A Reading Miscellany
Reading Walks Festival 2024
11 May 2024-15 May 2024
Come and join us and discover the general history of the town; when was it founded? who by? where was the original town centre? what are the origins of Reading street names such as Valpy Street, Blagrave Street, Gun Street, St Mary's Butts and Friar Street? where was the site of the world's largest biscuit factory? why did a famous Victorian gothic architect abandon his usual style for a Reading church? which Reading buildings were the subject of some of the earliest known photographs? what used to stand on the site of the Oracle Shopping Centre? what was the site of a Spitfire factory in World War 2? where were Reading's botanical gardens?
Key facts
- Part of Reading Walks Festival 2024
- Learn something new on a guided tour - less walking/more talking
- Easy difficulty / 1.5km /1 hour
- Start: Banksy Mural, Old Reading Gaol
- Toilets available en route at Reading Museum, Oracle Shopping Centre and Reading Station
- Family friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
About the walk leader
David West is the walk leader.
"I run local tour company Walk Reading, have lived in Reading for over 20 years and am an enthusiastic advocate for the town. I have been leading tours in Reading since 2018 and am passionate about local history."
Getting there
Meeting point: Banksy Mural, Old Reading Gaol, Forbury Road https://what3words.com/windy.lift.gloves
Walk starts and finishes close to Reading station and multiple city centre bus stops
