Reading's Abbey Ruins will be the final stop on the new scenic boat tours

Thames Rivercruise is working in partnership with Reading Borough Council to give residents and visitors to the town a new way of taking in the surrounds and waterways.

The tours will be running on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 25 to August 18, starting at Thameside Promenade in Caversham and ending at the Abbey Ruins.

The route also includes Caversham Lock, Blakes Lock and Duke Street Bridge and will travel at a leisurely pace for an hour and a half before arriving at the 900-year-old landmark.

Councillor Sarah Hacker, lead member for culture, heritage and recreation, said: “What nicer way to access the newly opened Reading Abbey Ruins this summer, than a leisurely cruise along the river, taking in the beautiful sights of Reading’s waterways.

"Accessing the historic abbey by the river is such a fitting mode of transport, considering the importance of the waterways to the abbey in its heyday. You will be approaching the abbey just as people did in the time of King Henry I.

"I am pleased we are able to support Thames Rivercruise in putting together this offering and I am really looking forward to climbing aboard for the cruise myself.”

The ruins reopened to the public last month after a successful £3.15m restoration project.

Thousands of guests headed down to the site to see the the old home of Henry I, which is a Grade I listed site.

Tim Deaton, director of Thames Rivercruise, added: “For a long time, we have wanted to operate along the Kennet, offering a service to the town centre.

"The service this year is experimental and if successful we would like to develop the service and vessels used so we are able to operate through the Oracle Centre and around the Abbey loop. This would lead to the operation of both a commuter and leisure service.”

The restoration project was made possible through £1.77m funding from the National Lottery and Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as £1.38m funding from the council.