Wellbeing Walking Bingo
A sociable wellbeing walk along the Thames. And you can take part in our walking bingo game to see how much you notice.
Date and time
Location
Rivermead Leisure Centre
Richfield Avenue Reading RG1 8EQ United KingdomAbout this event
Key facts
- Part of the Reading Walks Festival 2024
- Sociable - make new friends while you are walking.
- Easy difficulty / 4.5km / 1.5 hours
- Start and finish: Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Ave
- Bring water and any food and drink that you may want during the walk. We will stop midway for a break. There are cafes and toilets at leisure centres at both start and finish of the walk.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Not family friendly
- This walk is repeated on 17 May at 11:00
About the walk
We will walk start our Wellbeing Walk at the new Rivermead Leisure Centre and head along Thameside Promenade and its thriving colony of ducks, geese and swans! Over Caversham Bridge we will then continue along Old Father Thames and underneath Reading Bridge. Heading through Hill's Meadow and along a small backwater, crossing a small footbridge at Heron Island to the tranquil natural open space of View Island and the relatively new Reading Hydro turbines at the weir. After crossing back over to the south bank of the Thames at Caversham Lock we will walk back along the towpath along the river, back beneath both bridges, past Christchurch Bridge - a Thames crossing for pedestrians, wheelchairs users and cyclists - and onto our last stretch before we return to Rivermead leisure centre where our Wellbeing Walk ends.
While we are on this Wellbeing Walk you will be encouraged to engage your noticing skills, pair up with one of your new walking buddies and take part in our Walking Bingo - it really is good for you to see what is around you, both natural and man-made!
About the walk leader
Mark Lyford is the walk leader.
"I am Sustrans Active Travel Officer for Reading, with extensive experience in leading walks and bike rides, both in the UK and in Europe. Always looking up and around when I walk – it is amazing what you notice if you look!"
Getting there
Meet point: Rivermead Leisure Centre, https://what3words.com/hook.both.points
Rivermead is accessible by public transport from the town centre and station using Reading Buses no.42 or on of the many buses that stop at the Moderation Public House on Caversham Road. The start is only a 15 minute walk from Reading train station.
Frequently asked questions
Sorry! Dogs are not permitted to join any of our walk unless a guide dog or assistance dog
Some of the walks are suitable for younger children. Please see each walk description. All children MUST be accompanied by a paying adult.
All our walk leaders have assessed their walk for accessibility, by which we mean the walk features smooth(ish!) pathways with ramps (if steps) and wide entrances for individuals with mobility challenges. Accessible walks will be identified in the walk description. Get in touch if in doubt.
We live in a country with changeable weather. There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes! The walks will take place in all but the worst weather. You will be notified by the walks leader if it is to be cancelled. If you aren’t able to attend, please alert the walks leader so your
We are unable to provide refunds if you can no longer attend. In the very unlikely situation that the Festival has to cancel the walk, you will be offered a full refund.
Your walk leader will have a list of everyone who has booked a ticket so you don’t need to bring a print out of your ticket. However, if you haven't booked in advance, your walk leader will not be able to accept you on the walk.
Please dress for the UK in May! It could be lovely, hot or rainy! Many of the walks are in urban areas so no special walking kit is required. Please do bring water though and a coat! For longer/countryside walks, please ensure you have suitable footwear/walking boots, rain protection etc.
Our walks are designed to link into the bus and train system so please try and use public transport. Details of how to reach the start/end point of the walk by public transport is given in each walk description. If parking is available, it will be included in the walk description.
Please do not come if you are feeling unwell. If you have any medical conditions, please either alert the walk leader and advise them of any medication you are carrying. Your health remains your responsibility at all times.
Once you have booked a walk, you will get an automatic confirmation of your place. Nearer the time, the walks leader will then contact you with his/her contact details and any special instructions for the day. The Festival organiser, REDA, can be reached at alex.brannen@reading.gov.uk