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Girls at Oracle Riverside
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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: 518
, currently showing 221 to 240.
Address
Junction 11, M4, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0FLTelephone
0118 968 1100READING
Home to Reading Football Club, the stadium (formerly known as the Madejski Stadium) holds 24,000 people. Reading FC play in the EFL Championship currently and celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2021/22.
Address
39 Broad Street, Reading, RG1 2ADReading
The well-known stationers and bookshop. Also has the post office on the first floor.
Address
St Mary's Church House, Chain Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HXTelephone
020 4512 6642Reading
Bill's Restaurant and Bar first opened in Lewes, East Sussex in 2001. A very pretty location, Bill’s Reading restaurant occupies St Mary’s Church House. This elegant Georgian building makes a fabulous restaurant and has become a very popular…
Address
8 Queen Victoria St, Reading, RG1 1TGTelephone
0118 950 9898Reading
Nepalese restaurant situated along Queen Victoria St. Serves delicious Nepali food for very reasonable prices.
Reading
Hobson & Quinn offer a full grooming experience for everyone. Express versions of more conventional high end spa treatments let our customers experience a side of men’s grooming without the premium price.\n\nLocated in the centre of Reading just off…
Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 925 4500Reading
Apple retail store selling iPhones, iPads & more in sleekly designed spaces.
Address
8 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8JGReading
Spanish delicatessen serving fresh Spanish food and tapas, along with a special dessert selection including the sought-after ‘Blue Cheesecake’. All made fresh, to order and takeaway.
Address
Church Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7AATelephone
0118 327 2728Reading
Award-winning Speciality Coffee Shop & Lifestyle Store
Address
First Floor, 1 Chalfont Court, Chalfont Way, Lower Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 5SYTelephone
0118 9623 826Lower Earley, Reading
Power of Pilates is a modern and welcoming Pilates studio located in Lower Earley, Reading. Our fully equipped Pilates studio was opened in 2007 and we have helped thousands of clients achieve their fitness and movement goals. We offer both Pilates…
Address
40 Station Hill, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LXTelephone
0118 958 8020Reading
Pret creates handmade natural food avoiding all the obscure extras common to so much of the 'prepared' and 'fast' food on the market today.
Address
97 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AXTelephone
0118 939 1708Reading
Kitchenware chain with innovative gadgets and cooking utensils, plus homewares and garden products.
Address
Units 49, 50/52 Broad Street Mall, Reading, -RG1 7QEReading
Urban Fun is where excitement meets adventure! Dive into a vibrant world of games, from classic favourites to the latest high-tech experiences. Whether you’re challenging friends in competitive games or enjoying a solo quest, Urban Fun has something…
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…
Address
14 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3AATelephone
0118 959 6961Reading
Framing specialist providing custom and pre-made frames for everything from single photographs up to multiple photo's, posters and more.
Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 957 6766Reading
Inventors of the bath bomb and home of bath art. Vegetarian, vegan and cruelty free cosmetics, handmade by real people fresh from our kitchens straight to your bathroom.
Address
Goring Lane, Grazeley Green, READING, Berkshire, RG7 1LSTelephone
0333 321 8346READING
Premier Inn Reading South (Grazeley Green) ticks all the boxes. Close to the M4 and M3, just down the road from Reading and Basingstoke, and set in a quiet, rural location. Check, check and check. You're well placed for many local wedding venues.…
Address
Unit 8, Stadium Way, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6BXTelephone
0118 907 4251Reading
The Climbing Hangar Reading is an indoor bouldering centre, a fully equipped gym and hip coffee shop, serving a fresh, locally sourced menu. Indoor climbing is one of the fastest growing participation sports in the UK. Bouldering is a rope-free form…
Address
Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QEReading
Making deliciously good food, baked fresh every day, Muffin Break use the best Arabica beans to make the perfect coffee for the local community in Reading. Sink your teeth into mouth-watering muffins, cakes and slices including a selection of…
Address
8 Gun Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2JRTelephone
0118 959 0030Reading
Shotz salon for men and women's hair, skin care, massage and facial treatments, all conveniently situated near the Oracle, the Purple Turtle and historic church in the heart of Reading.
Address
61-62 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1DXReading
Nisbets was established in 1983 with the aim to provide high quality catering equipment at affordable prices. We understand the pressures of a commercial kitchen and making your life easier is at the heart of what we do.
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