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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do

Reading is a great place to visit with the family, with plenty of child-friendly activities and attractions to suit everyone, and every budget. From farmyard visits and woodland strolls, to activities for the more adventurous cohorts, here’s some of our favourite family-friendly things to do in Reading to get you started. For families on a budget, take a look at our top 10 free attractions, most of which are suitable for all ages.

Watch a live show at Reading Hexagon
Reading’s theatre and arts venue, Reading Hexagon, sits on Queen's Walk in the centre of town. With a jam-packed events timetable running year-round, The Hexagon hosts some great family shows, from theatre productions and child-friendly plays to ballet productions and the Pantomime at Christmas. And with its handy town-centre location, it can be paired perfectly with a family trip to your favourite restaurant, too!

Embrace your wild side at Caversham Lakes Aqua Park
Open from May-September, the main Aqua Park at Caversham Lakes is open to the whole family. The on-the-water obstacle course is a must-try for adventure-seeking families and has a minimum age of 6 years old (participants must be competent swimmers). In the summer, visit the family beach which welcomes children of all ages – and there’s lots of other activities and nature trails to keep everyone happy.

Palmer Park swimming pool is a new indoor leisure facility. Six lanes wide with family sessions, as well as a soft play area and cafe. You'll find it in Palmer Park in East Reading.

Channel your inner detective at Reading’s Escape Rooms
Reading is home to five top-rated Escape Room venues offering PG rated games and welcome younger players (if they’re accompanied with an adult, of course). Recommended ages are 8+ (Escape Hunt), 10+ (TimeTrap) and 12+ (Escape Reading), so if puzzle-solving sounds like your idea of family fun, there’s a challenge just waiting to be accepted!

Climb the walls (literally)

Reading has two indoor climbing centres for young and old who like hanging around at heights or bouldering. Or you can bounce at Red Kangaroo

Go on an adventure at Wellington Country Park
Wellington Country Park offers an open air, fun-filled venue for children to explore. From a miniature railway and animal farm, to indoor soft play and even a giant bouncing pillow, you won’t be short of ways to keep little ones entertained. There’s also short walking trails and a playpark, and, if you’re looking for staycations in Reading, why not bring your tent and camp under the stars?

Step into local history at Reading Museum or MERL
Reading is packed with history and culture, so why not explore its past with a family trip to Reading Museum? Hosting exhibitions, permanent galleries, and the only full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, it makes for a great family trip. If you have time, you can always pick up a map and wander to the Abbey Ruins afterwards – both are free to visit. The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) has a family friendly collection celebrating the countryide, food and farming. There are family trails and a lovely garden to let off steam.

Visit the animals at Beale Wildlife Park
If you’re looking for wildlife, look no further than Beale Wildlife Park, located just 6 miles west of Reading town centre in Lower Basildon. Home to over 160 species of animals from monkeys to zebras, Berkshire’s only wildlife park is set in 350 acres of countryside, right next to the River Thames. Along with the zoo, there’s also a train, play area, farmyard, gift shop, gardens – and a café serving ‘proper’ coffee.

Also west of Reading is Bozedown Farm where you can walk alpacas. The might come from Peru, but they are quite at home in Reading.

See Reading from the water on a Thames River Cruise
For a different view of Reading, why not take to the water with a Thames River Cruise? Starting from Caversham, just north of the town centre, the river trips on offer range from 45-minute taster sessions through to longer 3-hour cruises and explore nearby riverside villages of Goring, Shiplake and Pangbourne. Keep your eyes peeled during half terms and school holidays for special offers for children too.

Take a trip to Basildon Park

A National Trust property situated a few miles to the west of Reading town centre in Berkshire’s countryside, Basildon Park is a great option for a family-friendly day out in Reading. Featuring a Mansion House and 400 acres of gardens and parkland to explore, it’ll keep even the most restless little ones entertained. There’s also a gift shop and tea rooms when it’s time for a rest!

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Bakery House

Address

82 London Street, Reading, RG1 4SJ

Telephone
0118 327 4040

info@bakeryhouse.co

Reading

Opened in June 2015, Bakery House focuses on the best of Lebanese food in a relaxed, informal dining environment. Mezze, grills, pastries are the specialty...
WH Smith

Address

39 Broad Street, Reading, RG1 2AD

Reading

The well-known stationers and bookshop. Also has the post office on the first floor.
Therapists on the High Street

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 951 0637

info@therapistsonthehighstreet.co.uk

READING

Therapists on the High Street is a Sports Therapy and Wellness Walk in Clinic, offering accessible, convenient and affordable Sports Therapy. Sports Therapy is an essential healthcare for everyone, from sporting and non-sporting backgrounds.
Choose…
Sainsbury's - Broad Street

Address

7-8 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

Telephone
0118 959 9824

Reading

Well known supermarket offering a massive range of groceries in the town centre.
Menkind

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AH

Telephone
0118 996 0128

Reading

Retail chain specialising in gadgets, accessories, watches and novelty gifts aimed at men.
Premier Inn Reading Central

Address

Letcombe Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HN

Telephone
0333 321 8345

readingcentral.pi@premierinn.com

READING

Premier Inn Reading Central is located at the heart of Reading. Opposite The Oracle Shopping and Leisure Centre, Reading Central is ideally located for guests whether here for business or leisure.
Playlist Live

Address

108 Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1EP

Telephone
0118 212 0720

Bookings@playlistlive.co.uk

Reading

Located in the heart of Reading, based on Friar Street - Playlist Live is a non-stop live music venue where musicians play YOUR requests, all night long! Sing and dance the night away to live music of your choosing. Just write down your favourite…
Co-space

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
020 80661761

hello@co-space.co.uk

READING

Our Reading meeting rooms are easily accessible and can hold up to 36 people. All our meeting rooms are available for hire by members and non-members alike and provide a confidential space which are equipped with plug and play TV and video…
Ibis Styles Central Reading

Address

4 Duke Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4RY

Telephone
0118 958 3455

HA071@accor.com

READING

Our central spot puts you right at the heart of Reading, with the famous Madejski Stadium and Thames Valley Park Drive both only 10 minutes away.
The Fragrance Shop

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 958 5342

Reading

The Fragrance Shop is the UK’s leading independent fragrance retailer with over 400 fragrance brands available in more than 200 stores throughout the UK.
Eclectic Games

Address

5 Union Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1EU

Telephone
0118 959 8250

shop@eclecticgames.co.uk

Reading

Reading's dedicated specialist games shop. Board games, card games, miniatures games, puzzles and more.
Alpaca walking at Bozedown Farm

Address

Hardwick Road, Whitchurch On Thames, READING, Berkshire, RG8 7QY

Telephone
0118 984 3827

info@bozedown-alpacas.co.uk

READING

Come and enjoy a fascinating walk in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside. Lead an alpaca around our alpaca farm which nestles between the edge of the Chilterns and the River Thames. Learn more about these attractive, enigmatic creatures that…
RISC World Shop and Global Refills

Address

35-39 London Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4PS

READING

Founded in 1987, we are one of the UK's largest fair trade shops. Our selection of gifts, books, cards and food is wide ranging and we pride ourselves on having something for everyone; little ones love our wooden toys and puzzles; our natural body…
Castle Tap

Address

120 Castle Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7RJ

READING

A short walk from Reading town centre, we are specialists in Great Beer from cask, keg & bottle with an ever-changing range; expect craft beer favourites, Belgian bottles and local classics as well as rotating range of traditional ciders and artisan…
Silchester Roman City walls and Amphitheatre

Address

Mortimer West End, Silchester, READING, Berkshire, RG7 2HP

Silchester, READING

Silchester, 12 miles south of Reading, has its origins as Calleva, a centre of the Iron Age Atrebates tribe from the late 1st century BC. After the Roman conquest of AD 43 it became the large and important town of Calleva Atrebatum. Unlike most…
House of Fisher - City Wall House

Address

26 West Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1TZ

Telephone
0118 951 4151

reservations@houseoffisher.com

READING

House of Fisher’s City Wall House Aparthotel is based in the very centre of Reading offering a selection of studio, one and two bedroom fully furnished serviced apartments, all with free unlimited WiFi and a lift available to four floors. These…
Dinton Pastures Country Park

Address

Sandford Lane, Hurst, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG10 0SU

Telephone
0118 934 4424

dintonactivitycentre@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham

Dinton Pastures is an oasis of woodland, meadow and lakes in the midst of the most urbanised part of the Thames Valley. Easily accessible for both visitors and local residents with nearby public transport and motorway links.
Sapana Home

Address

8 Queen Victoria St, Reading, RG1 1TG

Telephone
0118 950 9898

Reading

Newly opened Nepalese restaurant situated along Queen Victoria St. Serves delicious Nepali food for very reasonable prices. Almost like a café, it’s somewhere...
Elegant Hair

Address

Union Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1EU

Telephone
07472 884441

READING

Elegant Hair and Beauty Salon is the premier Afro Hair Salon in the Berkshire area.
Foodies

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

READING

Discover the flavours of India's culinary heritage with fabulous samosa's and refreshing Chai Teas. For dessert, soft ice cream and cool slushy's.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do

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