Reading Walks Festival 2026

Welcome to the Reading Walks Festival 2026. We are delighted to share over 40 walks this May, bringing alive the stories, heritage and landscapes of Reading and the surrounding countryside.

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 and even a cycle ride!

Reading has 1000 years of history to share, from a centre of medieval religion to Victorian industrial powerhouse – the stories live on in our urban townscape. And with the Thames, River Kennet and Kennet & Avon Canal flowing through the town, Reading also has lovely waterside walks, while the surrounding countryside offers easy access to green space in the Chilterns, Hampshire and West Berkshire.

The majority of the programme of walks cost just £3 although some will have a higher price if provided by a professional organisation.

Reading is a great location for a walks festival. Excellently served by public transport, it is easy to reach by bus and rail – and indeed most of our walks start/end points can be reached by public transport.

You can keep in touch with this year’s festival by subscribing to our mailing list here.