Exploring East Reading's Lakes
Reading Walks Festival 2025
A circular walk visiting 3 lakes to the east of Reading - South Lake, Maiden Erlegh Lake and Whiteknights Lake - and exploring their landscape and wildlife
Type of walk
Exercise - a healthy walk with some stopping points of interest. More walking/less talking.
More detail
The route will start outside the Three Tuns pub (at the end of the 17 bus route). It will head first through the High Wood Nature Reserve on the Woodley/Earley border, then provide a full circuit of South Lake in Woodley. A walk along quiet paths and streets will take us to a walk around Maiden Erlegh Lake, and another brief urban section will take us to woodlands leading to Whiteknights Lake, for a full circuit before returning to the Three Tuns. The walk will include brief details of the history of these three man-made lakes and will show how they provide oases for humans and habitats for wildlife.
No planned visits to cafes or pubs en route, but the Three Tuns PH or Park House on the University of Reading campus can be visited at the end of the walk. There are also cafes at Three Tuns crossroads. There will also be a brief stop at each of the lakes. Walking shoes/boots or train shoes advisable. Toilets at Three Tuns PH (for customers).
Walk length / difficulty / accessibility
8.8km, approx. 2-3 hours / Medium / not wheelchair accessible / family friendly
Ticket price
£3
About the walk leader
Steve Vale is an experienced walk leader with Loddon Valley Ramblers and has lived in Earley for over 30 years.
