Thames and Kennet walk

Download the Thames and Kennet walk leaflet

Length: 3 miles (5 km) walk or 4 miles (6.5km) longer walk

Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours (+ 30 minutes for longer walk)

Difficulty: Easy going. A flat route without major obstacles

Suitability: Accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs and scooters. The extended route includes stepped access, and so is not wheelchair accessible.

Start: Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ ///mile.legend.common

This walk explores riverside paths, open spaces and local landmarks. It starts at the Rivermead Leisure Centre and finishes at Reading Town Hall.

Map showing walk route.

Route highlights

A. Start at Rivermead Leisure Centre and walk along Thames Promenade, home to ducks, geese and swans!

B. Walk under Caversham Bridge, then continue alongside the Old Father Thames to Christchurch Bridge.

C. Cross the river at Christchurch Bridge and walk under Reading Bridge through Hill’s Meadow.

D. Cross the footbridge at Heron Island to explore the peaceful green space at View Island and see the Reading Hydro turbines near the weir.

E. Return to the south bank via Caversham Lock, continuing along the Thames Path.

F. Under the Great Western Railway mainline through The Biscuit Tunnel.

G. Past the Riverside Museum at Blakes Lock.

H. Through the Huntley Wharf development.

I. Into town via Forbury Gardens, finishing at Reading Town Hall.

Optional extension

At King’s Meadow there is an option of a longer walk staying on the Thames Path to the Kennet mouth.

  • A crossing over Horseshoe Bridge (this bridge has steps).
  • A return along the Kennet Canal-side Path to Watlington Street.
  • A reconnection with the main route near Reading Gaol at Chestnut Walk, continuing through the Forbury.

Places of interest on the Thames and Kennet route

Christchurch Bridge

Christchurch Bridge is a traffic-free bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. It links central Reading on the south bank of the Thames withCaversham on the north bank. The bridge crosses the river 200 metres (660 ft) downstream from Fry’s Island. The bridge opened on 30 September 2015 and has won a commendation in the 2016 recognition of outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment.

A modern pedestrian footbridge with white cable-stayed design spans across a river. The bridge features a single tall white mast with cables extending to support the walkway, and white railings line both sides. Several people can be seen walking across the bridge. In the foreground, there are distinctive orange/rust-colored cylindrical bollards or posts. The scene is set under a partly cloudy blue sky with lush green trees and parkland visible on both sides of the water. A few boats are moored along the riverbank in the distance.
Aerial view of prison with prison wall in the foreground.

Reading Gaol

Reading Gaol is a former prison built in 1844 on the site of Reading Abbey. The prison was officially closed in 2014, in 2024 it was sold to the Ziran Education Foundation. Which plans to create an educational centre, museum, and exhibition space.

The site is widely known as the place where Oscar Wilde was imprisoned. He served two years at the jail for gross indecency – a conviction based on his sexuality. Wilde later wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol about his time there. In 2021, the street artist Banksy painted The Great Escape mural on the prison wall. It Shows a prisoner escaping the old Reading Gaol, using a typewriter tied to a rope- A powerful symbol for the universal desire for liberty and self-determination.

Forbury Gardens

Forbury gardens is a Grade II listed public park in central Reading. It includes a number of historic features:

  • Forbury Hill – Built as part of Reading’s defences during the English Civil War in 1643.Find out more from Reading Museum – Forbury Hill
  • The Rustic Fountain – Installation dates from 1856 during the inauguration of the first gardens.
  • The Maiwand Lion – a war memorial that commemorates the soldiers of the Royal Berkshire Regiment who lost their lives at the Battle of Maiwand in 1880. Learn more from Reading Museum – Maiwand Lion, Reading
  • Memorial to Henry I – A grey stone cross erected in 1909, on the north-west corner the Abbey Church, where King Henry I is believed to be buried
  • The Bandstand – Live bands perform here on Sunday afternoons during July and August. See the Forbury Band Concert Season
Photograph of Maiwand Lion from ground looking up at the statue, showing base.

Last updated on 02/09/2025