On the trail of Danish POWs from the Napoleonic Wars
Reading Walks Festival 2025
11 May, 18:00
Between 1807-1814, nearly 600 Danish and Norwegian ships' captains, first mates and boys lived embedded in Reading as POWs on parole in private lodgings. Hear how they became valued members of the community.
Type of walk
Learn something new on a guided tour - less walking/more talking
More detail
We start at Reading Minster and move through The Market Place and St Laurence's Churchyard finishing in the Forbury Gardens, seeing memorials to two of the Danish prisoners en route and hearing about their lives in the town and how they interacted with the local townsfolk.
No refreshment stop on route, however if there is a demand, there will be time for a cafe or pub stop at the end. Rainwear and a brolly if wet or a hat if sunny are always useful.
Walk length / difficulty / accessibility
1km, approx. 2 hours / Easy / wheelchair accessible / family friendly
Ticket price
£3
About the walk leader
John Nixon is the author of the book, The Gentlemen Danes, which has filled a huge gap in our knowledge and understanding about this fascinating period of the town's history at the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
