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24 hours in Reading
Reading is a great day trip location. Just 23 minutes from London Paddington Station by train and also on the Elizabeth Line, which is free for TFL Freedom Pass holders.
Here’s an example itinerary for a day visit to Reading. Be warned and set your alarm– we’ve packed lots in!
9am | Start your day with breakfast at one of Reading’s best indie cafes
Reading is home to lots of places to eat and drink, with a superb cafe culture that rivals many other towns – so start your trip (and day) right with a visit to one of our fabulous independent cafes for breakkie. Try C.U.P. for a touch a Greece or Shed for homemade goodness. Gail's Bakery and Paul's Patisserie are also fantastic options on the high street.
10am | Get cultural with Reading’s heritage
After breakfast, why not explore a bit of Reading’s local heritage? Reading Museum is perfectly located right in the centre of town and has the only full size Bayeux Tapestry replica among its relics, while the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) gives a fascinating history of the UK's countryside and people. After you’re topped up your knowledge in the museums, why not walk through 900 years of history at the Abbey Ruins, Reading’s very own ancient ruins and burial place of King Henry I, just around the corner from the main shopping streets. You can even view the ruins as they would have been 400 years ago with the help of AR.
11.30am | Hit the shops
From casual window shopping to serious retail therapy, it’s no wonder Reading is known for its fantastic shopping offer. From high street brands to quirkier independents and household names such as John Lewis, Reading has some of the best shopping in the South East, as well as three indoor shopping centres all within a short walk. There’s always time for a quick mooch, right?
1pm | Have lunch on the riverside
Once you’ve finished with the shops (or just need a pit-stop), head to the Oracle Riverside, where you’ll find a great selection of bars and restaurants dotted alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal, which flows rather scenically through the shopping centre. Providing a picturesque backdrop to a perfect lunch spot, The Oracle boasts some brilliant eateries for even the most discerning foodies, from fast food favourites and chains, right through to fine dining (and everything in between!).
3pm | Test your limits at an Escape Room
Reading is home to some of the best Escape Rooms in the country, offering a total of four top-rated sites with a variety of rooms, themes and difficulties, many of which are easily walkable from the town centre. So, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned escape artist, there’s a puzzle for you waiting to be solved.
4:30pm | Explore on foot with an afternoon stroll
What better way to clear your head after the escape room excitement, than with a short afternoon stroll around Reading. Reading town centre is just 500 metres from the Thames. Head to the river and sample a small section of the famous Thames Path or take a short circular cruise with Thames River Cruise. Reading's Victorian pleasure gardens, Forbury Gardens, are next to the amazing medieval Abbey Ruins which are open every day. You can continue through to the old Reading Prison site to visit Banksy’s ‘Create Escape’. Popping up in 2020, the artwork shows Oscar Wilde escaping from the Prison with his typewriter. A must-see for any Banksy fan!
6pm | Prepare to be entertained
When the evening comes, there’s no shortage of activities in Reading to keep you amused. Why not try tenpin bowling, darts, or crazy golf at Spinners? Try your hand at cocktail making at The Botanist, or wine tasting at Vino.Vita? For something requiring less energy, check out the Hexagon’s programme of live shows or visit the independent Reading Biscuit Factory for films, terrace and bar.
8pm | Eat, drink and be merry
Foodies, prepare yourselves – Reading has a great selection of restaurants and eateries from every corner of the globe. Burger fans should head for Wendy’s or Honest Burger, while some of the nation’s well-known chains can be found at the Oracle Riverside. If you’re looking for a treat, visit The Reading Room or London Street Brasserie, or if more of an independent vibe is what you’re after, try the restaurant at Thames Lido for incredible tapas.
10pm | Sample the nightlife
When it comes to nightlife, Reading has it all. If you’re looking to dance off dinner, try one of Reading's nightclubs such as Lola Lo or the iconic Purple Turtle. Cocktail-lovers should head to Be at One, Milk or Revolution de Cuba, or for more of a relaxed vibe try Market House or the Oakford Social Club. If you fancy a good old-fashioned pint to keep you going into the early hours, visit one of Reading’s traditional pubs such as the Allied Arms or The Ale House. For local beer, there's Zero Degrees and Siren Craft Brew in the town centre.
We hope this has inspired you to visit Reading on your next day trip and we look forward to welcoming you soon! Don't forget to take a look at accommodation options if you need a place to stay, or travel options, from travelling to, and from Reading. There’s always so much to do in Reading, so why not make your trip longer and extend your visit to a weekend break?
Number of results: 523
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Abbey Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3BATelephone
0118 937 3400READING
Explore 900 years of history in Reading Abbey Quarter including the burial place of King Henry I, Jane Austen's schoolroom and Oscar Wilde's Gaol. Notably the Quarter includes Reading Museum, St. James' Church, St Laurence's Church, the Forbury…
Address
Caversham Pier, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8BDTelephone
0118 948 1088READING
As a small family-run business with over 50 years of river life experience, we take great pride in the vessels that form the soul of our operation. From our very own Little Ship of Dunkirk, rich with heritage, to our spacious multi-deck party and…
Address
St James' Church, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3FDTelephone
07889 654979Reading
We are a local walking holiday company who offer four to eight day self-guided walking itineraries along the St James' Way from Reading to Southampton. Our packages include B&B accommodation, daily baggage transfers, transport to and from…
Address
Reading Museum, Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1QHTelephone
0118 9373400Reading
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the world’s most famous pieces of medieval art. It is 70 metres long, and chronicles the legendary tale of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. In the late 19th century, an extremely ambitious project was undertaken…
Address
7 Church Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7AATelephone
01189 464 333Reading
Skin experts and advanced medical aesthetics in Caversham, Berkshire. As experts in skin and medical aesthetics, we are dedicated to providing non-invasive luxury aesthetic skin and body treatments to help our clients achieve healthy and radiant…
Address
Richfield Avenue, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8EQTelephone
0118 937 5000READING
Rivermead Leisure Complex is a brand-new flagship development which provides first class leisure facilities as part of the £40m reinvestment into upgrading sport & leisure centres in Reading. Facilities include a 120 station gym which offers…
Address
Reading Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5HGTelephone
01189788766Wokingham
Showcase Cinema de Lux offers a premium film viewing experience, including luxurious seating with extra legroom, in-theater dining options, and access to a VIP Gallery bar and lounge. These features, along with impeccable service, create a more…
Address
Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG40 4HUTelephone
0118 973 3928WOKINGHAM
Situated in beautiful Berkshire countryside we are open all year round – 12 months, 4 seasons where each one brings its own highlights to the surrounding area. We provide the perfect setting to relax and to spend quality time in an impressive and…
Address
1 King Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HGTelephone
01183 914 648Reading
Pho offers healthy, Vietnamese street food. You can choose from delicious phở soup, spring rolls, fresh salads and rice and noodle dishes.
Address
500 Basingstoke Road, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0SLTelephone
0871 942 9067READING
The hotel is situated 10 minutes south of Reading city centre and offers on-site parking for cars and coaches. The hotel is also close to the Madjeski Stadium and has a welcoming Open Lobby and bar plus Spirit Health Club ensure our guests have a…
Address
Stonor, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 6HFHENLEY-ON-THAMES
Family home of Hon. William and Lady Ailsa Stonor and the Stonor family for over 800 years with a 13th Century chapel with earlier origins, built on the site of a late neolithic stone circle. The house was built in the late 12th Century and…
Address
Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DBREADING
A 920 capacity club in the centre of Reading split over two floors and two rooms, the venue has been home to some of the biggest events the town has seen over the past 10 years. With a state of the art lighting and sound system and the town's…
Address
Westfield Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8HHReading
Beam Wellbeing delivers school-based, effective, early intervention support for children in and around Caversham and Reading. As an experienced, advanced practitioner, I run 1:1 Drawing and Talking and sand play sessions as well as group work for…
Address
Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
01183 273600READING
Grape Tree, the home of “feel good foods”, now have 100 retail stores selling a variety of health food, nuts, seeds, dried and crystallised fruit, snacks, confectionery, cooking and baking ingredients as well as coconut oil.. Real value for money…
Address
University of Reading, Edith Morley Building, Whiteknights campus, READING, Berkshire, RG6 6URTelephone
0118 378 6990Whiteknights campus, READING
The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology contains one of the most important collections of Greek antiquities in the United Kingdom
Address
Church Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8AUTelephone
0118 947 3522Reading
In the heart of Church Street, the good people of Caversham have been popping into Alto Lounge for years now.
What keeps people coming back? It could be our great range of food and drinks (including kids, gluten-free and vegan menus), it could be…
Address
De Vere Wokefield Estate, Goodboys Lane, Mortimer, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3AETelephone
0118 933 4000Mortimer, Reading
There has been an estate at Wokefield since the first house was built in the 1560s for the wealthy Plowden family. Set in 250 acres of Berkshire countryside, it’s history is etched in the different architectural features that greet you throughout.
…Address
John Nike Way, BRACKNELL, Berkshire, RG12 8TFTelephone
01344 303 333BRACKNELL
The hotel has 4 dining options, live music venue, nightclub, leisure club with pool, beauty treatments and gym as well as perfectly located. Relax at this beautiful Alpine themed hotel.
Address
Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8JGTelephone
0118 327 1910Reading
Welcome to The Edit Caversham, a local independent store rooted in the heart of Caversham. We offer a carefully curated selection of unique, high-quality gifts, often from independent UK-based brands and other makers who share our philosophy of…
Address
Milton Road, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG40 1JYTelephone
0118 989 5100WOKINGHAM
A charming and lush retreat located near Wokingham. Perfect for a relaxing escape to the gorgeous countryside Berkshire has to offer.
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