The Reading Walks Festival 2026 will bring 43 guided walks to Reading, Berkshire, from 9 May to 17 May 2026 to celebrate local history and nature. This year’s event focuses on the town’s waterways and marks the 30th anniversary of the Thames Path National Trail, a 185-mile long path that opened in July 1996.
Organised by REDA (Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency), the programme features routes along the River Thames, River Kennet, Kennet & Avon Canal, and the Holy Brook. Local volunteer guides will lead groups on various trips, including wildlife tours and historical walks through the town.
Most of the walks cost £3 per person and organisers have included specific options for families and wheelchair users. The festival encourages people to use public transport, with all routes designed to start and end at local bus stops or railway stations.
The festival first began in 2023 when 800 walkers took part in 42 different events over five days. For the 2026 edition, there are no walks scheduled to take place on Monday 11 May or Tuesday 12 May.
Residents can now book their places through the Visit Reading website or the TicketSource booking platform. Each walk is led by a guide who will share facts about Reading’s heritage and countryside as the group travels along the water.
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