Walk Reading

Reading Walks Festival 2024 was a series of 49 guided walks over nine days in May, but Reading is a great place to walk all year round. On this page you'll find plenty of ideas for guided and self guided walks in and around Reading to help you explore before the next Reading Walks Festival. 

Don't forget to sign up for info on next year's festival by joining our Visit Reading newsletter. 

Reading Walks Festival walks to do on your own

• Reading to Shiplake along the Thames Path National Trail (return by train)
• Town centre Brewery Heritage walk
• Town centre 1920s/30s architecture walk
• Coley History walk
• Burghfield Common Circular Walk (including Silchester) - route map
• London Road University campus - heritage trail leaflet
• Palmer, Brunel, Suttons & Two Rivers - route notes + map
• Tall Trees and Village Gems - old Tilehurst Guided Tree Trail 
• Whiteknights Campus Nature Trail
• Abbey Quarter self guided trail map
• Sustrans - Waterhouse Walk route map
• Sustrans - River, Parks, Royals and Rock route map
• Sustrans - National Cycle Network Milepost Walk route map

Digital resources for walks in and around Reading 

• The High Street Heritage Action Zone has created self guided audio tours to enjoy on your phone while you walk - Huntley & Palmers and St Mary's Butts/Castle Street
• Reading Tree Wardens have 7 downloadable tree walk leaflets with routes around Reading
• Reading Basingtoke Community Rail Partnership have a series of downloadable walks starting at local railway stations
• Discover the pilgrimage sites in Reading associated with the cult of St James.
• Walk the St James' Way, which starts at St James' Church. It is now on OS digital maps or you can buy the book from the CSJ.
• Explore the River Thames and River Kennet in central Reading
• Readipop have 4 heritage trails to download
• Look out for guided walks as part of Heritage Open Days in Spetember.
• Find Reading's Banksy. A short walk for the station.
• Discover Public Art in Reading on a walk
• Caversham Heritage Map - explore Caversham on foot
• Walks around Earley - 14 walks created by Loddon Valley Ramblers for Earley Town Council . Between 2 - 14km in length, they are 'family friendly', accessible by public transport (parking information is also provided),  generally circular and come with maps and comprehensive route details including photos.  
• Walks around Woodley - 16 walks created by Loddon Valley Ramblers for Woodley Town Council. See Walks around Earley above for more details.

Book a guided walk 

• Terry's Reading Walkabouts has a series of guided walks all year round. Choose from 16 or more themed walks. All proceeds go to charity. 
• Walk Reading offer a programme of guided walks including Reading Abbey, Reading's Lost Railway and Reading at War, as well as bespoke walks. 
• Tours2Order are Blue Badge guide-led tours of Reading and the wider area, including Henry I Reading Abbey and Midsomer Murders. 
• Walks Work offer bespoke team walks and Friday morning walks (every other week) with 2 experienced guides. Varied routes around South Oxfordshire, Thames Valley, The Chilterns.
• Pipsticks Walks offer group and private walks in the Thames Valley and further afield. Nordic Walks a speciality.
• Reading Museum volunteers run Saturday guided walks of the Abbey Quarter.
• Join a local Ramblers group such as Loddon Valley Ramblers.
• Join the community who walk every Wednesday lunchtime. Organised by WalksWork and funded by Reading BID. Sign up to their mailing list to get info on each week's walk.