A Victoria Park Walkabout
Reading Walks Festival 2024
The walk will wander around some of the back streets of Victorian Reading. After reflecting on the history of the Oxford Road Community School we will wander the back streets and take a view of the design of a modern building squeezed into a small site by the railway line. Then through a park and passed what was the abattoir, now the home of the farmers' market/ auctions to stand by a herd of Friesians. We will consider the use of former historic pubs and breathe a sigh of relief that the Butler is still with us. After passing modern Chatham Place, we will wander west along Oxford Road to look at Holy Trinity and some works undertaken by the High Street Heritage Action Zone. Finally we will pass Reading's only remaining traditional gents outfitters, Demain, and then to coffee/ tea and chat at Barista and Beyond in Chatham Place.
As this is a walk developed with Terry's Reading Walkabouts he always appreciates it when people are willing to donate to his 2 charities, which in 2024-25 are The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and ABC to Read.
Key facts
- Part of Reading Walks Festival 2024
- Learn something new on a guided tour - less walking/more talking
- Medium difficulty / 2.5km / 2.5 hours
- Start point : Oxford Road Community School, Oxford Road
- Walking shoes. All on pavement/roads
- Stop at the end for refreshments.
- Family friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
About the walk leader
Richard Bennett is the walk leader.
"I have lived in West Reading, Baker St, since 1986. I am Chair of Reading Civic Society, Vice Chair of the Conservation Area Advisory Committee and a Trustee at Grade II* Watlington House. I have led several walks over the years, I hope to be joined by Terry Dixon (tbc)."
Getting there
Meet point: Oxford Road Community School https://what3words.com/income.slimy.pages . End Barista & Beyond, 5 Alfred St, RG1 7AT https://what3words.com/book.salads.pies
Use the No 17 bus to get to Oxford Rd Community School. We end very close to another bus stop on the Oxford Rd. The starting point is a 10 minute walk from the centre of Reading.
