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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Reading Abbey Ruins

Address

Abbey Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3BA

Telephone
0118 937 3400

READING

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…
Thames River Cruise

Address

Bridge Street, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 8AH

Telephone
01189 481088

bookings@thamesrivercruise.co.uk

READING

The Perfect Venue on the Upper Thames. The Upper reaches of the Thames are enchanting and captivating, a fitting backdrop for your Corporate Event. Sailing from Caversham Pier in Reading, passing open countryside, historic villages, and stunning…
Venue Reading

Address

Venue Reading, Whiteknights, READING, Berkshire, RG6 6UR

READING

Situated just outside of Reading town centre, Venue Reading is located on the University of Reading, Whiteknights campus and is in a prime location for the South East of England with excellent transport links. Reading Buses even come through the…
Walking.Holiday - St James' Way

Address

St James' Church, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3FD

Telephone
07889 654979

camino.ingles@walking.holiday

Reading

We are a local walking holiday company who offer four to seven day self-guided walking itineraries along the St James' Way from Reading to Southampton. Our packages include B&B accommodation, daily baggage transfers, transport to and from…
Thames River Cruise

Address

Caversham Pier, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8BD

Telephone
01189 481088

bookings@thamesrivercruise.co.uk

READING

We are based at the heart of the Upper Thames and cruise through some of the most stunning reaches of the Thames from Henley and Sonning up to Going and Streatley. Dearting from Caversham Pier in Reading, we sail up to Mapledurham on 45 mnutes, 60…
McDonalds - Oracle Riverside

Address

The Oracle Riverside, Reading, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 950 2657

Reading
Reading Football Club Conference and Events

Address

Select Car Leasing Stadium, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0FL

Telephone
0118 968 1333

READING

Located inside the spectacular Select Car Leasing Stadium (previously The Madejski Stadium), our events and conference centre combines first-class facilities with the heritage of the iconic Reading Football Club. Whatever your plans, our event…
Reading Rep Theatre

Address

Kings Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4LY

READING

Reading’s resident professional theatre combines high-class productions with ground-breaking education and community engagement to help transform Reading and the surrounding area’s cultural landscape. With tickets from as little as £5 Reading Rep is…
Miller and Carter

Address

The Oracle Riverside, Reading, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 950 9961

Reading

Miller & Carter know a thing or two about steak. In fact, you could say that they are one of the best steakhouses in West Berkshire. But they'd rather leave...
WH Smith

Address

39 Broad Street, Reading, RG1 2AD

Reading

The well-known stationers and bookshop. Also has the post office on the first floor.
Siren Craft Brew Reading

Address

1 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1HR

Reading

Siren's Flagship Bar in central Reading opened in summer 2024 and is located just a 2 minute walk from the train station. As well as 28+ lines of beautiful brewery fresh beer, from both Siren and guests we have fully stocked fridges for takeaway…
Reading Museum

Address

Blagrave Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1QH

Telephone
0118 937 3400

READING

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…
Taco Bell

Address

207 Broad Street Mall, Reading, RG1 7QH

Telephone
0118 959 7213

Reading

Taco Bell® is the world’s leading Mexican-inspired restaurant chain. The menu features famous craveable eats, from the Crunchwrap Supreme, to the founder Glen Bell’s famous invention – the crunchy taco. All Taco Bell products are prepared to order…
Progress Theatre

Address

The Mount, READING, Berkshire, RG1 5HL

READING

Progress Theatre is a self-governing, self-funding theatre group, run by volunteers, and founded in 1946. We are members of the Little Theatre Guild and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, and are a registered charity. Our intimate 96…
Soju

Address

9-11 Kings Walk, King Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG12HG

Telephone
0118 334 8162

Reading

Soju offers authentic and freshly grilled South Korean BBQ in the heart of Reading.
Novotel

Address

25b Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DP

Telephone
0118 952 2600

H5432@accor.com

READING

Perfectly situated in the heart of the town. The guests can choose from executive and superior rooms, all boasting airy, contemporary designs and warmth. Meeting@Novotel, making your meetings a success. Whatever type of meeting you are organizing,…
South Street Arts Centre

Address

South Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4QU

Telephone
0118 937 3456

boxoffice@reading.gov.uk

READING

South Street is situated just to the South of Reading's town centre, 5 minutes from the Oracle Riverside, and boasts two performance spaces. The small-scale programme focuses on critically acclaimed touring theatre, music, comedy & spoken word.…
Chopstix

Address

80 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AP

Telephone
0118 963 5147

Reading

At Chopstix all food is made with natural ingredients delivering you a fresh and delicious meal.
IKEA

Address

Pincents Kiln, Calcot, READING, Berkshire, RG31 7SD

READING

Scandinavian chain selling ready-to-assemble furniture, plus housewares, in a warehouse-like space.
Create Escape - Banksy

Address

Reading Gaol, Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 3HY

Reading

Banksy’s artwork in Reading, Create Escape, appeared in 2021 on the walls of the former Reading Prison building. From Reading Station, it is just a five-minute walk.
Banksy’s Create Escape was inspired by Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment in Reading Gaol…

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Top 10 Places To Walk In And Around Reading

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