Description
Starting from the station, where Michael Bond saw the evacuees that inspired him to write Paddington Bear, this walk seamlessly blends ancient and modern Reading. It first weaves its way through the town’s busy shopping streets before reaching the delightfully positioned restaurant district beside the River Kennet. A wander through the indoor Oracle Shopping Centre leads back in the direction of Market Place Square and tranquil Forbury Gardens. Forbury is a welcome oasis on the edge of the town centre, a far cry from its origins as a rough patch of open ground, where horses grazed and pilgrims waited for services at the abbey church. Founded in 1121 by Henry I, Reading Abbey was once one of the richest and most important religious houses in the country. Today only its ruins remain, but its significance as a centre of pilgrimage continues with the Abbey marking the start of the 68-mile Camino Ingles.
Walk Instructions
- From the front of the station, with the bus stands straight ahead, turn right towards Thames Tower and then left down Station Road.
- Continue into pedestrianised Queen Victoria Street with John Lewis ahead. When in front of John Lewis turn right and walk along Broad Street for a short distance. This is the main pedestrianised shopping street in Reading.
- Opposite Boots turn down narrow Chain Street towards St Mary the Virgin Church.
- Walk diagonally across the church green towards the junction of Gun Street and Bridge Street.
- Cross over and walk down Bridge Street towards the bridge, passing the Civic Centre on the right. Go over the bridge and turn left by Wagamama to walk beside the River Kennet/Oracle Riverside Walk.
- Just before Vue Cinema turn left and cross the river on the footbridge to go into the Oracle Shopping Centre. The toilets can be found on the ground floor to the right of the escalator along with the lifts for pushchairs/wheelchairs.
- Aim to come out of the shopping centre by Primark on Broad Street.
- Turn right and then immediately left by Starbucks onto Butter Market. Follow this through to reach Market Place Square with St Laurence’s church ahead. Walk towards the church and bend right around the corner.
- Walk a short distance before crossing and entering Forbury Gardens straight ahead. The Maiwand Lion and Forbury Hill are straight ahead and the ruins of former Reading Abbey can be reached in the far corner.
- After visiting the Abbey ruins walk back through the park, past the Crown Court gate house and cross over to the church yard of St Laurence. Walk through the churchyard to reach the Town Hall Square.
- Turn right and walk up Blagrave Street – Reading Museum will be on the right.
- At the end of the road the station will be on the left.
Useful Link
Toilets in the Oracle Centre; Camino Ingles
Start and End
Reading Station
Distance
2 miles
Time
1 hour if only walking, not stopping
Grade
1/10 – very flat
Accessibility
Push/wheelchair accessible
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