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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: 515
, currently showing 241 to 260.
Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQTelephone
0118 958 2451Reading
Women's clothing store selling self-designed, stylish and luxurious fashion with new selections every season.
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Address
The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AGREADING
The Levi’s® brand epitomises classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have continued capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations.
Today, Levi’s® continues to…
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Address
Jacksons Corner, 1-9 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EYTelephone
0118 304 5279Reading
Rosa's Thai uses the best ingredients straight from Thai producers, from tamarind sauce that goes into every Pad Thai to coconut milk used in every single curry, so that the final dishes taste exactly like how they're cooked in Thailand.
Rosa’s…
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Address
24 Cross Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SNTelephone
0118 958 1462Reading
Tailor offering alterations and other services.
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Address
11 Duke Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4SATelephone
0118 958 8085Reading
Independent cafe with sandwiches, baguettes, panini's and hot and cold drinks.
Address
57 St Marys Butts, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2LGTelephone
0118 958 3323Reading
The Allied Arms is located in what was the area of Saxon Reading, and is almost certainly part of the original land on which the first church...
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Address
Wokefield Park, Mortimer, READING, Berkshire, RG7 3AEREADING
De Vere Wokefield Estate is home to Wokefield Estate Golf Club: a 6,996-yard, par 72 championship course that is designed to US PGA standards and one of the leading golf clubs in Reading.
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Address
1-2 Market Place, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2EGTelephone
0118 304 3400READING
A bar, hotel, event space & restaurant situated in the heart of Reading town centre near Reading Train Station. Designed to impress the Market House, once an historic Lloyds Bank, has been transformed into an industrial chic venue with bars, food…
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Address
18 Alberto House, Marino Way, Finchampstead, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG40 4RFWOKINGHAM
Siren Craft Brew was born in 2013 with a simple idea in mind: to introduce exciting, full-flavoured and forward-thinking beers to as many people as possible. There are now six Sirens of Siren Craft Brew. These Sirens characterise our flagship beers.…
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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...
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Address
Union Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1EUTelephone
07472 884441READING
Elegant Hair and Beauty Salon is the premier Afro Hair Salon in the Berkshire area.
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Address
Harris Arcade, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DNREADING
Specialist tobaconist now owned by Havana House. The business dates back to the late 1800s.
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Address
36 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AAReading
Bakers selling lots of tasty baked treats and sandwiches for sustenance on the go. Started life in Londfon but now have 100 stores across the country.
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Address
Hampstead Farm, Binfield Heath, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire, RG9 4LGTelephone
07511 208490HENLEY-ON-THAMES
Located in an 18th century threshing barn just three miles outside out of Reading, The Henley Distillery, voted New Distillery of The Year 2022 by The Gin Guide, offers tours, gin tastings and fully-immersive gin-making experiences inviting people…
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Address
Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 959 0332Reading
The Works offer you huge savings of up to 80% on books, toys, DVDs, stationery, art & craft supplies and amazing gift ideas for every occasion.
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Address
Star Lane Wharf, Behind Queen's Road car park, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4ARReading
A trip boat on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Reading from Kennet & Avon Trust. 45-minute trips on Fridays (during school holidays), Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays at noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm from Easter weekend onwards.
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Address
Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
0118 959 4000Reading
Walk in centre for all things regarding Reading's Bus network and it's services.
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Reading
Specialising in ethical coffee and locally produced food and with a unique welcoming atmosphere, we attract a varied and discerning crowd .
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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…
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Address
Napier Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8FRTelephone
0118 207 0460READING
Relax, indulge, unwind at Thames Lido.
Thames Lido is the result of a three-year sympathetic restoration project of a beautiful, historical landmark in Reading: the Edwardian Kings Meadow swimming baths, which first opened in 1902. Tucked away…
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