This walk was created as a product of the Reading EmPOWERed project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery fund (with thanks to lottery players).
Interact with the map by clicking on each stop to read more about its history, access audio files narrating the walk, and view extra images of the highlighted locations.
Below the map is a text-only list of the stops and walking directions, including alternative routes that provide step-free access.
Start: Watlington House, Home of the Mills Archive Trust
We start the walk outside of Watlington House and cross the road. Go left up St Johns Road then turn left into St Johns Street and carry on until you reach the corner with Queens Road on the left is the site of Meaby’s Bakery.
Now keep left onto Queen’s Road and continue until you are outside The Lyndhurst. Cross at the crossing to the traffic island then take the crossing to your right, you are now back on Watlington Street. Continue north until you reach the river Kennet. Turning to the right and looking along the river notice the red brick building with the name Huntley and Palmers.
Descend to the river by using the steps just by the traffic sign and at the bottom turn left. (For a step free walk continue on this side of the road and use the crossings to make your way to the corner of the Kings Road and Forbury Road, prison side.)
Along the route, look at the Kennet and Avon Canal: Here we have the canalised section of the river Kennet, part of the Kennet and Avon Canal. The river Kennet, its tributaries and channels are the very reason why we have a history of milling in the town and why Reading became a river port with wharves along its banks making it something of an entrepot. We will cross the river Kennet again just before we reach the prison.
When you reach the road turn sharp left again and make your way back onto Watlington St. Turn left here and proceed north, crossing the Kings Road using the crossing and continuing along Forbury Rd until the wall of Reading prison is on your left-hand side. Stop at the point where you are opposite Reading’s Banksy.
Keeping the prison wall to your left you will come to St James’ RC church. Ahead to your left take the entrance into the Forbury Gardens and make your way to the Maiwand Lion.
Make your way through the gardens, exit opposite St Laurence’s Church, cross the road here and keeping right cross Valpy St and stop when outside Walter Parsons Corn Stores, 10 Forbury.
Moving on past the corn stores turn left into Blagrave Street, across Valpy Street and on to Market Place, stopping in front of the Soane Monument.
Leave Market Place via Butter Market towards Broad St and keeping to your right go along Broad St and turn left onto Chain St. Continue straight on until reaching John Lewis on your left, on your right will be the Minster church of St Mary. Take the path between Bill’s restaurant and St Mary’s until you reach St Mary’s Butts, turn left here and proceed to the corner of Gun Street use the crossing, turn right and use the next crossing at the top of Bridge Street. You will now be at the corner with Castle St and continue until you reach no. 17.
Retrace your steps back to the corner of Bridge St and after using the crossing turn right until you reach a small access road on your left behind Zero Degrees. Proceed along this road and you will come to the Holy Brook and the backs of Gun Street properties on your left.
Along the route, look at the Holy Brook: It is the most northerly channel of the Kennet and is visible here and in Abbey Square. It is thought that some of this channel is man made and the work of Reading Abbey.
On your right will be the Oracle. This walkway is public access, so continue to use this thoroughfare until you reach an art installation on your left-hand side.
Continuing on our way we turn left here into Earley Place and proceed onto Minster Street where we are now opposite John Lewis.
Continue along here in the direction of Broad Street the George Hotel on your right-hand side. The hotel was once an 18th century coaching inn (Grade II listed). At the corner turn right on to the Kings Road and cross the road using the crossing turning right and proceed along the Kings Road in an easterly direction making your way to Abbey Square and turn left. Stop just in front of the Abbey Baptist Church.
The mill arch is accessible via a path and steps which runs alongside the Holybrook, behind the Baptist church. Take the path and you should be able to see the arch in front of you. (For a step free alternative continue past the Abbey Church until you reach the corner with Abbey Street and turn right. On the right-hand side is the Holy Brook and Abbey Mill Archway.)
Continue along the path and crossing the bridge turn right and exit onto Abbey Street where you will find an information panel on the Abbey Mill. This is the end of the walk.