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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: 526
, 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
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
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
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…
READING
I’m Graham Horn, a specialist and fully qualified Blue Badge tourist guide for the South West, South and South East of England. That area stretches from Cornwall to Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire to Kent, and everywhere else in between. Our…
Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQTelephone
0118 971 9052Reading
Jewellery and accessory specialist offering ear piercing services.
Address
Station Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1JXTelephone
01184 693506Reading
BOOM BATTLE BAR Reading is the ultimate entertainment hotspot in the heart of town, serving up high-energy games like axe throwing, AR darts, beer pong, shuffleboard, and more.
Address
Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 950 9696READING
Perfect Fried Chicken is known for its generous portions, reasonable prices, friendly service, and richly varied halal menu of fried chicken, burgers and ribs. Every dish is meticulously prepared in- house using only the best spices and ingredients.…
Address
11 Broad Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2BHREADING
MINISO is a fun design-led lifestyle retail store for all the family, offering a full range of high-quality and innovative products including toys, tech, stationery, accessories, homeware, food, health, and beauty - all for great value.
MINISO…READING
Our air-conditioned, Wi-Fi enabled rooms are designed for comfort. Our Rooms are the perfect place to lay your head after dinner, or as a base for exploring the Thames and local villages. This is a wonderful place to stay, with many rooms offering…
READING
Packed with excitement, you and your teammates will leap into new worlds completing ground-breaking missions. Work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out. This isn’t something you watch, it’s…
Address
Mapledurham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 7UTTelephone
0118 9478600READING
The Eyston Course is a fantastic championship course measuring between 5,536 to 7,319 yards. Located just outside Reading, built to USGA standards and is in great condition year-round due to excellent drainage.
Address
Mortimer West End, Silchester, READING, Berkshire, RG7 2HPSilchester, 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…
Address
Rose Kiln Lane, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0SNTelephone
0118 402 7800READING
Grosvenor Casino Reading is the perfect leisure destination with a fantastic restaurant, amazing bar, live Show Bar, and Games Lounge.
Address
13 Queen Victoria St, Reading, RG1 1SYReading
Hand made Sushi, awakening your taste buds with a tastier, fresher and healthier option. If you like to eat simple, cheap but decent oriental food...
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
Market Place, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2EGREADING
Our oldest market and your twice a week fix of Blue Collar in Reading town centre. 8+ food traders including jerk chicken wraps, Peruvian street food, dry aged, pasture fed burgers and inventive vegan options. Check our social media pages for…
Address
26 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJTelephone
0118 952 7770Reading
A luxury hotel that oozes elegance, conveniently located in the centre of Reading. This award-winning hotel is minutes walking distance from the Reading station, with journeys as short as 22 minutes to Paddington. Perfect for a weekend escape to…
Address
The Oracle, Lower Ground Level, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQReading
Cosy Club Reading serves up delicious all-day dining in stylish, retro-inspired surroundings. From indulgent brunches and elegant mains like King Prawn and Cod Linguine to standout cocktails and treats like their signature Monkey Bread, the menu…
READING
Locked in a room with no way out, you must search for hidden compartments, secret passageways, and clues to plot your escape – all within 60 minutes! For groups of 2-6, Escape Reading offers three different rooms designed for groups of 2-6. It is…
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