The best city hikes and walks around Bramshill Plantation

The George is a decent pub for food and drinks near to the Wall of Fame at Loddon Bridge, a legal graffiti spot beneath the A329(M) where the concrete pillars are covered in murals, full height pieces, throw ups and street art that changes week by week. It’s well known locally as one of the few places where street artists can paint without hassle, so the walls are never static and that constant turnover is what it’s famous for. Access is straightforward also from The George pub car park, and its position right by the River Loddon makes it an easy detour from National Cycle Route 5 and other local paths. Flat and accessible on foot or bike, it’s worth a stop whether you’re passing through or planning a short loop – and pairing it with a pint at The George before or after is always an option.

In January 2020, a step on the Oxford Road side of Wokingham Railway Footbridge collapsed without warning, closing that side immediately. No injuries, but a reminder that “Grade II listed” doesn’t mean indestructible. Built in 1886 after two fatal accidents at the old level crossing, the bridge is a rare Victorian upcycle, made from recycled iron rails and timber sleepers. Its bowstring girder arch flows into the stairs, saving money and headaches. Now Grade II listed and likely the only one left in the UK, it even sports a Blue Plaque—old bridges get more fame than some locals. Closed for repairs in late 2020 and reopened mid-2021, work fixed rusty ironwork, replaced stair treads, and gave it a fresh coat of paint. The cost was part of a £6 million station upgrade. Naturally, the repairs added to local misery, as Wokingham’s overwhelmed roads and facilities coped with more construction and delays. No original blueprints survive, suggesting it was designed on-site, a “just get on with it” Victorian job before health and safety existed. Though a modern footbridge sits inside the station, the historic bridge remains open 24/7 without ticket barriers, offering a quicker route between Station Road and the town centre. Why wouldn’t anyone build this today? It fails almost every modern safety rule: steep stairs, no ramps or lifts. It wouldn’t pass accessibility laws. Reusing old rails and sleepers without testing? Not allowed. Modern bridges need certified materials, detailed plans, and gigs of CAD files. No plans means it was probably designed on the fly. Today’s bridges require more committee approvals than you can count. It also fails clearance, load, weatherproofing, and evacuation codes. Built for pedestrians only, it lacks anything for cyclists, proving bike-friendliness wasn’t quite Dutch-level common-sense priority for England’s officials and planners back then either. Replicating its unique parts would be expensive and nearly impossible to insure, unless your insurer enjoys thrills. In short, Wokingham Railway Footbridge is a charming Victorian oddity surviving on heritage, not engineering merit. Sometimes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” really means “good luck building this again.”

Pub with loyalty card (buy 9 pints, 10th free). Good small meal plates (3 for £17.95, 5 for £29.95). www.lordraglan.co.uk

After two serious accidents, it was decided to build this footbridge in late 1886. Although several footbridges of this type were constructed at the time, very few still exist, and possibly the one in Wokingham is the only one remaining. It is part of the Blue Plaque Trail (you can see its plaque on one of the footbridge's walls) and is a Grade II listed building.

Although the building you see dates back to 1860, it is not the original one, as a medieval guildhall stood on this site from 1612. This guildhall was demolished to construct the current building due to the significant industrial growth that Wokingham experienced in the mid-19th century. It currently houses the Wokingham Town Council and is designated as a Grade II listed building. You can find a Wokingham Society Historic Blue Plaque here.

This beautiful building, opened in the mid-1860s, replaces the old 16th-century guildhall that once occupied this location, which was demolished in 1858. There is evidence that the first town hall was located in a clockhouse right here in the Market Place, which was later replaced by the guildhall. This building is also part of the Wokingham Society's Blue Plaque Trail.

To the north east is Shinfield Studios, a new Film & TV production studio. A Star Wars spin off was being filmed there in 2022/23, but it is not without controversy. Many local people objected to the huge building which was once farmland.

With a little bit of science (to comply to the rules) and lots of cinema related activities.