Reading – River Walk 1

Caversham and Christchurch Bridges

A scenic riverside walk from Reading Railway Station through the underpass, across Christchurch and Caversham Bridges, and back along the peaceful south bank of the Thames, offering a mix of urban views and natural beauty.

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Looking east from near Caversham Bridge

Start your walk at Reading Railway Station and head through the underpass tunnel beneath the station, emerging near the River Thames. Follow the riverside path east and cross the modern Christchurch Bridge, enjoying views of the water and the mix of historic and contemporary buildings along the riverbanks. Continue across Caversham Bridge, which connects the town center to the leafy suburb of Caversham.

For your return, walk along the quieter south side of the Thames, taking in peaceful riverside scenery, occasional boats, and green spaces perfect for a break. This route offers a pleasant blend of urban sights and natural beauty, ending back at Reading Railway Station after a refreshing riverside stroll.

Distance 2.76 km (1.71 miles)
Walking Time 35 minutes
Difficulty Moderate

Looking east from near Caversham Bridge

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Map Instructions

Navigating the Map

Follow the numbered markers 1 in ascending order. If the route loops back on itself, markers for both directions may appear at the same location or appear out of sequence. Directions are given at the bottom of the popup associated with each numbered marker.

Interacting with the Markers

Click/tap the numbered 1 markers for information about that point and route directions. Click on the lettered A markers for points of interest along the route.

Zooming

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Re-centering

Click the ‘RE-CENTRE MAP’ button to re-centre the map.

User Location

If using a mobile device, your location is shown as a blue dot, so you can easily check you’re on course.

Scrolling the Page

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Route Summary & Highlights

Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the route. Each numbered section matches the markers shown on the above map and includes clear directions to guide you along the way.

Beneath each step, you’ll also find information about nearby points of interest (marked with letters on the map), helping you discover more as you go. You can expand each step to read through the journey in order or use it as a quick overview before setting off.

1

Reading Station

Start at the main entrance to the main Reading railway station.

Directions:

Walk west, keeping the station on your right. Go down the steps and enter the tunnel beneath the station.

2

Reading Railway Station Tunnel (South Entrance)

The tunnel runs under the station.

Directions:

Take the tunnel short cut towards the river Thames.

3

Railway Station Tunnel (northern exit)

View from just outside the north exit of the station’s tunnel

Directions:

Turn right passing the Reading Station ticket office on your right, then left towards Vastern Road.

4

Vastern Road (south side)

Directions:

Cross over Vastern road, then turn right and left into Norman place.

5

The River at Norman Place

River vIew of Christchurch bridge

River view with Reading bridge

There are usually plenty of swans, ducks and geese along the river.

Directions:

Turn left and walk along the river and up the ramp leading to Christchurch bridge

6

Christ Church Bridge (South Side)

Directions:

Cross the bridge over the Thames.

A

Christchurch Bridge

The Christchurch Bridge in Caversham is a striking pedestrian bridge that spans the River Thames, linking Reading town centre with the northern suburb of Caversham. Opened in 2015 and named after the nearby Christchurch Meadows. Its design features a single 68-metre span supported by 14 pairs of cables attached to a dramatic 39-metre steel mast, giving it a distinctive, modern profile on the river.

Cost: Approximately £5.9 million, funded via Reading Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Opened: 30 September 2015.

River view looking west from the bridge.

The bridge includes elegant LED lighting built into the handrails and mast, creating a visually impressive night-time feature. The southern end of the bridge is accessed via a curved ramp and staircase, which blends into the landscape with corten steel balustrades that evoke riverside reeds.

Looking west along the River Thames as it splits around Fry’s Island — this is the quieter backwater to the right of the island, with the main channel flowing on the left.

7

Christ Church Bridge (North Side)

Directions:

Turn left and follow the footpath towards the river.

B

War Memorial

Caversham War Memorial stands near Caversham bridge, overlooking the River Thames — a quiet tribute to the local men and women who gave their lives in times of war.

Bronze plaques on the memorial honour the fallen of the First and Second World Wars and Afghanistan (2001 – 2021) bearing the names of those from Caversham who served and sacrificed.

8

River Path (North Side)

Directions:

Follow the path to the right and walk towards Promenade road.

9

Promenade Road/A4155

Directions:

Turn left on to Bridge street and walk over the bridge.

C

Caversham Bridge

Caversham Bridge is a historic crossing over the River Thames, linking the suburb of Caversham (now part of Reading, Berkshire) with central Reading. It carries the A4155 road and pedestrians across two concrete and granite arches.

Medieval Beginnings

The first bridge was built between 1163 and 1231, during the reigns of Henry II and Henry III.

A chapel dedicated to St Anne stood on the bridge—pilgrims came to view a relic (a spearhead tied to Christ’s Passion)

The bridge saw Civil War action in 1643, when Parliamentary forces damaged it by removing part of the Berkshire side to block Royalist troops from Oxford.

In 1869, it was replaced with an iron lattice structure, but it soon became too narrow for growing traffic so to cope with increasing demand, the existing concrete and granite bridge was constructed in the 1920s, opened in 1926 by Edward, Prince of Wales. It features two arch spans, a 15 ft clearance.

10

Bridge St.

Directions:

Turn left and follow the footpath to the river.

11

Thames Path near Caversham Bridge

Directions:

Turn right and walk along the Thames path.

D

Caversham Bridge (south-east side)

One of Caversham Bridge’s arches, framing a quiet stretch of the Thames frequented by rowers, kayakers, and leisure boats.

Caversham Bridge – twin arches spanning the Thames, connecting Reading with its northern neighbour.

The view along the river from near Caversham bridge.

E

Fry's Island

Fry’s Island—also known as De Montfort Island—is a privately occupied natural island in the River Thames, located between Reading and Caversham, just upstream of Caversham Lock and next to Christchurch Bridge.

The island is home to the Island Bohemian Bowls Club, a private bowling green established in 1908 as the “Old Codgers Club.” It is one of the few bowling clubs in the country that can only be accessed by ferry.

12

The River at Norman Place

Directions:

Turn right into Norman place, when you reach Vastern road turn right towards the pedestrian crossing.

13

Vastern Road (North Side)

Directions:

Walk over the pedestrian crossing and continue towards the station then right towards the tunnel.

14

Railway Station Tunnel (north exit)

The tunnel was refurbished in 2024.

Directions:

Take the tunnel short cut towards the main station entrance.

15

The train station tunnel

Directions:

Turn left then up the stairs towards the railway station main entrance.

16

Reading Station

Congratulations on completing the walk! I hope you enjoyed it. I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share any feedback via the contact page.

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