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
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 Shepards 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.
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.