Eastenders' Patrick Trueman promotes Caversham wellbeing walk

Mr Walker, who lives in Caversham and plays Patrick Trueman on the long-running BBC soap, introduced the route in a video shared by Reading Council on Facebook.

In the video, he narrates the Caversham Hills Wellbeing Walk and guides viewers through several local landmarks. The circular route starts at Reading Station, crosses the River Thames and continues through Caversham and Caversham Heights.

Rudolph Walker narrating a video on a Caversham walk to help people's wellbeing (Image: Reading Borough Council)

Mr Walker, 87, said: "I’m Rudolph Walker. You may also know me as Patrick Trueman in Eastenders and the older ones would probably remember me from Love Thy Neighbour.

"I am delighted to welcome you all to Caversham Hills wellbeing walk.

"Yes. walk. Walker by name and walker by nature."

The route begins on the Caversham side of Reading Station. Walkers make their way towards the Thames before crossing Christchurch Bridge. They then turn left and follow the river towards Caversham.

Mr Walker said: "Once across, you turn left and you follow the river, and the ducks," he joked.

The walk passes through Caversham centre and goes by Caversham Library in Church Street, which was built in 1907. Walker said he had spent time there reading and learning lines.

Mr Walker said: "Many a day I spent there reading books.

"Even in the quiet moments, learning my lines."

From Caversham, the route enters Balmore Park. Walker said the area provides views across Reading and pointed out a milepost marking the National Cycle Network.

Walkers then continue to Bugs Bottom, where the route includes wildflowers, butterflies and Olly’s bench, a memoriam to Olly Stephens, a 13-year-old who died after he was fatally stabbed in January 2021. The route later passes through residential streets before reaching Mapledurham Playing Fields.

Mr Walker said: "I’ve played many wonderful games of tennis here with neighbours and friends."

Next, the walk reaches St Peter’s Church and its churchyard. The council’s Facebook post says the church is among the places found along the route.

Walkers then continue to Caversham Court Gardens, beside the river. Walker described the gardens during the video and mentioned the head gardener, Will.

Mr Walker said: "Then head over to Caversham Bridge, where there was once a shrine visited by Catherine of Aragon."

The final section follows the Thames back towards Christchurch Bridge before returning to Reading Station.

Mr Walker said: "We head back to the station and I’m afraid that’s your walk done."

The route is six miles long and is circular.

Reading Council said route maps can be collected from Reading Town Hall and Reading libraries, or downloaded from its website.

For more information, visit reading.gov.uk.