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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 café 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 CUP for a touch a Greece, Shed for homemade goodness or Gails Bakery or Paul's Patisserie.
10am: Get cultural with Reading’s heritage
After breakfast, why not explore a bit of Reading’s local...Read More
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 café 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 CUP for a touch a Greece, Shed for homemade goodness or Gails Bakery or Paul's Patisserie.
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 Veeno? For something requiring less energy, check out the Hexagon’s programme of live shows or visit the independent 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 Thames Lido, Valpy Street Bar & Bistro or Pepe Sale.
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 Malmaison, 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, the Ale House, or Zero Degrees with its very own micro-brewery. Just opened, the Rising Sun is a new gastropub and restaurant and Siren Brew Bar serves local beer in a modern setting at Station Hill.
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?
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Number of results: 514
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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…
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Address
Caversham Pier, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8BDTelephone
01189 481088READING
We are based at the heart of the Upper Thames and cruise through some of the most stunning reaches of the Thames from Henley and Sonning up to Going and Streatley. Dearting from Caversham Pier in Reading, we sail up to Mapledurham on 45 mnutes, 60…
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Address
St James' Church, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3FDTelephone
07889 654979Reading
We are a local walking holiday company who offer four to seven 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…
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Address
1-2 Market Place, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2EGTelephone
0118 304 3400READING
Retro industrial chic hotel with 24 uniquely decorated rooms in the heart of Reading centre. A few minute’s walk from Reading train station, a stone throw away from The Oracle shopping centre and all the other great amenities Reading town centre has…
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Address
89 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2APTelephone
0118 958 1270Reading
A mainstream and academic book retailer that encourages browsing.
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Address
Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
01183 271870READING
Slik Beauty Salon is the perfect place to pamper, refresh and revitalise yourself. We carry the finest beauty products and offer the largest selection of beauty services in the area. When you want to look your very best, trust us to take care of all…
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Address
110 Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1EPTelephone
0118 959 5395READING
Live music venue hosting up-and.-coming and established acts, live bands, stand-up comedy and club nights
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Address
The Oracle Riverside, Reading, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 950 9961Reading
Miller & Carter know a thing or two about steak. In fact, you could say that they are one of the best steakhouses in West Berkshire. But they'd rather leave...
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Address
Gun Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2JRREADING
Purple Turtle has been a staple of Reading nightlife for over 30 years, first opening in 1990 and going strong ever since. The bar first opened on Duke Street before moving over to Gun Street when the Oracle was being built in 1997. It is one of the…
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Address
5-6 Gun Street, Reading, RG1 2JRReading
Reading, are you ready for the biggest cocktail party to arrive in town? Arriving Soon, The Cocktail Club will land on Gun Street and we cannot wait to get the party started with you. Want to be part of the launch weekend madness? Bookings are now…
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Address
The Oracle Centre, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 996 0282Reading
Playful lingerie chain selling women's underwear, fancy dress outfits and bedroom toys.
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Address
The Oracle Centre - Riverside, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGReading
Udon noodles made with skillful hands in our open kitchen, unhurried broths, flavour-filled, freshly fried tempura topped with condiments to compliment. All served with love, that’s the Marugame way.
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Address
110 - 117 Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1EPREADING
Popworld is a late-night bar with a difference – we are cheese with style! You'll be greeted by our friendly bar staff and party the night away with like-minded people.
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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…
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Address
126 Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1EPREADING
Bringing you a little piece of Polynesian paradise and a true taste of the tropics, Lola Lo’s unique party and night club experience will instantly seduce your senses and sweep you off to the South Pacific – the perfect place to kick back, relax and…
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Address
Forbury Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3FDREADING
St James catholic Church is built within the ruins of the great Benedictine Abbey. Today we continue the practice of the monks to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy in Word and Sacrament. The church was built between 1837 and 1840, the architect was A W…
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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…
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Address
(Mercure George Hotel), Yield Hall Lane, Reading, RG1 2HFTelephone
0118 957 2802Reading
Welcome to Bhel Puri House, serving the Berkshire community the finest Indian street food. Restaurant and take away serving, vegetarian, fresh juices, desserts and savouries!...
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Address
Town Hall Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1QHReading
Looking for things to do in Reading? Discover the hidden gems of Reading on an unforgettable walking tour. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this charming town as our knowledgeable guides lead you through its streets.…
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Address
5-6 Gun Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2JRREADING
Looking for a nightclub in Reading? Gun Street Garden! With many VIP packages available making it an exclusive venue in Reading to party like a celeb!
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