Palmer Park community pool
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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

Reading is a great place to visit with the family, with plenty of child-friendly activities and attractions to suit everyone, and every budget. From farmyard visits and woodland strolls, to activities for the more adventurous cohorts, here’s some of our favourite family-friendly things to do in Reading to get you started. For families on a budget, take a look at our top 10 free attractions, most of which are suitable for all ages.

Watch a live show at Reading Hexagon
Reading’s theatre and arts venue, Reading Hexagon, sits on Queen's Walk in the centre of town. With a jam-packed events timetable running year-round, The Hexagon hosts some great family shows, from theatre productions and child-friendly plays to ballet productions and the Pantomime at Christmas. And with its handy town-centre location, it can be paired perfectly with a family trip to your favourite restaurant, too!

Embrace your wild side at Lagoona Park
Open from May-September, the Aqua Park at Lagoona Park is open to the whole family. But it's not just the watter obstacle course, you can try paddleboards, water bikes, and pedalos too.

Two new pools
Two new swimming pools have opened in Reading in the last 18 months. A brand new Rivermead Swimming Pool opened in summer 2024 with a 25m 8-lane main pool and a teaching and diving pool with 5 metre dive tower; 3 metre springboard and two 1 metre spring dives. In 2023, Palmer Park swimming pool opened with six lanes wide with family sessions, as well as a soft play area and cafe. You'll find it in Palmer Park in East Reading. You can also enjoy the paddling pool in Christchurch Meadows.

Channel your inner detective at Reading’s Escape Rooms
Reading is home to four top-rated Escape Room venues offering PG rated games and welcome younger players (if they’re accompanied with an adult, of course). Recommended ages are 8+ (Escape Hunt) and 12+ (Escape Reading), so if puzzle-solving sounds like your idea of family fun, there’s a challenge just waiting to be accepted!

Climb the walls (literally)
Reading has two indoor climbing centres for young and old who like hanging around at heights or bouldering. Or you can bounce at Red Kangaroo.

Go on an adventure at Wellington Country Park
Wellington Country Park offers an open air, fun-filled venue for children to explore. From a miniature railway and animal farm, to indoor soft play and even a giant bouncing pillow, you won’t be short of ways to keep little ones entertained. There’s also short walking trails and a playpark, and, if you’re looking for staycations in Reading, why not bring your tent and camp under the stars?

Step into local history at Reading Museum or MERL
Reading is packed with history and culture, so why not explore its past with a family trip to Reading Museum? Hosting exhibitions, permanent galleries, and the only full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, it makes for a great family trip. If you have time, you can always pick up a map and wander to the Abbey Ruins afterwards – both are free to visit. The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) has a family friendly collection celebrating the countryide, food and farming. There are family trails and a lovely garden to let off steam.

Visit the animals at Beale Wildlife Park
If you’re looking for wildlife, look no further than Beale Wildlife Park, located just 6 miles west of Reading town centre in Lower Basildon. Home to over 160 species of animals from monkeys to zebras, Berkshire’s only wildlife park is set in 350 acres of countryside, right next to the River Thames. Along with the zoo, there’s also a train, play area, farmyard, gift shop, gardens – and a café serving ‘proper’ coffee.

Also west of Reading is Bozedown Farm where you can walk alpacas. The might come from Peru, but they are quite at home in Reading.

See Reading from the water on a Thames River Cruise
For a different view of Reading, why not take to the water with a Thames River Cruise? Starting from Caversham, just north of the town centre, the river trips on offer range from 45-minute taster sessions through to longer 3-hour cruises and explore nearby riverside villages of Goring, Shiplake and Pangbourne. Keep your eyes peeled during half terms and school holidays for special offers for children too.

Take a trip to Basildon Park
A National Trust property situated a few miles to the west of Reading town centre in Berkshire’s countryside, Basildon Park is a great option for a family-friendly day out in Reading. Featuring a Mansion House and 400 acres of gardens and parkland to explore, it’ll keep even the most restless little ones entertained. There’s also a gift shop and tea rooms when it’s time for a rest!

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Thames River Cruise

Address

Bridge Street, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 8AH

Telephone
0118 948 1088

bookings@thamesrivercruise.co.uk

READING

The Perfect Venue on the Upper Thames. The Upper reaches of the Thames are enchanting and captivating, a fitting backdrop for your Corporate Event. Sailing from Caversham Pier in Reading, passing open countryside, historic villages, and stunning…
Venue Reading

Address

Venue Reading, Whiteknights, READING, Berkshire, RG6 6UR

READING

Situated just outside of Reading town centre, Venue Reading is located on the University of Reading, Whiteknights campus and is in a prime location for the South East of England with excellent transport links. Reading Buses even come through the…
Reading Abbey Ruins

Address

Abbey Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 3BA

Telephone
0118 937 3400

READING

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…
Britain's Bayeux Tapestry

Address

Reading Museum, Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1QH

Telephone
0118 9373400

Reading

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…
Walking.Holiday - St James' Way

Address

St James' Church, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3FD

Telephone
07889 654979

camino.ingles@walking.holiday

Reading

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…
Thames River Cruise

Address

Caversham Pier, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8BD

Telephone
0118 948 1088

bookings@thamesrivercruise.co.uk

READING

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…
Select Serviced Accomodation

Address

Reading

Telephone
0330 900 5881

info@selectservicedaccommodation.com

Reading

Discover our 13 exceptional apartments in the heart of Reading, offering a mix of stylish 1 and 2-bedroom homes, some nestled within historic listed buildings.
California Chalet and Touring Park

Address

Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG40 4HU

Telephone
0118 973 3928

WOKINGHAM

Situated in beautiful Berkshire countryside we are open all year round – 12 months, 4 seasons where each one brings its own highlights to the surrounding area. We provide the perfect setting to relax and to spend quality time in an impressive and…
De Vere Wokefield Estate golf course

Address

Wokefield Park, Mortimer, READING, Berkshire, RG7 3AE

READING

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.
Tours 2 Order

Address

READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DP

Telephone
07827 715353

info@tours2order.com

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…
White Stuff

Address

The Oracle (Lower Level), Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 234 6667

Reading

Fashion chain selling clothes and accessories for men and women, some with nature-inspired prints.
The Ale House

Address

2 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

Telephone
0118 950 8119

Reading

Tucked on the corner of Broad Street amid the coffee shops, The Ale House is a back-street locals pub right in the centre of town. There is said to have been a pub on...
Double-Barrelled Brewery and Tap Room

Address

Unit 20 Stadium Way, Tilehurst, READING, Berkshire, RG30 6BX

Telephone
0118 942 8390

READING

You can visit us on Fridays and Saturdays at our on-site taproom, where we serve a wide variety of beers direct from our warehouse cold store, where our beer is continuously stored between 4-5 degrees, keeping it in the best condition possible for…
The Collective

Address

Church Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7AA

Telephone
0118 327 2728

hello@thecollectivecaversham.co.uk

Reading

Award-winning Speciality Coffee Shop & Lifestyle Store
Las Iguanas

Address

The Oracle Riverside, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
023 8214 5522

reading@iguanas.co.uk

Reading

Introducing a slice of South American life at Las Iguanas – Reading, with sizzling Mexican & Southern American dishes alongside our legendary cocktail menu. Perfectly located on the Riverside next to The Oracle Shopping Centre, next to Vue Cinema.…
Reading Football Club Conference and Events

Address

Select Car Leasing Stadium, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0FL

Telephone
0118 968 1333

READING

Located inside the spectacular Select Car Leasing Stadium (previously The Madejski Stadium), our events and conference centre combines first-class facilities with the heritage of the iconic Reading Football Club. Whatever your plans, our event…
Parthian Climbing Reading

Address

Britten Road, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0AU

Telephone
0118 975 6298

READING

We have over 175 dedicated top rope and lead routes, with a variety of grades, styles from some of the UK’s best setters! Our routes are reset on a quarterly basis to also keep things this fresh and interesting for our climbers.
Test Event Product

Address

Test Descrition
London Camera Exchange

Address

7-11 Station Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LG

Telephone
0118 959 2149

reading@lcegroup.co.uk

Reading

Specialist supplier of new and used cameras, lenses, binoculars and photographic equipment.
The Cocktail Club

Address

5-6 Gun Street, Reading, RG1 2JR

Reading

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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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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