• Make a contribution
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Monday, July 21, 2025
  • Login
Reading Today Online
  • HOME
  • YOUR AREA
    • All
    • Caversham
    • Central Reading
    • East Reading
    • Katesgrove
    • Reading
    • Southcote & Coley
    • Tilehurst & Norcot
    • Whitley
    PRIDE OF READING AWARDS: RSSL are driving scientific excellence

    PRIDE OF READING AWARDS: RSSL are driving scientific excellence

    Major disruptions expected all day on trains between London Waterloo to Reading

    Formal request to be made for western suburbs to be brought under the control of Reading council

    West Berkshire says ‘get off my patch’ to Reading following attempt of land grab

    Weaknesses found in protection of vulnerable children in Reading

    Green Park wins national award for health and wellbeing excellence

    PRIDE OF READING AWARDS: Founder of Nemesis Martial Arts provides essential life skills

    PRIDE OF READING AWARDS: Founder of Nemesis Martial Arts provides essential life skills

    Reading conference showcases waste and recycling best practice

    Fire Service taking applications for new cadets for new academic year

  • COMMUNITY
  • READING FC
  • SPORT
    • All
    • Basketball
    • Football
    • Rugby

    Reading FC midfielder Knibbs linked with Championship move

    Reading FC forward Ehibhatiomhan features in friendly despite unresolved future

    Reading FC new signing picks up injury in pre-season match

    Reading FC in advanced talks to sign Nottingham Forest winger Josh Bowler

    Reading FC will find it tough to replicate ‘sensational’ season according to EFL pundit

    ‘We have a special season upon us’: Reading FC fans enjoy open day at Bearwood Park

    Yakou Meite teases fans over possible Reading FC return with latest social media post

    Racing star Bobby extends his championship lead with another race win

    Trialists revealed, including Wales international, as potential signings feature in Reading FC pre-season friendly

  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • ARTS
    • READING FESTIVAL
    • READING PRIDE
    • WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL
  • PRIDE OF READING
  • OBITUARIES
  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Reading Today Online
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

FREE Christmas Day walk round Reading for people who would otherwise be on their own

Phil Creighton by Phil Creighton
Thursday, December 21, 2023 8:01 am
in Featured, Reading
A A
Banksy's artwork for Reading Gaol

Banksy's artwork for Reading Gaol

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

For many, a festive walk is a must, not least as there are copious calories consumed with a Christmas dinner. But for some people taking part in a stroll through the town it’s to ensure they spent Christmas Day in the company of others.

Inspired by Fourbears Books in Caversham opening its doors for people who would otherwise be on their own on December 25, the team behind Walk Reading have devised a special route on Monday and are inviting people to join them.

The group, which explores the heritage of the town, had already planned a series of Twixmas walks starting on Boxing Day, but have added this extra event that will showcase some of the best bits of the town.

It will include the origins of some of Reading’s street names including Gun Street and St Mary’s Butts, as well as unpacking the story behind the town’s architecture and role in both biscuits and photography worlds.

The hour-long event starts at 10am from the Banksy mural on the side of Reading Gaol. Places should be booked in advance.

David West, who helps organise Walk Reading events, said: “I’m really conscious that while Christmas is a great sociable time of year for many not everybody is lucky enough to have opportunities to engage with others. I thought that, in a small way, I could help with that and offer some opportunities to meet other local people and spend some time talking about our great town.”

Related posts

Reading FC midfielder Knibbs linked with Championship move

A look around abandoned Reading Lake Hotel a decade after devastating fire

Games shop in Reading announces temporary closure due to relocation

Plan approved for burger restaurant to take over former cocktail bar at The Oracle

The event will take place whatever the weather, and he can’t wait to have people join him.

“It’s so stimulating sharing the history of the town with interested people especially when they are surprised about the richness of it. If I’m also helping somebody spend time in company that they otherwise wouldn’t have done then that is even better,” he said.

The Christmas Day and Twixmas walks are all part of an ongoing programme of events that operate all year round.

What does David attribute to their success?

“I think the main factor is just how interesting our town is,” he said.

“Reading doesn’t have the reputation that other UK and international towns has but we do have some world class stories to tell such as the Abbey, the inspiration for Paddington Bear, the story of Oscar Wilde and the gaol, our role in the invention of photography and, of course, as the home of the world’s biggest biscuit factory.

“Many of our walkers are international visitors visiting friends in Reading and often both they and their hosts are unaware of some of the stories.”

The General Reading walk also takes place on Boxing Day, with a Reading At War walk the same day. A tour of Reading Abbey follows on Wednesday, December 27, and Forbury Gardens on Thursday, December 28.

Reading – the home of photography is the subject for Friday, December 29’s walk, with another general walk on Saturday, December 30.

Places for these walks cost £9.

For more details, or to book, log on to: www.walk-reading.co.uk

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Previous Post

Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes new measures to tackle spiking

Next Post

Reading climbing centre to host Kendal Mountain Masters Tour

FOLLOW US

POPULAR STORIES

  • 47-year-old woman arrested after two pedestrians die in road traffic collision in Caversham

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Former Reading FC striker Andy Carroll joins new club in England after leaving France

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reading FC forward given ultimatum over future at the club

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Masked men armed with weapons rob store in Reading

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Man from Reading arrested after teen dies in road collision

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

RDG.Today – which is a Social Enterprise – provides Reading Borough with free, independent news coverage.

If you are able, please support our work

Click Here to Support RDG.Today

ABOUT US

Reading Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Reading. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Reading Borough.

CONTACT US

news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Reading Today Logo

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: editor@wokingham.today, or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Central Reading
    • East Reading
    • Bracknell
    • Calcot
    • Caversham
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
  • COMMUNITY
  • SPORT
    • Reading FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • Basketball
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • ARTS
    • READING FESTIVAL
    • READING PRIDE
    • WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL
  • PRIDE OF READING
  • OBITUARIES
  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT US
  • SUPPORT US
  • SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION

© 2021 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.