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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: 525
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Address
Sonning Eye, READING, Berkshire, RG4 6TYTelephone
0118 969 8000READING
Award-winning theatre set majestically on the banks of the River Thames. The Mill at Sonning Theatre now celebrates more than 40 years of entertainment and hospitality. Uniquely, with a two course meal enjoyed before the show, The Mill has gained…
Address
40 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AATelephone
0118 958 1811Reading
Chain retailer selling branded indoor and outdoor toys, craft products, electronic games and more.
Address
8 Merchant's Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1DTTelephone
0118 956 1482Reading
Gourmet sandwiches and soups, plus coffee and cakes, in a cafe with exposed brick in an old forge.
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…
Reading
Get beautiful, confidence boosting hair at award-winning Headmasters Hairdressers. Choose from over 50 Hair Salons across London and the South East.
Address
58 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AFReading
Our collection offers affordable shoes from one of the UK's leading shoe retailers. We have everything you could need from smart flats to trainers.
Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AHTelephone
0118 950 4504Reading
Opticians offering eye examinations, prescription lenses, designer and own-brand glasses, sunglasses and more.
Address
Letcombe Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HNTelephone
0333 321 8345READING
Premier Inn Reading Central is located at the heart of Reading. Opposite The Oracle Shopping and Leisure Centre, Reading Central is ideally located for guests whether here for business or leisure.
Address
120 Castle Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7RJREADING
A short walk from Reading town centre, we are specialists in Great Beer from cask, keg & bottle with an ever-changing range; expect craft beer favourites, Belgian bottles and local classics as well as rotating range of traditional ciders and artisan…
Address
Unit 11A, Riverside Level, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AGTelephone
0118 956 6963Reading
With a menu combining delicious Pizza and Pasta with a superb range of grill and speciality dishes there's something for everybody...
Address
26 West Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1TZTelephone
0118 951 4151READING
House of Fisher’s City Wall House Aparthotel is based in the very centre of Reading offering a selection of studio, one and two bedroom fully furnished serviced apartments, all with free unlimited WiFi and a lift available to four floors. These…
Address
46 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AATelephone
0118 958 5123Reading
Pop into the Card Factory and find greetings cards, gifts, wrap & party supplies all at great value prices.
Address
8 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJTelephone
0118 950 8133Reading
Made-to-measure men's clothing.
Address
25-26 Market Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2DGTelephone
0118 304 4052Reading
Dream Vault offers a range of escape rooms for teams of 2 to 6.
Address
The Oracle (Lower Level), Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQTelephone
0118 234 6667Reading
Fashion chain selling clothes and accessories for men and women, some with nature-inspired prints.
Address
Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QETelephone
01189 574095READING
Your best-loved plus-size clothing brand, shop sizes 16 – 36. Yours Clothing believe that all women should look and feel great, regardless of their dress size. Fabulous ladies curve fashion does not end at a size 14, and we’re the proof!
Address
22-24 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8JGTelephone
0118 959 6888Reading
Now open in larger premises in Caversham, Clays is an Indian Restaurant specialising in the regional cuisine that comes from the kitchens of the Royal Kings (Nawabs) of Hyderabad in the south of India. See Grace Dent's 2023 review in The Guardian.
Address
The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2APTelephone
0333 005 5140Reading
Next, styled as next, is a British multinational clothing, footwear and home products retailer.
Address
41 Market Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2DGTelephone
0118 959 9959Reading
Looking for a stunning and durable bag for work or leisure? For a wide choice of bags in Reading pop into The Bag Shop!
Address
Hurley Riverside Park, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 5NETelephone
01628 824493Maidenhead
Our family-friendly park sits alongside the River Thames in the picturesque village of Hurley between Henley-on-Thames and Marlow and has been run by four generations of the same family since 1926.
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