Reading - the Home of Photography
Reading Walks Festival 2024
Come and discover the ancient origins of photography starting with the camera obscura and hear the story of how Fox Talbot built on this knowledge and developed his technique in the 1830s. Visit the site of photos of old Reading from the same period and see what has remained and what has changed. Discover the role of Nicolas Henneman in the work - does he deserve more credit? View the Pencil of Nature and hear about its place in history as the first publication illustrated with photographs.
Key facts
- Part of Reading Walks Festival 2024
- Learn something new on a guided tour - less walking/more talking
- Easy difficulty / 1.6km / 1 hour
- Start - Outside Abbey Medical Centre, Russell Street. Finish - London Street
- No toilets en route
- Wheelchair accessible
- Family friendly
About the walk leader
David West is the walk leader.
"I run local tour company Walk Reading, have lived in Reading for over 20 years and am an enthusiastic advocate for the town. I have been leading tours in Reading since 2018 and am passionate about local history."
Getting there
Meet point: Abbey Medical Centre, https://what3words.com/shakes.trucks.smiles
Start point accessible by bus numbers 15,16 and 17. Finish point close to town centre and multiple bus routes.
