Meet in Reading, a surprisingly sensible choice

11th August 2025

What makes Reading such an obvious but also slightly surprising choice of location for your next business meeting or event?

Perhaps it’s the fact that we are only 23 minutes from Central London or the fact that the day delegate rate in Reading offers such good value. Maybe it’s the well-developed business eco-system, home to dozens of global brands while many of your delegates are probably already working here in the Thames Valley’s powerhouse economy. And take it as given that we have the quality venues to host any meeting or event from 2 to 700. So, ultimately, what is it that marks Reading out? It is all of the above plus the fact that you can have your cake and eat it – with easy access to a vibrant urban location just outside London but still being in leafy, Thames-side Berkshire, all at the same time.

Step off an Elizabeth Line train in Reading and you could be strolling along the Thames in minutes or entertaining your clients on a river boat. Or build into your conference schedule a team building activity in 250 acres of parkland at the De Vere Wokefield Estate. We can guarantee that Reading won’t be what you thought it was.

You will struggle to find somewhere easier for your colleagues or delegates to get to. Just 23 minutes from London as well as the western terminus of the new Elizabeth Line linked to Docklands and the City of London.

Reading is one of Europe’s powerhouse economies. You may find that your suppliers, competitors or even one of your own offices is already here. With major clusters of IT, pharma, finance, energy, business services and now film businesses, Reading is home to many of the world’s biggest business brands, as well as many of the next generation - from Bayer to PepsiCo, Virgin Media to Thames Water, Microsoft to VISA and Shinfield Studios.

We have dedicated conference centres, major brand business hotels, historic venues, floating party locations, boutique boardrooms and private cinemas. And will there be enough to do after the talking has stopped? You bet there will. You’ll get many of the benefits of the big city without the drawbacks and at a fraction of the cost. Enough said?

Our suggested venues

Reading's historic Town Hall is a beautiful Grade II* listed building with seating for up to 700, as well as small meeting rooms for up to 12. And just two minutes’ walk from the station.

Located just two minutes from the M4, Holiday Inn Reading South has all options covered with 202 bedrooms, 11 meeting rooms and 280 car parking spaces onsite.

The green award-winning campus of the University of Reading (Venue Reading) hosts meetings, conferences and functions throughout the year for anything from a small meeting to a large residential conference with 2,000 bedrooms available over summer months.

Malmaison Reading is the historic station hotel, impeccably located for business voyagers and for everything Reading has to offer. Setting up camp at Malmaison Reading for your event is the equivalent of holding the key to the city.

De Vere Wokefield Estate is home to 250 acres of glorious Berkshire countryside, an 18-hole championship golf course and an abundance of leisure facilities as well as 376 beautifully appointed bedrooms and 39 flexible meeting and event spaces. And there is also team building on site.

Novotel Reading Centre offers the ideal setting for business stays. Located in the heart of Reading, delegates enjoy modern rooms, a stylish gourmet bar and flexible meeting spaces.

At Hilton Reading, 210 stylish bedrooms meet 700+ sqm of flexible, modern meeting space—ideal for impactful conferences and unforgettable events. Perfectly positioned just off the M4 and minutes from central Reading.

Penta Reading has 11 event spaces, kitted out with all the tech you need, all accessible via the ground floor with a capacity of 350. The Pentalounge is always available for breaktime, dinnertime, or playtime and there are 206 bedrooms just upstairs.

The Roseate Reading blends heritage and luxury in the beautifully restored former Shire Hall. With exquisite design and 55 elegant bedrooms, award-winning dining, a serene spa and versatile event spaces, it is the perfect destination for your next small business event.

Green Park Business Park is the choice of many discerning companies and you can join them by holding your event at its Conference Centre - anything from a one-to-one meeting to a large annual conference.

And at the end of the day…..

Stanlake Park is one of England’s oldest wine producers, set in 130 acres of countryside. Treat your delegates to an estate tour and tastings, just 15 minutes outside Reading.

All aboard Thames River Cruise for a meeting or celebration for 10–50 guests. Enjoy a scenic cruise through Wind in the Willows countryside during lunch or after your event, with buffet or formal dining and entertainment options.

Indulge in authentic Italian wines and delicious food pairings at Vino.Vita; check out the flagship venue of Siren Craft Brew with its 28+ taps of beautiful, brewery-fresh beer or take a tour of the Siren Tap Yard; step into the ultimate playground at Urban Fun and battle it out in darts, sing your heart out in karaoke and refuel at the buzzing bar and kitchen; channel your inner warrior with axe throwing or beer pong at Boom Battle Bar; or step into 1970s glamour at Cosy Club for lunch, cocktails or dinner.

Make the surprisingly sensible choice and hold you next event in Reading.