Is Reading located on the River Thames?

Reading is not located directly on the River Thames. The town is actually situated at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Kennet. While the River Kennet runs directly through the town center, the River Thames flows along the northern outskirts of Reading. This location at the waterways’ confluence historically helped Reading develop as a center for trade and transport. The proximity to the River Thames, while not central to the urban layout, still plays an important role in the region’s natural and recreational landscape.