The Gentlemen Danes
Reading Walks Festival 2024
Between 1807 and 1814, nearly 600 Danish prisoners of war lived in Reading 'on parole', i.e. embedded in the community, during a part of the Napoleonic Wars called The Gunboat War. Nearly all were merchant sailors. This walk traces places in the town connected with this fascinating, yet virtually unknown, period of the town's history.
Key facts
- Part of Reading Walks Festival 2024
- Learn something new on a guided tour - less walking/more talking
- Easy / 700 meters / 1.25 hours
- Start point: Outside Reading Minster. Finish Forbury Gardens
- Rainwear and umbrella if wet
- No planned refreshment break
- Toilets are at Town Hall en route
- Family friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
About the walk leader
The walk is led by John Nixon.
"I began researching the story of the Danish POWs after moving back to Reading from Denmark in the 1980s. After many years of researching the story of these unfortunate men, I published the results of the findings in a book called 'The Gentlemen Danes' in 2021."
Getting there
Only a short distance from many Reading Transport bus routes in the town centre. Bus stop St Mary’s Butts. 15 minute walk from Reading Station.
Meet location: https://what3words.com/caked.buzz.fumes
