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Thames River Cruise
© Reading UK/Great West Way
Palmer Park community pool
Thames River Cruise
© Reading UK/Great West Way
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-...Read More

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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Super Star Nails and Beauty

Address

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

Telephone
0118 958 8875

Reading

Nail salon in Reading town centre.
Carluccio's

Address

Davidson House, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EY

Telephone
0118 958 3095

reading@carluccios.com

Reading

Carluccio's food is freshly prepared on the premises everyday using the best, freshest and natural ingredients, where possible from Italy...
Flexistay Reading West ApartHotel

Address

Bath Road, Padworth, READING, Berkshire, RG7 5HT

Telephone
0118 971 3282

info@flexistay.com

READING

Located less than 5 minutes’ drive from Junction 12 of the M4, Flexistay Reading West Aparthotel is ideally situated for corporates, contractors and leisure guests. Reading town centre is just a 20-minute drive away and the towns of Newbury,…
Reading Museum

Address

Blagrave Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1QH

Telephone
0118 937 3400

READING

Situated in Reading’s Victorian Town Hall, the Museum tells the story of Reading from its Saxon beginnings to the high-tech town it is today. Explore ten galleries of historic and artistic objects. Discover archaeology from Roman Silchester and…
Q Club

Address

Friar Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DB

READING

A 920 capacity club in the centre of Reading split over two floors and two rooms, the venue has been home to some of the biggest events the town has seen over the past 10 years. With a state of the art lighting and sound system and the town's…
H&M

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AS

Telephone
0344 736 9000

Reading

Chain retailer selling on-trend clothing, swimswear, accessories and shoes for men, women and children.
Premier Inn Winnersh

Address

Reading Road, Winnersh, WOKINGHAM, Berkshire, RG41 5HQ

Telephone
0118 338 3730

WOKINGHAM

With so many handy transport links nearby, our Premier Inn Winnersh hotel is in a great location. You'll only be a five-minute walk away from the Winnersh Triangle train station, making it easy for you to explore Reading. Discover local parks like…
WHSmith

Address

39 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AA

Telephone
0118 959 4252

Reading

WHSmith is a high-street retailer that offers a range of products including books, stationary, magazines, newspapers and entertainment products.
The Gym

Address

St. Marys Butts, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2LN

READING

The Gym Group believe that fitness should be fun, flexible and affordable. That is why they are open 24 hours a day, so you can eat, sleep, train and repeat regardless of your schedule. They are proud to be the cheapest contract-free gym in town…
Premier Inn Reading Central

Address

Letcombe Street, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2HN

Telephone
0333 321 8345

readingcentral.pi@premierinn.com

READING

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.
Terry's Reading Walkabouts

Address

READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DP

Telephone
07505 351517

terry.dixon89@virginmedia.com

READING

Guided walks around Reading from local enthusiast Terry. There are 13 themed walks plus 3 New ones (2022) to choose from, including Town Centre, Architecture, Crime & Punishment, Photographic Heritage walks. Terry' s Walks are non-profit making and…
Blagrave Rooms

Address

7 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PJ

Telephone
07966 263 843

bookings@blagraverooms.co.uk

Reading
Yours

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
01189 574095

READING

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! The UK’s…
Next

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AP

Telephone
0333 005 5140

Reading

Next, styled as next, is a British multinational clothing, footwear and home products retailer.
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.…
The Bag Shop

Address

41 Market Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2DG

Telephone
0118 959 9959

Reading

Looking for a stunning and durable bag for work or leisure? For a wide choice of bags in Reading pop into The Bag Shop!
Sure Hotel Best Western

Address

39 Christchurch Road, READING, Berkshire, RG2 7AN

Telephone
0118 931 1311

READING

Whether you're sightseeing, working or visiting Reading University, you can expect clean, comfortable and affordable accommodation for the budget conscious traveller at Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading. This eye-catching red and grey brick…
Hotel Chocolat

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 959 1588

Reading

Hotel Chocolat is a British chocolatier and cocoa grower, with over seventy shops in the United Kingdom. Hotel Chocolat is the only company in the United Kingdom to grow cocoa on its own plantation.
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…
Döner & Gyros

Address

43-35 Broad Street, Reading, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 950 7200

Reading

Döner & Gyros is a casual fast-food restaurant that serves healthy, delicious and affordable products. We take traditional sandwiches and give them an urban and modern twist. Since opening our first store 2014, we’ve come a long way. At Döner &…

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