If you regularly visit the Central Library, or shop in King’s Walk, or cross the bridge from Heelas to the Oracle, or live in Mallard Row, Brook Street West or Trelleck Road, you will know a little of the Holy Brook. Thousand of people use the crossroads at Jackson’s Corner without knowing that there’s running water a few feet down. But where does it start? Is it a natural stream or man-made? What is it for? What was it called when the Abbey was still functioning?

This unique and secretive waterway has been hurrying through and under Reading for many centuries. Adam Sowan has written the fullest account yet of the Brook’s topography, history, archaeology and mythology; Sally Castle’s map shows, for the first time, all the places where you can follow its banks; and Peter Hay’s illustrations evoke its unique character.