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Full Programme Announced for Reading Walks Festival 2026
6th March 2026
Tickets for this year’s Reading Walks Festival are now on sale from Friday 6 March and can be booked online here.
The fourth Reading Walks Festival takes place from 9 – 17 May, with a diverse programme of walks, from experiencing the natural wonder of the dawn chorus to a sociable evening saunter.
This year’s festival has 43 guided walks led by local experts, exploring Reading’s history and natural heritage, with over a quarter celebrating Reading’s great waterways to tie in with the 30th anniversary of the Thames Path National Trail. Three quarters of the walks are NEW for this year with subjects covered varying from an exploration of Reading’s spiritual heritage to public art at the University, a drag-led ghost walk and a costumed Tudor tour. From Goring to the west, Henley to the east, south to Silchester and north into the Chilterns, as well as in and around Reading town centre, the programme encompasses the full Reading geographical area.
The festival’s focus, as in previous years, is on learning something new about Reading while walking, but there are also walks that are just social affairs or designed for healthy exercise. Walks range in length from a 1 km guided tour to 31km over 2 days on a pilgrimage route.
Most of the walks cost just £3 with a number suitable for wheelchairs and families. The walks are designed to link into Reading’s transport system, with walks starting at Reading bus stops or railway stations.
Alex Brannen of REDA, the organiser of Reading Walks Festival, said: “This year’s programme is the most diverse and exciting yet with walks exploring Reading’s green spaces, the town’s fascinating history, art and architecture and the countryside in every direction. The theme for this year’s festival is our waterways. A quarter of the walks take their cue from the Thames, Kennet, Kennet & Avon and even the Holybrook which flow through Reading. What better way to learn more about our town than exploring on foot, with a great guide and in good company. We look forward to walking with you.”
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Tickets can be booked here. In previous years, many walks have booked up quickly so do book early to avoid disappointment. A printed programme is also available at Reading’s libraries, Reading Museum reception and other outlets and can be downloaded here.
