Aldermaston Wharf

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Aldermaston Wharf
latitude= 51.4
longitude= -1.136
civil_parish=
population =
unitary_england= West Berkshire
region= South East England
lieutenancy_england= Berkshire
constituency_westminster=
post_town=
postcode_district = RG7
postcode_area= RG
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= SU602671

Aldermaston Wharf is a small settlement situated convert|1.5|mi|km|lk=on north-northwest of Aldermaston in the West Berkshire district, part of the English county of Berkshire. The Kennet and Avon Canal and Great Western Railway pass through it and Aldermaston railway station and Aldermaston Lock are located here. The A4 road runs just to the north of the village. Aldermaston Wharf Visitor Centre owned by British Waterways has a cafe and a canal cottage furnished to the period of the canal's construction.

Nearby are the towns of Newbury, Thatcham and Reading. Neighbouring villages are Aldermaston, Midgham, Beenham, Woolhampton and Padworth. Aldermaston Wharf falls within three parishes: namely Padworth, Aldermaston and Beenham.

The River Kennet was made navigable between Reading and Newbury and opened as the Kennet Navigation in 1723. A wharf was constructed here (to the immediate east of the current lift bridge) and a trading community developed around it. In addition carpenters were required to service the locks and bridges. On completion of the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1810 local trade flourished even more with exports of timber products, malt and flour and imports of coal, groceries and manufactured goods. When the Great Western Railway bought the canal in the 1850s a canal spur was constructed to the railway sidings to allow transfer of goods between canal and rail. Some of this has now been infilled. Aldermaston Lock information board ]

Strange's Brewery was sited just south of the lock. In the late 18th century the brewery was owned by Francis Strange. The brewery was sold in 1952 and demolished.

References