Historic bridges · South East England
Reading Bridge
In or near Sonning.
Reading Bridge is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 min–30 min
- Nearest railway station
- Reading · 0.4 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Reading Bridge, the nearest railway station is Reading, located 0.4 km away. The postcode for navigation is RG1 8DB, and entry to the bridge is free.
About
Reading Bridge is a named historic bridge in the United Kingdom. Coordinates: 51.4610°, -0.9679°. This entry is part of The Great Britain Guide, a free, ad-free, open-data tourist directory.
Photo gallery
360° viewimagery from 2021
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
From the Wikipedia article
Reading Bridge is a road bridge over the River Thames at Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The bridge links the centre of Reading on the south bank with the Lower Caversham area of the cross-river suburb, and former village, of Caversham on the north bank. It crosses the river a short way above Caversham Lock. The current bridge is the first on the site, and was opened on 3 October 1923. It has a single reinforced concrete main span of 180 feet (55 m), which was, at the time of construction, the longest such span in the United Kingdom. There are also two side arches for footpaths. The span rises to a height of 18 feet (5.5 m) at the centre, giving a navigation clearance of 17 feet 8 inches (5.38 m). The bridge deck is 40 ft (12 m) wide and carries a 27 ft (8.2 m) wide carriageway and two flanking footways.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Before the opening of Reading Bridge, the only road crossing between Reading and Caversham was at the Caversham Bridge site some 0.5 mi upstream, which has accommodated a series of bridges since around the end of the 12th century. In later years, a narrow footbridge across the top of the weir at Caversham Lock, known locally as The Clappers, provided a supplementary pedestrian route, especially between the terraced housing of Lower Caversham and the factory of Huntley & Palmers, but was becoming increasingly congested. In 1871, the Corporation of Reading had obtained permission to build a swing bridge across the river just above Caversham Lock, but this was never done. However in 1911,…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.4610, -0.9679
- District
- Reading
- Parish
- Reading, unparished area
- Postcode
- RG1 8DB
- Parliamentary constituency
- Reading Central
- Nearest railway station
- Reading — 0.4 km
- Opening
- 3 October 1923
Sources
- osm: w581447050 (ODbL)
- wikipedia: Reading Bridge (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Reading Bridge.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Thames Lido
Lidos & outdoor pools · 0.2 km

Christchurch Bridge
Historic bridges · 0.2 km

Hills Meadow
Country parks · 0.2 km

Salmon Ladder
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
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Caversham Lock and Weir
Canal locks · 0.3 km

Christchurch Meadows
Country parks · 0.3 km

View Island
Forests & woodlands · 0.3 km

View Island Archway
Public art & sculpture · 0.3 km

Face carved out of fallen tree
Public art & sculpture · 0.4 km

Edward VII
Memorials & monuments · 0.4 km

Reading Forbury Hill
Castles · 0.4 km

Reading Museum
Museums · 0.4 km
Nearby
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Thames Lido
Thames Lido — Outdoor swimming pool / lido.
📷 5Historic bridges · South East England
Christchurch Bridge
Christchurch Bridge is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
📷 5Country parks · South East England
Hills Meadow
Hills Meadow — riverside park in Reading, England.
Memorials & monuments · South East England
Salmon Ladder
Salmon Ladder — a memorial in england-south-east, United Kingdom.
📷 5Canal locks · South East England
Caversham Lock and Weir
Caversham Lock and Weir — lock and weir on the River Thames in Berkshire, England.
📷 5Country parks · South East England
Christchurch Meadows
Christchurch Meadows — riverside park in Reading, England.
Where to eat & stay near Reading Bridge
Places to stay
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The Village Hotel
The Village Hotel — a hotel in england south east.
Hotels · South East England
Travelodge Reading
Travelodge Reading — a hotel in england south east.
Hotels · South East England
Pentahotel Reading
Pentahotel Reading — a hotel in england south east.
Hotels · South East England
Crescent Hotel
Crescent Hotel — a hotel in england south east.
📷 7Hotels · South East England
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading — a hotel in england south east. Brand: Sure Hotel by Best Western.
Places to eat & drink
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The Coopers Public House
The Coopers Public House in England South East, United Kingdom.
📷 5Restaurants · South East England
The Thirsty Bear
The Thirsty Bear — a restaurant in england south east.
📷 7Restaurants · South East England
London Street Brasserie
London Street Brasserie — a restaurant in england south east. Cuisine: international;fine dining.
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Purple Turtle
Purple Turtle in England South East, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · South East England
The Red Cow Public House
The Red Cow Public House in England South East, United Kingdom.
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Briary Hill Bridge east is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
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Briary Hill Bridge west
Briary Hill Bridge west is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
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Bridge 157 VIR (Bath Hard Road)
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Dorking Arch Bridge
Dorking Arch Bridge is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Reading Bridge?
- Reading Bridge is in South-East England, United Kingdom (postcode RG1 8DB), in the parish of Reading, unparished area.
- What is Reading Bridge?
- Reading Bridge is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Reading Bridge?
- The nearest railway station is Reading, about 0.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode RG1 8DB.
- Who owns Reading Bridge?
- Reading Bridge is owned by Reading Borough Council.
- Is Reading Bridge free to visit?
- Yes, Reading Bridge is free to enter.
- How do I get to Reading Bridge?
- The nearest railway station is Reading, about 0.4 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode RG1 8DB.