargrave.
The Blackwater rises near Aldershot and reaches Berkshire at Blackwater
Bridge, where, as we have said, the counties of Berkshire, Hampshire,
and Surrey meet. From this point the river flows in a north-west or
west direction and forms the Berkshire boundary for eight miles to a
point near Little Ford below Farley Hill. The Blackwater then turns
into Berkshire, running in a north-westerly direction to Swallowfield,
where it joins the river Loddon.
There are no natural lakes in Berkshire, though there are the deposits
of a former lake in the valley of the Kennet near Newbury.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account