Tech Town Today

Discover the story of Reading's transformation into a tech hub of international prominence, visiting key sites that shaped Reading's post-war ICT industry and laid the foundations for today's Thames Silicon Valley

Type of Walk
Guided tour - learning something new / more talking and less walking            

More detail
Today one of Europe's most important tech clusters, Reading's position at the beating heart of the Thames Silicon Valley, did not come about by chance. Historical forces in Reading created the conditions that would attract computing and hi- tech industries, bringing about a digital revolution with parallels to the industrial revolution of the 19th century.  Drawing from original research of this previously unchartered local history, walkers will gain fresh perspective on Reading's built environment and the special place our town has in the history and future of UK computing and technology. 

Starting from Town Hall square, the 2 km town centre route includes a riverside stroll, taking in some of Reading's contemporary architecture and hidden surprises in older parts of town. The journey will pass the sites and office buildings that have been home to the companies instrumental in establishing the town's hi-tech reputation from the early 1960s onwards.

Walk length / difficulty / accessibility
2 km / 1 mile / 2 hours / easy / not wheelchair accessible

Ticket price
£10

About the walk leader
Brendan Carr is the Community Engagement Curator at Reading Museum

Getting there
Reading Museum is a 2-minute walk from Reading Station and close to many town centre bus routes.
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