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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do

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 Caversham Lakes Aqua Park
Open from May-September, the main Aqua Park at Caversham Lakes is open to the whole family. The on-the-water obstacle course is a must-try for adventure-seeking families and has a minimum age of 6 years old (participants must be competent swimmers). In the summer, visit the family beach which welcomes children of all ages – and there’s lots of other activities and nature trails to keep everyone happy.

Palmer Park swimming pool is a new indoor leisure facility. 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.

Channel your inner detective at Reading’s Escape Rooms
Reading is home to five 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), 10+ (TimeTrap) 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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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…
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
01189 481088

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…
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 seven 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…
Subway - Gun Street

Address

7 Gun Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2JR

Telephone
0118 939 3424

Reading

Subway is a privately held American fast food restaurant franchise that primarily purveys submarine sandwiches and salads.
Harris Arcade

Address

Harris Arcade, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DN

READING

Harris Shopping Arcade is an original Art Deco gem hidden away near the town center in Reading.
Full of Unique & Independent shops, take a slow wander through and see what we have to offer !
The Oracle Shopping Centre

Address

The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG

Reading

The Oracle is the leading regional shopping centre in the Thames Valley with a wide range of shopping and dining brands, including Apple, Hollister and House of Fraser
Skipton Building Society

Address

30 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1TG

Telephone
0118 959 0409

Reading

Savings, mortgages, pensions and investments - plan for your life ahead with Skipton Building Society.
Reading Rep Theatre

Address

Kings Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 4LY

READING

Reading’s resident professional theatre combines high-class productions with ground-breaking education and community engagement to help transform Reading and the surrounding area’s cultural landscape. With tickets from as little as £5 Reading Rep is…
Siren Craft Brew

Address

18 Alberto House, Marino Way, Finchampstead, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG40 4RF

WOKINGHAM

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.…
Co-space

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
020 80661761

hello@co-space.co.uk

READING

Our Reading meeting rooms are easily accessible and can hold up to 36 people. All our meeting rooms are available for hire by members and non-members alike and provide a confidential space which are equipped with plug and play TV and video…
Miniso

Address

11 Broad Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

READING

MINISO is a fun design-led lifestyle retail store for all the family, offering a full range of high-quality and innovative products including toys, tech, stationery, accessories, homeware, food, health, and beauty - all for great value.

MINISO…
Alpaca walking at Bozedown Farm

Address

Hardwick Road, Whitchurch On Thames, READING, Berkshire, RG8 7QY

Telephone
0118 984 3827

info@bozedown-alpacas.co.uk

READING

Come and enjoy a fascinating walk in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside. Lead an alpaca around our alpaca farm which nestles between the edge of the Chilterns and the River Thames. Learn more about these attractive, enigmatic creatures that…
Decathlon

Address

Forbury Retail Park, Reading, RG1 3HS

Telephone
0118 9569151

Reading

Decathlon is a family-owned company, founded in 1976, and inspired by the belief that the best sports products should be accessible to everyone. Ever-evolving and high performance design, the best quality at the lowest possible price, and expert…
Schuh

Address

54 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AF

Telephone
0118 391 3865

Reading

On-trend chain selling own-label and branded shoes, boots and trainers for adults and children.
Las Iguanas

Address

The Oracle Riverside, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 956 6200

reading@iguanas.co.uk

Reading

Las Iguanas Reading restaurant is in a great location along Riverside and is home to fresh & authentic Mexican, Brazilian & South American food & cocktails...
Hobbs

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 958 2451

Reading

Women's clothing store selling self-designed, stylish and luxurious fashion with new selections every season.
Cocoon Hair & Beauty

Address

18 Cross Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SN

Telephone
0118 951 1114

Reading

Beauty salon offering hair cuts, treatments, skin care and more.
The Blagrave Arms

Address

35 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PW

Telephone
0118 958 6775

theblablareading@gmail.com

Reading

Stylish gay-friendly bar with fantastic champagne and wine menu. Gorgeous decor, great atmosphere and regular live entertainment and events, including karaoke every Thursday, and just a stone's throw from the station...
Skechers

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Skechers is the comfort technology company, where you’ll find the best selection of lifestyle and performance footwear for men, women and kids. Choose from countless options including the latest athletic, casual and fashion sneakers as well as…

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do

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