Tech Town Today
Reading Walks Festival 2025
A town centre walking tour, telling the tale of Reading's transformation into a tech town today of international prominence. The walk complements the current Reading’s Digital Revolution exhibition at Reading Museum.
Type of walk
Exercise - a healthy walk with some stopping points of interest. More walking/less talking,
More detail
Join its curator Brendan Carr as he visits some of the key sites in Reading’s post-war ICT industry development. Reading's evolution into one of Europe's most important tech clusters and its position at the beating heart of the Thames Silicon Valley, did not come about by chance. Historical forces in Reading created the conditions that would attract computing and hi- tech industries, bringing about a digital revolution with parallels to the industrial revolution of the 19th century. Drawing from original research of this previously unchartered local history, walkers will gain fresh perspective on Reading's built environment and the special place our town has in the history and future of UK computing and technology.
Starting from Town Hall square, the 2 km town centre route includes a riverside stroll, taking in some of Reading's contemporary architecture and hidden surprises in older parts of town. The journey will pass the sites and office buildings that have been home to firms instrumental in establishing the town's hi-tech reputation from the early 1960s onwards. Toilets at the start. Steady footwear and check weather forecast for rain, to dress accordingly.
Walk length / difficulty / accessibility
2km / 2 hours / Medium / Not wheelchair accessible / Not family friendly
Ticket price
£10
About the walk leader
Brendan Carr is the Community Engagement Curator at Reading Museum.
