Reading Walks Festival

This May, we're launching Reading's first ever Walks Festival! Running from 10-14 May, Reading Walks Festival is as much about telling the stories of Reading as walking for its own pleasure, so you don't need to be a seasoned hiker to take part and you’ll find that our volunteer guides have lots to share with you along the way.

Reading has 1000 years of history to share, from a centre of medieval religion to Victorian industrial powerhouse – the stories live on in our urban townscape. And, with the Thames and Kennet & Avon Canal flowing through the town, Reading is home to picturesque waterside walks, surprising green spaces and easy access to the surrounding countryside in the Chilterns, north Hampshire and West Berkshire.

Choose from over 40 walks ranging from 40-minute wanders to a 2-day pilgrimages. Our handy grading system will let you know whether walks are easy, medium or hard, as well as the distance and approximate times, so you can choose the right walk for you. The majority of the programme is also free to attend thanks to the generosity of our volunteer guide leaders who are proud to share their town with you. Plus Reading's brilliant transport connections means that most of our walks are designed so that the start/end points can be reached by public transport.  

How to sign up?

1. All walks must be booked online. Simply download our Walks Programme or visit our sister-site, What's on Reading to view the full list of walks taking place over the five-day festival
2. Once you've found the walk you'd like to join, follow the booking instructions online, via What's on Reading
3. Voila! We look forward to walking with you in May.

More information about the festival (including FAQs) can be found at Readingwalksfestival.org.uk