Reading Walks Festival
10-14 May 2023
Welcome to the inaugural Reading Walks Festival. We are delighted to share over 40 walks with you over the five days of the festival, bringing alive the stories, heritage and landscapes of Reading and the surrounding countryside through a series of guided walks.
Our emphasis for the Reading Walks Festival is as much about telling the stories of Reading as walking for its own pleasure, so you’ll find that our volunteer guides have lots to share with you along the way. Our walks range from one-hour short walks to a 2-day pilgrimage. The majority of the programme of walks are free.
See What's On Events, FAQs and About Us links below for full information about the Festival and each walk.
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FAQs
How long are the walks?
The walks are mainly led by volunteer walks leader and range in length from between 1-2 hours to a full day (or two).
The length in Km and time is indicated on each walk description.
There is also a Easy/Medium/Hard rating to help guide you.
Where do the walks go?
Many of our walks are in the Reading urban area. These are generally quite short – an hour or two. However, many others start in the town centre and head out into the countryside.
A few are wholly outside Reading but are easily accessible by public transport from Reading.
What do the walks cost?
The majority of our walks are free thanks to the generosity of our volunteer walks leaders. Where there is a ticket price, this is clearly indicated in the walk description.
Who is the festival for?
Everyone is welcome to join a festival walk, and we have prepared an inclusive programme of walks so everyone should be able to find something.
However, please be aware that walk leaders reserve the right to refuse participation (at the start or during the walk) to any walker if they are not suitably attired or in the leader’s opinion feel they would be unable to undertake the whole walk.
Walkers under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Where walks are accessible or not suitable for children, it will say so on the walk listing.
Is there a printed programme?
All walks are bookable online only, but to get an overview of the whole programme, you can see a synopsis of all 41 walks through our e-programme. A printed version will be available through Reading libraries, Reading Museum and other outlets in mid- February.
Are dogs welcome?
Some of the walks are suitable for accompanied dogs on leads. Please see each walk description.
Are the walks family friendly?
Some of the walks are suitable for younger children. Please see each walk description.
Will the walks be cancelled if it rains?
We live in a country with changeable weather. There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!
The walks will take place in all but the worst weather. You will be notified by the walk's leader if it is to be cancelled.
If you aren’t able to attend, please alert the walks leader so your place can be given to someone on the waiting list.
If I'm running late will the walk wait for me?
We ask that you arrive 10 minutes before the published start time. Walks will start at the published time.
Please notify the walks leader if you are going to be late. They will advise if they are able to wait but they will need to prioritise the rest of the walking group.
What should I wear?
Please dress for the UK in May! It could be lovely, hot or rainy!
Many of the walks are in urban areas so no special walking kit is required. Please do bring water though and a coat!
For longer/countryside walks, please ensure you have suitable footwear/walking boots, rain protection etc - and please note if a packed lunch is required.
Will there be parking available?
Most of our walks are designed to link into the bus and train system so please try and minimise your carbon footprint by using public transport.
Details of how to reach the start/end point of the walk by public transport is given in each walk description.
If parking is available, it will be included in the walk description.
What do I do if I am unwell?
Please do not come if you are feeling unwell - but please do let the walk's leader know if you're no longer able to attend.
If you have any medical conditions, please either alert the walk leader and advise them of any medication you are carrying, or ensure you have this information noted on a piece of paper on your person/in your backpack, so the leader can search for it in an emergency situation.
Your health remains your responsibility at all times. Please be aware that walk leaders are not first aid trained. In the event of an emergency, their role will be to provide basic care and to call in professional help.
Risks & liability
All walkers walk at their own risk and neither Reading Walks Festival nor their walk guides can take responsibility for personal injury or loss or damage to any property.
How do I get in touch?
Once you have booked a walk, you will get an automatic confirmation of your place. Nearer the time, the walks leader will then contact you with his/her contact details and any special instructions for the day.
The Festival organiser, REDA, can be reached at alex.brannen@reading.gov.uk or 07860 779166
