River Kennet
The Kennet is a river in the south east of England, and a tributary of the River Thames. The lower reaches of the river are navigable to river craft and are known as the Kennet Navigation, which, together with the Avon Navigation, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Thames, links the cities of Bristol and London.
Course
The Kennet's source is Swallowhead Spring near Silbury Hill in the county of Wiltshire. From there the river flows through Marlborough, Hungerford and Newbury before flowing into the Thames at Reading in Berkshire.
The Kennet's principal tributaries are the River Lambourn, the River Enborne and the Foudry Brook. For six miles to the west of, and through, Reading, the Kennet supports a secondary channel, known as the Holy Brook, which formerly powered the water mills of Reading Abbey.
Navigation
The Kennet Navigation proceeds from the junction with the Thames at Kennet Mouth to the east of Reading, upstream to Newbury where it joins the Kennet and Avon Canal. Throughout the navigation, stretches of natural riverbed alternate with artificially created lock cuts.
Etymology
Formerly known as the "Cunnit", Michael Dames claims the name is derived from the vulgar word "cunt", though it is more likely derived from the nearby Roman settlement of Cunetio.
See also
References
- The Silbury Treasure, Michael Dames 1976
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