Reading's Milling Heritage

The "Reading's Milling Heritage" walk launched in 2024 is back. Taking place during Reading Walks Festival 2025, this guided walk offers a unique opportunity to explore some of Reading’s lesser-known industrial heritage. The walk starts at Watlington House, a Grade II* listed building and home to the Mills Archive Trust, who have used their archive to develop the route. The Trust is an educational charity and a repository to over three million records on milling. The walk leaflet also includes information on Reading’s renewable energy sites and how to visit.

First, a short exhibition displaying artefacts and records from the walks' sites will be displayed in the Trust's rooms. Margaret Simons, Mills Archive Trustee and historian will then guide attendees around various mill sites, narrating more about Reading’s milling heritage, associated structures and town history along the way.

This guided walk will take place on Sunday 11th May, from 10:00am to 12:30pm. The event will last for around 2.5 hours, and pre-booking is essential as spaces are limited. There is a step-free route if required.

Unlike many of the walks happening over the festival weekend, this event is free to attend. If you enjoy the walk and would like to support the work we do, there's the option to make a small donation towards our charitable running costs when you book. Every contribution helps us keep events like this going and is genuinely appreciated.