Welcome to Reading, a modern destination with a medieval history. Reading is the departure point for modern pilgrims and walkers retracing the steps of medieval pilgrims along St James’ Way to Southampton and then on to Galicia in north-west Spain to join the Camino Ingles, one of the routes of the world-famous Camino de Santiago. Reading has lots of things to do and see while you are here, including a number of important pilgrim sites and religious landmarks as well as history and heritage activities, so take a day or two to explore Reading's medieval history and get your Pilgrim Passport stamped before you set off on the St James’ Way.
Pilgrimage in Reading
Throughout the Middle Ages, Reading and Caversham were recognised centres of pilgrimage. The focus in Reading was Reading Abbey, which possessed over 230 relics including the Hand of St James, which made Reading the centre of the cult of St James in early medieval England. On the other side of the River Thames was the Shrine of Our Lady of Caversham, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which was visited in person by Queen Catherine of Aragon as late as 1532. Both were dissolved in the late 1530s, after which the location of the Shrine of Our Lady was lost to local memory, and has only been re-identified in recent years.
Our map guide will show you where all the places of historic or pilgrim interest can be found. Don't miss Reading Abbey Ruins, the Abbey Gate and Forbury Gardens, St James Church and the modern Shrine at St Anne's Church in Caversham, as well as Reading Museum, where you can get your pilgrim passport stamped.
During your pilgrim visit to Reading, take the time to visit some key places:
St James’s Churchin Reading Abbey Quarter. The church marks the starting point for people setting out on the long-distance walking route, the St James’ Way and is one of two places to get your trail passport stamped (also in Readng Museum).
Reading Abbey, founded in 1121 by King Henry I, which held over 230 relics including The Hand of St James, one of Christ’s disciples. Now in its 900th year, the Abbey Ruins are a popular visitor attraction in the heart of Reading.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Caversham, a leading shrine to the Virgin Mary located in Caversham in medieval times, was closed down during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. A modern shrine, which includes a shrine chapel with a statue of Our Lady and Child, exists at the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Anne in Caversham.
Walking the St James' Way
The St James’s Way is a long-distance walk of 68 miles running from Reading Abbey south to Southampton, and part of the Camino Ingles/English Way, the network of pilgrimage trails that run as far north in England as Durham to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, where St James is buried. This route will soon be marked with the scallop shell, symbol of the pilgrims to Santiago, and the yellow arrow to point you in the right Camino.
Get your passport stamped at Reading Museum ands then head to St James' Church in the Abbey Quarter, the departure point of the Way. Stamps all count towards your Compostela. Buen Camino!
St James catholic Church is built within the ruins of the great Benedictine Abbey. Today we continue the practice of the monks to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy in Word and Sacrament. The church was built between 1837 and 1840, the architect was A W Pugin. It is the stratng point of the St James Way, part of the English leg of the Camino de Santiago.
Explore 900 years of history in Reading Abbey Quarter including the burial place of King Henry I, Jane Austen's schoolroom and Oscar Wilde's Gaol. Notably the Quarter includes Reading Museum, St. James' Church, St Laurence's Church, the Forbury Gardens, Reading Gaol and the remains of Reading Abbey. The impressive Abbey Ruins consist of the south transept, the treasury, the chapter house, the dormitory and the refectory.
Built 1902-21, it includes a shrine chapel, re-designed between 1954-58 to include the external squint on South View Avenue for observance by passers-by. This has a large 500-year old oak statue of Our Lady and Child. The shrine was redecorated in 2017 with images reflecting the original medieval shrine, which was lost following its dissolution in 1538 but was located at Caversham manor at Dean's Farm in Lower Caversham.
Situated in Reading’s Victorian Town Hall, the Museum tells the story of Reading from its Saxon beginnings to the high-tech town it is today. Explore ten galleries of historic and artistic objects. Discover archaeology from Roman Silchester and Reading Abbey, view vintage Huntley & Palmers biscuit tins, explore our famous Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, and don’t miss changing exhibitions in the Art Gallery. Take a look in our shop with unique local products, books and gifts.
Forbury Gardens is a delightful Victorian town garden, created at the height of the urban parks movement. The gardens have recently undergone major restoration. They are located between the town centre and the ruins of the 11th century abbey, not far from Reading Station