Less than 24 hours moored at Pangbourne

Friday, 01 July 2011 09:16

We are not staying on the National Trust's Pangbourne Meadow for more than one night as we have to be in Reading at the weekend.

Moored looking upstream

So as we had a bit of shopping to do in the Coop, we took the opportunity to explore a bit more of the village and its amenities ......

There are maps on the notice boards around the village but have a look here at the map and facilities before you explore. Trust me, it will help!

Pangbourne Village sign

I say that because we didn't ... and I wanted to find the River Pang. I knew that it entered the River Thames below the weir, but where did it go after that? I blogged about it briefly at the end of this blog, back in May. The water voles in the Pang were said to be the inspiration for Ratty in the Wind in the Willows. 

We walked to Whitchurch Toll Bridge and then crossed the road and followed the cycle path which leads to the wharf. On the wharf there is now a rather nice block of flats, The Wharf, alongside some C17th Grade II cottages.

Whitchurch weir from the garden of The Wharf which is open to the public

Just beyond the trees the Pang enters the weir stream, but we were unable to get to the confluence. We walked to the Swan, above the Lock and weir and then back into the village under the railway bridge. The station is up to the right of the bridge - handy for commuters and day trips.

The Swan

There is a good view of the weir from beside the Swan and also upstream. The weir is rounded - I am not sure if this is unusual, but it is certainly large. The water flow was fairly sedate - a reflection of the lack of rain, I suppose.

Weir and weir pool

These swans were obligingly feeding outside their namesake - the terrace on the riverside must be a really good spot to gongoozle from!

Upstream from the weir with the Swan on the left

We discovered the River Pang again in the High Street where a bridge crosses the narrow stream. We could see a heron fishing in the river, but he very unobligingly hid in the greenery. He was in hunting mode and you can just see him in this photo if you look closely. (Click on it to open in another tab and enlarge).

Hunting heron

River Pang (downstream view) from High Street Bridge

We walked up the private road (The Moors) next to the Coop - there are some lovely cottages and houses and came to a footpath at the end. Now if we had followed this path we would have discovered the Pang again, in what looks like parkland. But we didn't, as it was nearly lunch time.

The lovely smell of wild dog roses was all around us

Eschewing The George and the three or four nice looking cafés in the High Street  and Reading Road, we walked up to the Star Inn. It is a pub that sells simple cheap food and is obviously a "local". It was good enough for us anyway! Next, it was the Coop, before the rain clouds released the threatened downpour. In the event the rain was just a few spots and we returned to Epiphany ready for a doze and a quiet afternoon!