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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Boots - The Oracle

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AH

Telephone
0118 958 7529

Reading

Shop our extensive range of health and beauty products from leading brands, fragrances for her and him, gift sets and much more.
Greys Court

Address

Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 4PG

HENLEY-ON-THAMES

From a picturesque 16th-century mansion to a 20th century intimate family home. The house exudes a welcoming atmosphere with a well-stocked kitchen and homely living rooms. The series of walled gardens are a colourful patchwork of interest set amid…
Pau Brasil

Address

89 Mount Pleasant, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2TF

Telephone
0118 975 2333

Reading

Brazilian Coffee House and Delicatessen, supplying Brazilian and Portuguese Delicatessen and Patisserie, Seafood and Meats.
Caversham Boat Services

Address

Thames Side, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8DG

Telephone
0118 957 4323

READING

Holiday hire cruisers - two to six berth, short breaks and weekly hire available March - November. Caversham Boat Services are offering a range of comfortably furnished and fitted cruisers and makes an excellent starting point for your holiday. The…
Bravissimo

Address

2 Chain Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX

Telephone
0118 950 5952

Reading

Lingerie, swimwear and clothes for women who are a D-L cup.
Beaverbrooks

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 951 2607

reading.branch@beaverbrooks.co.uk

Reading

Family run jewellers trading since 1919, with high standards and a passion for fine jewellery.
Trailfinders

Address

23 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

Telephone
0118 334 6500

Reading

Trailfinders are experts in tailor made travel. Speak to our travel consultants and discover an unbeatable selection of holidays and unique travelling opportunities.
Lovisa

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Lovisa was created out of the need for on trend fashion jewellery at ready to wear prices. Our trend spotting departments worldwide take inspiration from couture runways and current street style to deliver new, on trend, must-have styles to our…
Wingstop

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

What began as a small buffalo-style chicken wing restaurant in Garland, Texas, continues to soar to great heights.
Since setting up shop in '94, they've been putting flavor first. And they're not about to stop. Wingstop are all about taking their…
Milk Bar

Address

8 Merchants Place, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DT

Telephone
0118 958 5887

READING

Milk is an independent rum bar in the heart of Reading. Boasting over 100 rums, and a specially made in-house cocktail menu, we have been reading's purveyor of rare rums and prescribed cocktails for nearly ten years.
Sweeney and Todd

Address

10 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7RD

Telephone
0118 958 6466

Reading

Restaurant with acclaimed pies and deli selling pasties, sausage rolls and free range scotch eggs.
South Reading Leisure Centre

Address

Northumberland Avenue, READING, Berkshire, RG2 8DF

READING

South Reading Leisure Centre offers a range of indoor and outdoor facilities for the local community. The gym features a range of cardio and resistance stations, a dedicated free weight area and a spin and dance studio offering a range of fitness…
Shave & Coster

Address

Harris Arcade, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DN

READING

Specialist tobaconist now owned by Havana House. The business dates back to the late 1800s.
Escapade Reading

Address

Chestnut Walk, Reading, RG1 3HY

info@escapadegames.co.uk

Reading

You've just broken out of Reading prison. Now you’re a fugitive on the run in Escapade's latest outdoor escape room! In the next two hours you’ll need to decipher cryptic clues and complete escape room style challenges that will take you all around…
Nando's Friar Street

Address

30-31 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1DX

Telephone
0118 951 1460

Reading

Home to the legendary flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken. Afro-Portuguese inspired. South African born. Whether you are eating in the restaurants or getting...
Five Guys

Address

The Oracle Shopping Centre Unit U1, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 957 3931

Reading

American diner style burger joint serving hamburgers grilled to perfection alongside chips fried in peanut oil.
The Mill at Sonning Theatre

Address

Sonning Eye, READING, Berkshire, RG4 6TY

Telephone
0118 969 8000

boxoffice@millatsonning.com

READING

Award-winning theatre set majestically on the banks of the River Thames. The Mill at Sonning Theatre now celebrates more than 40 years of entertainment and hospitality. Uniquely, with a two course meal enjoyed before the show, The Mill has gained…
Escape Hunt Reading

Address

Kings Walk, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HG

Telephone
0118 950 5222

reading@escapehunt.com

READING

Packed with excitement, you and your teammates will leap into new worlds completing ground-breaking missions. Work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out. This isn’t something you watch, it’s…
French Market

Address

Broad Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

READING

Bon appetit! A taste of France comes to Reading this Easter
A taste of France comes to Reading this Easter with a two-day French market taking over Broad Street on Good Friday 15 April and Easter Saturday 16 April.
Shoppers in Reading town…
Three Guineas

Address

Station Approach, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LY

Telephone
0118 957 2743

Reading

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself, The Three Guineas was built to serve… and whether you fancy cask ales, commuter coffees or cracking cuisine, we certainly live up to that. Right by Reading Station, we’ve served thousands of travellers…

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Top 10 Places To Walk In And Around Reading

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