In some stretches, especially behind Coley Park, the brook is noticeably embanked along the hillside above the lower water meadows, demonstrating its artificial origins.

The most notable section, behind the buildings on Castle Street, is grade II listed and built of ribbed limestone blocks that may be reclaimed stone from Reading Abbey.

Other sections include brick vaults, iron-girder roofing, concrete culverts, and modern corrugated steel construction.

[1][2] At its eastern end, once it has passed under the Central Library, the Holy Brook re-emerges into the open, at a point where it once formed the southern boundary of Reading Abbey.

Today the brook passes between the backs of modern office blocks before re-entering the north channel of the River Kennet where the latter makes a right-angle turn immediately to the south of the ruins of the Abbey church.