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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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Blue Collar Corner

Address

Hosier Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2LN

READING

In March 2022, we turned this derelict and abandoned yard into Blue Collar Corner - Reading’s newest independent venue and our first permanent site. Featuring 1 bar, 2 floors & 4 kitchens, a huge beer garden in the Summer and with cover in the…
Prezzo

Address

228 King Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HF

Telephone
0118 959 6092

prezzo228@prezzoplc.co.uk

Reading

Modern Italian dining in a stylish and elegant setting, providing the perfect surroundings to make any occasion a celebration...
Holland and Barrett

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0330 058 2640

READING

Holland & Barrett is the UK's leading retailer of vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements. This store is one of our new style stores, complete with many new features including a help yourself fruit, nuts, seeds and snacks Pick and Mix gondola, our…
Co-space

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
020 80661761

hello@co-space.co.uk

READING

Co-Space boasts 16 spacious,fully furnished office suites available to rent, ranging from between 2 person, up to 50+ person spaces, available with a range of flexible level membership options suit individual needs and changing requirements.
JD Gyms Reading

Address

Reading Link Retail Park, Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 0SN

Telephone
0118 227 9881

reading@jdgyms.co.uk

Reading

Located in Reading Link Retail Park, JD Gyms Reading is an incredible fitness facility which is open 24 hours.
Warhammer

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QA

READING

Building, painting and playing with the best fantasy miniatures in the world. A Warhammer store is the gateway to a range of exciting hobby activities that can provide hours of fun, whether enjoying Warhammer alone, with friends and family, or…
Bill's

Address

St Mary's Church House, Chain Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX

Telephone
020 4512 6642

Reading

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…
Games City

Address

Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 958 2760

Reading

Independent retailer offering second hand games, consoles, phones, technology and more, as well as buying unwanted goods.
Apple Store

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 925 4500

Reading

Apple retail store selling iPhones, iPads & more in sleekly designed spaces.
Walking.Holiday - Kennet & Avon Canal

Address

Purley Village, Purley On Thames, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 8AF

Telephone
0118 466 4007

Reading

We are a Reading-based walking holiday company who offer a nine day self-guided itinerary along the 94 mile Kennet & Avon Canal from Reading to Bristol. Our packages include B&B accommodation, daily baggage transfers, and a Pilgrims' Pack that…
Rimzi

Address

84 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AP

Telephone
0118 909 0805

Reading

Hair & Beauty supplies stores bringing you the best Hair & Skin care products, Hair Extensions, Salon/Barber supplies
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.
Church of Our Lady and St Anne

Address

2 South View Avenue, Caversham, READING, Berkshire, RG4 5AB

READING

Built 1902-21, it includes a shrine chapel, re-designed between 1954-58 to include the external squint on South View Avenue for observance by passers-by. This has a large 500-year old oak statue of Our Lady and Child. The shrine was redecorated in…
Ernest Jones

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Diamond and watch specialist, Ernest Jones, has a stunning range of jewellery and accessories in contemporary and classic designs – the perfect gift for yourself, or someone close to you.
At the store you’ll find some of the world’s finest, most…

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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