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Town and borough in Berkshire, England
Photo: Tom Bastin from Reading, UK, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Reading (pronounced like "redding", not "reeding") is a large, historic town in Berkshire in the South East of England. It is one of the largest towns without city status in the United Kingdom with just under 235,000 inhabitants. Its main attractions are the medieval abbey ruins and minster church, the rivers Thames and Kennet and surrounding countryside of the Berkshire Downs and Chiltern Hills. It is a major regional shopping centre with a wealth of restaurants and pubs.
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Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin
A historic church from 11th century.
These beautiful formal gardens were once part of Reading Abbey, and the ruins of the Abbey can be found between the park and the river Kennet. The Abbey's founder and benefactor was Henry I and he was buried in front of the high altar in 1136. The Abbey went on to become one of the most important religious and political centres in England. A few of the Abbey's buildings still exist intact, including St Laurence's Church and the Gateway, and the ruins themselves offer a fascinating glimpse of the abbey. Open during daylight hours. Free. The gardens were restored to their former glory and reopened in Spring 2005. The Abbey Ruins were re-opened in June 2018 following a £3 million Heritage Lottery Fund project, Reading Abbey Revealed.
In Reading's Victorian Town Hall, the museum explores the history of the area, from the Roman city at nearby Silchester through mediaeval Reading and its Abbey to the coming of the railways and Reading's 3Bs (Biscuits, Beer & Bulbs) economy. The museum also displays a full size reconstruction of the Bayeux Tapestry, made by the Leek Embroidery Society in the late 19th century. Open Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 4pm, Saturday: 10am - 5pm Closed: Sundays, Bank Holidays. Closed: Mondays (except during Berkshire February and October school half-terms). Closed: Easter Bank Holiday weekend (including Good Friday), and from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day.
A museum about the history of food, farming and the countryside in England. It has several galleries showing how the countryside is shaped by nature and human activities. There is also a garden and a cafe.
Founded in 1922 by husband and wife classicists Prof Percy Ure and Dr Annie Ure, this university museum houses one of the largest British collections of ancient Greek ceramics. Also in the collection are an Etruscan amphora depicting Troilus, an Egyptian mummified cat's head and a model boat from the 20th century BCE.
This beautiful Palladian mansion was built in 1776-83. The interior is notable for its original delicate plaster work and elegant staircase. The early 19th-century pleasure grounds are being restored, and there are waymarked trails through the parkland. Accessible by road or take the Thames Travel 132 bus from Reading (see 'Get Around' section for contact info).
Mapledurham is a village with a special charm of its own, set in the valley of the River Thames, below the Goring Gap. Its cottages, church, almshouses and Watermill, with the old brick and flint walls, backed by the Elizabethan mansion and the still older manor house of Mapledurham Gurney, together retain an ancient village pattern which is rare today. The Watermill produces flour for sale, with wheat still ground by the traditional millstones. Accessible either by boat (see Thames Rivercruise in the 'Do' section) or a 15-minute drive from Reading
Known to the Romans as Calleva Atrebatum, the town was abandoned after the Roman era which means that much of the archeology remains. All that is left on the surface now are a complete ring of city walls and the amphitheater. Nearby is an attractive little mediaeval church. Away from the rivers that have dictated the area demographics, Calleva Atrebatum is about as isolated a place as you will find in south-east England; on a spring weekday you are likely to find yourself sharing the ruins only with cows. Parts of the walls are on private land with no public access. Unfortunately there is no bus service between Reading and the site. You can take the train to Bramley and follow the Silchester Trail from there. Alternatively, take the no.2 bus from Reading to Mortimer, and walk from there along quiet lanes and footpaths (about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) - you may need a map to find the way). There is some car parking space at the church and a larger car park at grid ref. SU637629. The site is some distance away from the modern village of Silchester.
Small, but has a number of old aircraft.
A 350-acre (140 hectares) park dedicated to the conservation of birds and a smaller selection of mammals, with children's playgrounds, cafeteria and a narrow gauge railway.
Day trips from Reading to Henley-on-Thames and return with 3 hours ashore in Henley (or you can return by train). Also less frequent trips from Wallingford to Reading. Depart from outside the Riverside Restaurant just downstream of Caversham Bridge.
Run cruises to Mapledurham House & Watermill (see the 'See' section) at 2PM on Sa Su & public holidays from April through September; and shorter trips during the same days. Depart Thameside Promenade just upstream of Caversham Bridge.
A very attractive walk can be had by leaving Reading on the Thames towpath from Reading Bridge and Caversham Lock (both about a 5-min walk from the downtown area) and simply following the towpath to the old village of Sonning. This walk is about 4 miles in length, and traverses open landscape and wooded river margins. Return the same way, or catch a bus back (buses roughly hourly; no service on Sunday).
Another attractive walk is to leave Reading on the Thames-side Promenade from Caversham Bridge (about a 10-min walk from the downtown area) and follow the towpath to the point where it abruptly ends (the site of an old ferry where the towpath crossed to the other bank). From here a path brings you up to the main Reading to Oxford road in the suburb of Tilehurst. A five-minute walk towards Reading on this road brings you to Tilehurst rail station, from where there are frequent buses and trains back to Reading. This walk is about 3 miles (5 km).
A series of walks from Goring Railway Station (15 minutes by train or 10 miles (16 km) by road). The walks are from 4 to 10 miles (6 to 16 km) and a leaflet is available by phoning or from the website.
A trip by train. Catch the train from Reading to Bourne End station and then take a delightful 6-mile (10 km) stroll along one of the most attractive stretches of the River Thames to the pretty Thameside town of Marlow before catching the train back.
Provides a walking (or cycling or even horse-riding) route from the Thames in Reading all the way to Bath. Even the part of the canal within Reading is quite pleasant and sometimes seems positively rural, in contrast to the commercial developments nearby. Since the Reading Westbury train line more or less follows the canal, it is possible to plan a trip on foot in one direction and return by train to your starting point.
"The Royals" were relegated in 2023 and now play soccer in League One, England's third tier. Their home ground (capacity 24,000) is Madejski Stadium (sponsored by Select Car Leasing).
This circuit is expertly crafted for adrenaline and excitement. With two levels, a dramatic flyover, tight technical sections, and fast straights, the layout encourages competitive racing and rewards confident driving. The electric karts offer instant acceleration, sharp handling, and zero emissions, making every lap smooth and satisfying.
Housed in the charming village of Caversham just over the river from Reading on the north side (just over Caversham Bridge and turn right and then left into Prospect Street; a 20-min walk from town centre - but worth it). The food is authentic Indian and Bengali cuisine. Tastes divine and the service is exemplary. Ladies receive a rose on departure. Decor is contemporary with deep blue glass being a signature of the restaurant. Takeaway service is also available.
A pub chain-owned English pub, with a strong emphasis on traditional pub food favourites, vegetarian, fish and meat specialities.
At the foot of London Street, with views out to the Kennet and Oracle this is a young and informal restaurant serving modern European food. The atmosphere is relaxed and service is always friendly if occasionally haphazard. The set menu is particularly good, at £15 for two courses or 3 for £19, as prices à la carte can be relatively high. This is served noon-7PM every day. £30-350 including wine, à la carte.
A well-known Reading establishment, which specialises in a huge range of delicious pies ranging from the traditional to new and innovative. Originally just a small pie shop, the restaurant has now extended into a conservatory out back, and into a maze of whitewashed cellars that must extend under several adjoining shops. Service is friendly and chatty, and really shows off the family-run atmosphere. Pies are baked on-site, and served fresh from the oven, though there is a takeaway service as well. If you order a pie that has not recently been baked, they will be happy to heat one up for you from the cold selection. It also has a real ale bar.
Quality vegan cafe serving brunch and evening meals.
Chinese takeaway.
this is a little-used shopping arcade with an entrance just beyond the old Debenhams site on the Riverside
This old-fashioned country inn has low-ceilings, oak-beams and roaring fires for winter dining, and a delightful open-air terrace backing onto the babbling River Pang for balmy summer evenings. The food is good too; try the smoked haddock chowder if it is available.
Housed in the old White Hart Hotel at the center of the Great House estate are two restaurants and two bars, an intriguing mixture of the historic and the contemporary. Both restaurants have outdoor terraces overlooking the river. The Regatta offers contemporary food with Mediterranean and Pacific rim influences; whilst the Ferryman offers a barbecue menu on summer weekends. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
formerly The Hobgoblin
This favourite among locals serves a huge and often changing (4,000 to date) selection of real ales and ciders, many local. Try to get there very early if you'd like to take up one of the rooms around the back. Otherwise you'll be standing in front. Also do please shut off your cellphone before entering: if it rings in the Hobgoblin you may well find yourself tossed on the street.
A central pub that retains a traditional flavour. There are bare wooden floors and decent beer and a mixed but reasonably adult crowd of regulars.
A new rival to the Hobgoblin as Reading's premier real-ale pub with 12 ales on tap, limited but excellent food (pies and filled baguettes) and a convivial atmosphere.
This hotel was burnt out and left derelict for some years before becoming the Holiday Inn. It has now been fully refurbished and has become the Crowne Plaza. It is owned by King Charles III as part of the Princes Trust - as disclosed in March 2007 on a BBC television programme. It includes a swimming pool and fitness centre and overlooks the river. The river walk upriver towards Pangbourne is delightful. Parking for 200 cars and 122 rooms.
A privately owned and managed hotel built in the 1890s, The Sure Hotel by Best Western is near the Oracle Shopping centre and Reading business park, with Thames Valley, Warton Grange and Green Park close by. It is a short drive from Madjeski Stadium and within walking distance of the University and Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Part of the Malmaison hotel chain. This branch is reputably the oldest railway hotel in the world, having opened in 1844. Has free Wi-Fi, 24 hour room service and same-day laundry service.
A large indoor shopping centre with an Apple Store, Disney Store, River Island, Costa, the flagship Jessop's store and a Vue cinema.
By train
The route between Reading and Paddington is one of the most overcrowded rail routes in the UK.
By coach and bus
By car
Reading is served by the M4 motorway (US English: freeway) which runs from London to Bristol and South Wales. It is about an hour's drive from central London.
By bus
Buses provide a moderately good way of getting around Reading (say 3–5 miles out), with several buses an hour on most routes during weekdays, and hourly services in the evenings and on weekends.
By taxi
There are two sorts of taxis operating in Reading, although only black cabs are strictly allowed to call themselves taxis:
By car
Whilst not as bad as either London or Oxford, Reading's roads can get very congested at peak periods, in particular London Road.
By bicycle
The local authority has published a cycle map, which shows off-road and low-traffic routes around the town.
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