Caversham walk

Download the Caversham walk route leaflet

Length: 6 miles (9.5 km)

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate – this walk has quite long uphill and downhill sections and a set of steps at the entrance to Balmore Park. The walking surfaces are a mixture of pavement, gravel and woodland tracks.

Suitability: This walk is suitable for wheelchair users or with a push chair or stroller but with a diversion along Hemdean Road to avoid the steps into Balmore Park. The gravel and woodland tracks can be muddy or even flooded after wet weather-.

Start and end: Reading Station (North) Trooper Watts Way

Map showing route of Caversham walk.

Route highlights

A. This circular walk starts at Reading Railway Station and heads north over the River Thames into Kings Meadow.

B. Follow along the promenade to the centre of Caversham.

C. It then heads through Balmore Park onto Rotherfield Way.

D. Travel along to Bugs Bottom then follows the traffic-free Gravel Hill up to the northern boundary of the town.

E. At gravel hill follow the road down to Shepherds Lane and Woodcote Way.

F. The walk takes a brief amble through Caversham Heights leading to Mapledurham Park.

G. Head back downhill to St Peter’s Church.

H. And next is to Caversham Court Gardens.

I. Go over Caversham Bridge.

J. The final section takes you back along the south bank

K. Finishing back by Reading Station

Places of interest along Caversham Walk route

Bugs Bottom

Bugs Bottom is a green chalk valley made up of pleasant grass meadows and mature woodland. It is criss-crossed with trails and has a bridleway that allows cyclists and horses to pass through. Expect some steep slopes as well as amazing butterflies in spring and a wide variety of birds to spot throughout the year.

The image shows a scenic aerial view of rolling English countryside during autumn or winter. The landscape features gently undulating fields with a patchwork of green pastures and farmland stretching into the distance. A winding line of bare deciduous trees and hedgerows cuts through the fields, following what appears to be a natural valley or watercourse. The trees display the brown and russet colours typical of late autumn, with their branches mostly bare of leaves. In the foreground, there are areas of rougher grassland and scrubland. The sky is partly cloudy with blue patches visible, and the overall lighting suggests either morning or late afternoon. The scene captures the quintessential English rural landscape with its mix of agricultural fields, woodland boundaries, and natural topography.
The image shows a medieval stone church with a distinctive square tower. The church appears to be built from flint and stone, typical of historic English parish churches, with Gothic arched windows visible in the tower and what looks like a weather vane or cross at the top. In the foreground, there's a beautiful flowering tree in full pink blossom, likely cherry or magnolia, which adds a vibrant splash of colour to the scene. The surrounding landscape is lush and green with various trees, some still bare from winter whilst others are beginning to show fresh spring foliage. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue, creating a typical English spring day atmosphere.

St Peter’s Church

St Peter’s Church is located near Caversham Court Gardens. The church dates from the 12th century, while the current tower was built in 1878. The church still holds many historical features. It has magnificent stained-glass windows and is much bigger inside than it looks from outside. St Peter’s offers views that overlooks Caversham Court and the River Thames.

Last updated on 08/09/2025