Reading Walks Festival 2024 programme announced

6th March 2024

REDA, Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, has announced the programme for the Reading Walks Festival 2024. Following on from last year’s successful inaugural festival, the 2024 festival will see almost 50 guided walks take place across nine days in May.

Each walk in the Reading Walks Festival is led by a local volunteer and is designed to bring to life the stories, heritage, wildlife and landscapes of Reading and the surrounding countryside.

The focus of the festival is as much about telling the stories of Reading as walking for its own pleasure, but there will be social walks, walks for exercise as well as many walks to learn something new about Reading.

The festival is suitable for all ages and walking ability with walks ranging in length from a one-hour wellbeing stroll to a two-day pilgrimage.

The Reading Walks Festival programme is very diverse and includes guided walks following in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, walks tracing the early life of poet Wilfred Owen and the Reading of Jane Austen, an appreciation of Reading architecture, a dawn walk to enjoy birdsong, family active walks, sensory walks and dipping into the history of our local brewing industry. There are also walks along the Thames and Kennet, explorations of our parks and gardens, walks around the University’s campuses and walks out into the countryside accessed from local railway stations.

Alex Brannen, Festival Organiser, said: “The Reading Walks Festival aims to introduce people to our urban heritage and culture as well as showcase the diversity of the local wildlife and natural landscapes. All our walks are different. Some will be more talking than walking to help you learn more about a subject; some will be social occasions - just walking and chatting - and others will be more about just enjoying the walk for its own sake.

“You don’t need to be a keen walker to take part.  Our guided walks range in length from an hour’s gentle walk to 40 km along the St James’ Way.”

• There are 15 family friendly walks
• There are 15 wheelchair accessible walks*
• Over 50% of the walks cost just £3 (free for accompanying children)
• There are 5 free walks in the programme
• All walks link into the public transport system with information provided on bus routes and train access to start/finish points. In 2023, over 70% of festival walkers reached the walks starting points without the need for a car.

The Festival is supported by GWR as the Official Transport Partner of the Reading Walks Festival 2024.

The full programme can be found at readingwalksfestival.org. Last year, many walks booked up quickly so we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

*All our walk leaders have assessed whether their walk is wheelchair accessible, by which we mean the walk features smooth-ish pathways with ramps (if there are steps) and wide entrances for individuals with mobility challenges. However, we do recommend that anyone wishing to clarify accessibility should get in touch with us if before booking as access requirements differ from person to person.

There is a minimum £3 charge on most walks. This is to try and avoid the issue of people booking lots of walks because they are free and then not turning up! However, a few walks remain free while some walks led by professional guides or organisations have a higher cost. £3 from every walk will be reinvested in the Festival, which is a not-for-profit enterprise.  

Reading is excellently served by public transport and most of the walks are designed to start and end at bus stops or railway stations. We are asking people to use the greenest transport they can to join the walks.

All walks must be booked in advance. The full programme and detailed information about each walk, along with booking instructions, can be found at readingwalksfestival.org

Reading Walks Festival is organised by REDA (Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency). Each walk is planned and led by a local volunteer who will be sharing their expertise and enthusiasm for Reading (a few of the walks are led by professional guides). Reading Walks Festival is supported by whatsonreading.com, Reading Buses and our Travel Partner GWR.

Details of the full programme are available on the Festival website. You can also download the programme here>>>