"The most fairy-like nook" on the Thames

Tuesday, 05 July 2011 09:37

The title is a quote from Jerome K Jerome's Three Men in a Boat, which I read a short while ago. This "nook" is to the east of Sonning Lock and Bridge.

Sonning Lock

As expected, there were plenty of (camera-shy) gongoozlers watching us go down the lock and more delights awaited us below ....

The present lock was built in 1905, the original pound lock having been built in 1773. Around that time there were three mills with streams and eyots. One mill remains, near the bridge and The Mill House, on the island created by the river and weir stream.

The remaining mill is now a dinner theatre putting on plays and concerts

It dates back to the late C17th and was owned by the Witherington family who milled flour from wheat carried up river and was taken over (in 1913) by the Phillimore family, whilst still trading as C. H Witherington and Sons Ltd. The mill had its own fleet of barges. In 1962, the mill was modernised by its new owners, Associated Foods Ltd., who added electric engines to back up the large waterwheels. When it closed down in 1969, it was one of the only remaining flour mills on the Thames driven by wheels. The Richards bought it in 1977 and set about creating a theatre from the derelict building. The Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre opened in 1982.

Sonning Bridge from upstream

Sonning Bridge is Grade II listed. It is not until seen from downstream that the whole structure can be appreciated.

Sonning Bridge from downstream

The moorings below the bridge are variously priced from £20 to £10 to FREE. Luckily for us, there was space for us on the free moorings with other narrowboats.

Moorings taken from downstream

The £20 moorings belong to the Great House Hotel and Restaurant in Sonning. Mooring fees are returnable if you eat in the restaurant. Looking at the menu it was a little above our price range!

The Great House Hotel from the River Thames

Beyond the hotel are the £10 moorings - a phone number is posted on the sign for boaters to pay (I presume). What happens if a moored boater does not phone, I wonder? We were quite happy on our mooring beside the Thames Path, which at this point is very narrow and a little overgrown.

Moored at Sonning

A wander into the village was called for - I knew that there were lots of Grade II listed buildings and the village has one or two famous residents, past and present. Here are a few photos of the ones I found most interesting.

St Andrew's Church (John went to the evening service here - and thoroughlyt enjoyed it. A really friendly church.)

The Malt House and Maltings

Turpins, the cottage once owned by Dick Turpin's Aunt. Dick may have stayed here

Robert Palmer Cottages, with beautiful gardens

If you want to see more photos of this really pretty village here is the link to our Sonning album. Oh, and those famous residents - Isabella de Valois (Richard II's  Queen), William Holman Hunt: Pre-Raphaelite artist, Uri Geller, Glen Hoddle, Jimmy Page (from Led Zeppelin who lives in The Deanery with its Lutyens' garden) and Theresa May the local MP, to name just a few.

River Thames, Reading Bridge to Sonning
1 hour 52 minutes, 3.91 miles, 2 locks