Walking the Thames Path

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Top 10 Places To Walk In And Around Reading

Reading is excellently located (and connected), making it a great base to explore the region on foot. It is on a number of national and international trail routes such as the Thames Path, the Great West Way and St James Way. From short afternoon strolls to epic, week-long hikes, there really is something for everyone.

Reading’s local Parks and Gardens
With over 100 parks within its immediate boundaries, there’s no shortage of green space in Reading. For a more leisurely afternoon stroll, Prospect Park, Forbury Gardens, Harris Gardens and Caversham Court Gardens all offer well-paved routes with beautiful natural scenery. Or, take a self-guided tour around the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus, with its new marked nature trail. The trail takes roughly 30 minutes to walk around and can be completed as a circular walk, starting and finishing close to central campus bars and cafes.

Thames Path National Trail
The Thames Path National Trail runs right through Reading, with the longest Thames river frontage of any local authority along its winding route. You can easily pick up the path from the town centre and follow it west towards Pangbourne or East towards Sonning, either way you’ll be spoilt with miles of stunning riverside scenery. Plus, you can make it as long or as short as you like!

St James Way
If you fancy adding a few more steps to your journey, why not explore the St James' Way? One of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, the route starts in Reading at St James' Church and runs to Southampton, picking up the route again from A Coruna in Galicia (as part of the Camino Ingles). Don’t forget to get your Pilgrim Passport stamped before you set off!

Swinley Forest
Technically in Bracknell’s boundaries, but just 13 miles east of Reading town centre, Swinley Forest is a stunning expanse of woodland covering over 2600 acres. Owned and managed by the Crown Estate, you’ll find miles of woodland walking, as well as a café for refreshments, a Bike Hub, playground and Go Ape tree top experience.

Reading Town Centre
Reading town centre is best explored on foot with its central and Abbey Quarter districts set within a compact, easily walkable area. Don’t miss Reading’s very own Banksy, 'Create Escape', which appeared on the wall of Reading Prison in March 2021, and the historic Abbey Ruins, the final resting place of King Henry I. To explore under your own steam, pick up a self-guided walk map from Reading Museum, or check out Reading’s walking tours for a guided visit.

Coley Meadows

Local conservationist Adrian Lawson shares his love of these meadows which are on the south west edge of Reading. A joy for wildlife fans.

Basildon Park
National Trust property, Basildon Park, lies just 8 miles west of Reading town centre and, in addition to Basildon Park House, it offers plenty of walking opportunities and views of the stunning West Berkshire countryside. There are four signposted routes to choose from, with meadows and woodlands and over 400 acres of parkland (dogs on leads also welcome!).

Kennet and Avon Canal
Although perhaps not rivalling the walking on offer along the Thames Path, there is still something to be said for its little sister, the Kennet and Avon Canal. The Kennet bisects the town centre and provides riverside outdoor dining at the Oracle shopping centre, scenic backdrops to Reading Abbey, locks and mooring for canal boats and makes for a picturesque riverside stroll.

Dinton Pastures Country Park
Within Wokingham’s geographical boundaries but just 6 miles to the east of Reading town centre (and walkable from Winnersh train station), Dinton Pastures Country Park is a great place to walk for the whole family. With a number of beautiful lakes and a brand-new Dragonfly Café for a well-earned pit stops, Dinton Pastures offers hours of beautiful lake-side walking trails. Also boasting an activity centre, water activities, climbing wall and huge playpark, there’s plenty to keep the non-walkers entertained, too.

The Ridgeway National Trail
A national trail spanning 87 miles across central southern England, The Ridegway offers more serious hikers miles upon miles of walking routes, taking in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding National Beauty and the North Wessex Downs. You can take a section of the trail from Reading’s village of Streatley to Watlington (around 15 miles), or you can take a backpack and explore further – either way, you’ll be spoiled by stunning remote countryside, just a stone’s throw from Reading.

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Sapana Home

Address

8 Queen Victoria St, Reading, RG1 1TG

Telephone
0118 950 9898

Reading

Newly opened Nepalese restaurant situated along Queen Victoria St. Serves delicious Nepali food for very reasonable prices. Almost like a café, it’s somewhere...
Gail's Bakery

Address

Broad Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2BD

reading@gailsbread.co.uk

READING

Newly opened in October 2022, Gail's bake fresh, handmade bread, pastries and cakes every day, served with our carefully-sourced house blend specialty coffee. We take great pleasure in using the best ingredients we can find for food and drink,…
Jo Jo Maman Bebe

Address

29 Chain Street, Reading, RG1 2HX

Telephone
0118 958 1892

Reading

Upmarket retail chain selling stylish, French-influenced clothes for mothers, babies and children.
De Vere Wokefield Estate golf course

Address

Wokefield Park, Mortimer, READING, Berkshire, RG7 3AE

READING

De Vere Wokefield Estate is home to Wokefield Estate Golf Club: a 6,996-yard, par 72 championship course that is designed to US PGA standards and one of the leading golf clubs in Reading.
Perfect Chicken & Ribs

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 950 9696

READING

Perfect Fried Chicken is known for its generous portions, reasonable prices, friendly service, and richly varied halal menu of fried chicken, burgers and ribs. Every dish is meticulously prepared in- house using only the best spices and ingredients.…
Hobbs

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 958 2451

Reading

Women's clothing store selling self-designed, stylish and luxurious fashion with new selections every season.
Paddington Bear Statue

Address

Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AP

Reading
Mal Brasserie

Address

Malmaison Hotel, 18-20 Station Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1JX

Telephone
0118 334 1331

reading@malmaison.com

READING

This former train-house turned hotel has an abundance of style and decadence. Chez Mal Brasserie is the hotel's fantastic restaurant. Located less than a minutes walk from Reading station this hotel is the perfect place to meet friends for food.
Mama's Way

Address

10-14 Duke Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4RU

READING

Reading town centre's neighbourood Italian deli.
Holiday Inn Reading South - M4 Jcn 11

Address

500 Basingstoke Road, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0SL

Telephone
0871 942 9067

reservations@hireadingsouth.com

READING

Situated near Reading city centre, Holiday Inn Reading South M4 Jct 11 is in easy reach of the M4. Our hotel has a range of comfortable bedrooms, delicious dining, and on-site car parking for cars and coaches. We’ve got 202 bedrooms and a choice of…
Rivermead Leisure Centre

Address

Richfield Avenue, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ

Telephone
0118 937 5000

READING

Rivermead Leisure Complex is a brand-new flagship development which provides first class leisure facilities as part of the £40m reinvestment into upgrading sport & leisure centres in Reading. Facilities include a 120 station gym which offers…
Sushimania

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 958 8293

reading@sushimania.co.uk

READING

Sushimania offers traditional Japanese cuisine ranging from sashimi, sushi, traditional & modern makis. As well as grilled seafood’s & meats, tempuras, rice and noodles.
Bill's

Address

St Mary's Church House, Chain Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX

Telephone
020 4512 6642

Reading

Bill's Restaurant and Bar first opened in Lewes, East Sussex in 2001. A very pretty location, Bill’s Reading restaurant occupies St Mary’s Church House. This elegant Georgian building makes a fabulous restaurant and has become a very popular…
Best Western Calcot Hotel

Address

98 Bath Road, Calcot, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 7QN

Telephone
0118 9416423

gm@calcothotel.co.uk

Reading

A home away from home near Reading. Whatever your reason for staying at the Best Western Calcot Hotel, you're guaranteed a comfortable place to lay your head, let the Calcot Hotel be your home away from home during your trip. Best Western Calcot…
Phantom Brewing Company

Address

Unit 2-3 Meadow Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8LB

READING

Phantom Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in Reading, Berkshire. With the main goal of producing the freshest beer, made with the highest quality ingredients, we have worked hard to provide a welcoming community hub in our taproom in Reading…
Loddon Brewery

Address

Church Lane, Dunsden, READING, Berkshire, RG4 9QD

Telephone
0118 948 1111

READING

Our beers have been hailed for their quality and consistency since 2003 – winning awards all over the UK. Built on traditional foundations, we’ve continued to evolve and take our beers to the next level. From firkins of classic bitter to cans of New…
Cosmo

Address

35-28 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1DX

Telephone
0118 9595588

reading@cosmo-restaurants.co.uk

Reading

Pan Asian and world dining experience. We believe your taste buds should be intrepid explorers seeking out the best flavours the world has to offer...
L'Occitane

Address

The Oracle Centre, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Reading

Bath and beauty expert L'Occitane brings the Provencal experience to you through its beautiful boutique store here at The Oracle. Natural ingredients go into an unrivalled range of refreshing, relaxing and invigorating soaps, handwashes, body…
Bakery House

Address

82 London Street, Reading, RG1 4SJ

Telephone
0118 327 4040

info@bakeryhouse.co

Reading

Opened in June 2015, Bakery House focuses on the best of Lebanese food in a relaxed, informal dining environment. Mezze, grills, pastries are the specialty...
Keeley's Picture Framing

Address

14 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3AA

Telephone
0118 959 6961

keith.keeleys@hotmail.com

Reading

Framing specialist providing custom and pre-made frames for everything from single photographs up to multiple photo's, posters and more.

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Top 10 Places To Walk In And Around Reading

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