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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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Treatz

Address

29 Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DP

Telephone
0118 951 1533

info@treatz.co.uk

READING

Treatz Dessert Parlour is sleek, modern and comfortable, ready to bring you some seriously amazing desserts! The menu includes utterly delicious...
Burger King

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

READING

The original home of the Whopper and known for serving high-quality, great-tasting, affordable food. Founded in 1954, Burger King is one of the largest fast food chains in the world. The commitment to premium ingredients, signature recipes, and…
Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe

Address

Unit 10, Kings Walk, 19-23 King Street, Reading, RG1 2HG

Reading

Fuwa Fuwa, meaning “fluffy fluffy” North America’s largest soufflé pancake and dessert cafe. From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between. We aim to deliver happiness, one pancake at a time.
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,…
The Caversham (Reading Golf Club)

Address

Mapledurham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 7UT

Telephone
0118 9478600

READING

The Eyston Course is a fantastic championship course measuring between 5,536 to 7,319 yards. Located just outside Reading, built to USGA standards and is in great condition year-round due to excellent drainage.
Starbucks Butter Market

Address

6 Butter Market, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

Telephone
0118 959 8771

ukinfo@starbucks.com

Reading

The layout and atmosphere of Starbucks stores are specifically designed to be cosy and intimate, while at the same time providing people with their own personal...
Swiss Farm Touring and Camping

Address

Marlow Road, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 2HY

Telephone
01491 573419

HENLEY-ON-THAMES

Our five star, landscaped Henley on Thames Touring & Camping park in the Oxfordshire countryside is perfectly placed for guests wishing to visit London, Reading, Windsor & Oxford. The park is a short walk from the beautiful town of Henley on Thames…
Power of Pilates

Address

First Floor, 1 Chalfont Court, Chalfont Way, Lower Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 5SY

Telephone
0118 9623 826

hello@powerofpilates.co.uk

Lower Earley, Reading

Power of Pilates is a modern and welcoming Pilates studio located in Lower Earley, Reading. Our fully equipped Pilates studio was opened in 2007 and we have helped thousands of clients achieve their fitness and movement goals. We offer both Pilates…
Escape Reading

Address

Queens Walk, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QF

Telephone
07429 147597

hello@escapereading.co.uk

READING

Locked in a room with no way out, you must search for hidden compartments, secret passageways, and clues to plot your escape – all within 60 minutes! For groups of 2-6, Escape Reading offers three different rooms designed for groups of 2-6. It is…
Caprice Restaurant - Crowne Plaza Reading East

Address

Wharfedale Road, Winnersh Traingle, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG41 5TS

Telephone
0118 944 0444

reservations@cpreading.co.uk

WOKINGHAM

Looking for an authentic British Restaurant in the Reading, Wokingham or Bracknell area? Look no further, our Caprice Restaurant boasts 2 AA Rosettes sat within our 4 Silver Star Crowne Plaza Reading East easily accessed from the M4 Jct10. We are…
O'Neill's

Address

4 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PJ

Telephone
0118 960 6580

oneillsreading@gmail.com

Reading

O’Neill’s can offer you a warm welcome and a cold beer! They invite you to enjoy great food, live music and a perfectly poured pint of Guinness® or chilled Magners...
Vue Cinema

Address

Riverside, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0345 308 4620

Reading

All the latest mainstream movies are shown at this state-of-the-art chain cinema with family deals.
Calcot Park Golf Course

Address

Calcot Park, Calcot, READING, Berkshire, RG31 7RN

Telephone
0118 942 7124

READING

Calcot Park is an undulating, traditional, parkland course rated in the top six golf clubs in Berkshire and is recognised as one of the best in the area. It was designed by Harry Colt in 1930 who also built, amongst others, Beaconsfield, Denham,…
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara

Address

Cumberland Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3LB

READING

In 1974 the Methodist church in Cumberland Road, Newtown, Reading became available and the Sikh community decided that it need a more permanent place of worship where Guru Granth Sahib Ji could be installed on permanent basis, Akhand Paht (continues…
Greggs, 10 Queen Victoria St

Address

10 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, RG1 1TG

Reading
Rabble Theatre

Address

School Lane, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 8HX

READING

RABBLE Theatre is a multi-award-winning theatre company based in Reading, producing work in the region’s iconic spaces. But as well as producing amazing works of theatre, they also teach business how to communicate better.
Want to practise…
Church of Our Lady and St Anne

Address

2 South View Avenue, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 5AB

READING

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…
Coppid Beech Hotel

Address

John Nike Way, BRACKNELL, Berkshire, RG12 8TF

Telephone
01344 303 333

BRACKNELL

The hotel has 4 dining options, live music venue, nightclub, leisure club with pool, beauty treatments and gym as well as perfectly located. Relax at this beautiful Alpine themed hotel.
McDonalds - Friar Street

Address

128-129 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1EP

Telephone
0118 959 1144

Reading
Reading Abbey Rugby Club

Address

Peppard Road, Emmer Green, READING, Berkshire, RG4 8XA

Telephone
07500 967646

READING

Reading Abbey was born in the early 1950s as a youth side meeting the playing demand of boys who went to non-rugby playing schools. As a consequence when they wanted adult rugby they were uncomfortable with the established hierarchy at the two clubs…

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Top 10 Places To Walk In And Around Reading

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